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Obesity & Me

Describe your behavioral and emotional battle with weight control before learning about bariatric surgery.

I was to the point where I didn't know what else to do, I had been on every diet imaginable and the weight kept coming on. Once I was diagnosed with diabetes I really kicked it into gear, my blood sugar was/is under control, I was eating correct and exercising with a trainer...but maintaining my weight. I felt like a failure, weight loss was the one thing I could never succeed at, no matter how much I put into it. I finally decided to go to an informational session with my (at the time) fiance, and even then I was dead set on having Lap Band because I didn't want to do anything permanent. After meeting with Dr. Needleman, I think I truly faced my reality of exactly how much I had to lose to have the life that I wanted and I oped for the Roux-en-Y.

What was (is) the worst thing about being overweight?

The worst thing is the self-doubt that comes along with being obese. You are constantly critcizing yourself, thinking that others are judging you and feeling as if you are a failure.

If you have had weight loss surgery already, what things do you most enjoy doing now that you weren't able to do before?

Surprisingly, exercise. I recently injured my back and I am going stir-crazy being unable to bike, run and swim. My physical therapy is in the pool and I look out at the calm water just waiting for laps and my therapist has to remind me, 'no, not yet!'. It is the greatest journey of my life and I can't wait to see what comes next. I love the excitement of being able to try new things, of having more energy than I can honestly remember ever having before in my life.

How did you first find out about bariatric surgery and what were your initial impressions of it?

I had two sorority sisters from college have the surgery, both did great. I knew it worked for some people but up until recently I had always said I would never have it. I thought it was too permanent and it would mean I was a failure.

Describe your experience with getting insurance approval for surgery. What advice, if any, do you have for other people in this stage?

I don't have insurance approval. I am taking out an additional student loan to pay for my surgery. I look at it as an investment in my future, I'm going to do what I have to in order to take this necessary step. I believe I will more than make up for the cost by being able to work more years that I would be able to without the surgery!

What was your first visit with your surgeon like? How can people get the most out of this meeting?

My surgeon was awesome! He went over the details of the procedure. I am very detail oriented and curious so he indulged me in going over schematics. Ask any questions you have, your surgeon will be more than willing to go over them!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

During my information session I saw all these people weighing less than I do with conditions I haven't developed yet. During one of my evaluations I saw an individual who was extremely large and unable to walk more than 5 or 6 steps without sitting and I saw myself in 10 years and knew there was no way I could have the life I want if I didn't take the risk and make the change.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I came into the process wanting the lap band because I considered it less permanent. The more research I did, and the more I discussed the option with my endocrinologist, I determined that the gastric bypass was the best option. I have a long way to go and the lap band just won't help me lose the weight I need to.

What fears did you have about having complications or even dying from from the surgery, and what would you tell other people having the same fears now?

The fears are outweighed by the benefits. I was scared, this is a major surgery, but my anxiousness to have the surgery far outweighed the fear. When I got scared I would just think about how much more time in a hospital I would have if I didn't have this surgery and what my life would be life if the weight kept piling on. The most amazing thing happened one year after my surgery. I posted an update to one of my social networking sites, I often do this at milestones. I had kind of felt like maybe I was bragging by doing all this (except for the fact my brother was in Afghanistan at the time and I wanted him to recognize me when he came home!). A friend from high school messaged me and told me that watching my journey had helped him get over the fear of looking into the surgery. I don't have one thing I tell people, I just tell them my story.

How did your family and friends react to your decision? Would you have communicated anything differently if you could now? How supportive were they after your surgery?

I thought they would consider me a failure, especially my parents. But they have been so supportive, my parents just want me to be happy and live the life I want. I think that is the ultimate lesson I have learned from this process so far. Less than a year after surgery I married the love of my life and the fact that my parents and my husband laughed that the alterations to my dress cost nearly as much as the dress itself made me realize exactly how supportive they were.

How did your employer/supervisor react to your decision? What did you tell him/her? How long were you out of work?

My employer was so supportive of the seemingly endless doctors appointments.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

The session put a lot of my preconceptions and fears about the surgery to rest. It also gave me the information I needed to be able to discuss the option with friends and family.

What was your stay in the hospital like? How long where you there? What things are most important to bring?

I was in the hospital for 3 days. The staff was amazing. I recommend bringing some sort of lip balm, I got burt's bees as a gift before surgery from a friend, it was a life saver. The hospital provided socks and plenty of blankets as well as a robe for when you were up walking around. I don't remember must of the day of surgery. I brought my laptop and a magazine and barely used both, not really necessary. An ipod isn't a bad idea, lucky my room had a music only tv channel that my mom put on while I was trying to fall asleep, it was soothing.

Did you have any complications from the surgery? If so, how did you deal with them?

None to date!

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

I actually missed food, not so much eating it, I wasn't hungry, but the smells made me miss the taste. I had mine right before Christmas so be prepared if its around the holidays to have a few twinges of missing it! They pass quickly though.

Describe your first few weeks home from the hospital. What should people expect from this period?

I slept so much more than I thought I would, don't be alarmed! I didn't eat too much the first few days home, but then I felt my appetite slowly coming back. When you start to wean yourself off the pain meds, make sure you take one before bed, I would wake up in the middle of the night with pain if I didn't.

How far did you travel to have your surgery? (If far, how did this affect your aftercare?)

8 miles.

What was your actvity level in the days and weeks after surgery?

The first week home I had a low activity level, I spent most of my day in the recliner because of the pain but about a week in a half after I was up and moving around, just couldn't bend all the way over yet.

What vitamins and/or dietary supplements have you taken since your surgery?

Prenatals, B12, vitamin D (I live in Ohio, there's no sunshine!), and I took some Iron supplements to help my hair grow back for my wedding.

What side effects (nausea, vomiting, sleep disturbace, dumping, hair loss etc.) were worse for you? For how long after surgery did they persist? How did you cope with them?

The hair loss was probably the worst for me, mainly because I knew I was getting married and I wanted to have hair on my wedding day. It started growing back just when they said it would and I did take some additional supplements to help strengthen it. Just following the instructions helped me cope.

What is your scar like? Is this what you expected?

I have 5 little scars, they are much smaller than I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I plateaued a little in October, just very slow weight loss, maybe a half pound a week. Since then it has stepped back up a little, I'm sure it was wedding stress.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I do, professionally I feel I am being taken more seriously and I feel more confident in my appearance. Personally, my friends are always amazed when they see me and I have had some twinges of jealous from some family members who have been putting on weight.
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Before & After
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ARE YOU READY TO PAY IT FORWARD & SHARE YOUR JOURNEY? Your journey will help highlight the many ways weight loss surgery improves lives and makes a difference in our families, communities and world. EACH JOURNEY COUNTS as a voice towards greater awareness.

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