o2bnob

member photo member photo member photo member photo member photo member photo member photo member photo member photo member photo

Obesity & Me

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

I've been overweight atleast since I was in 3rd grade. I've been made fun of, called names and discriminated against for all of those years, even while attending a "Christian" college. People can be very cruel.

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

The thoughtlessness and insensitivity of people.

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

Being able to walk down the street in confidence, without fear of being heckled at. Climbing up rock hills in Tucson, Arizona on a recent vacation, right along with my teenagers. Not running out of breath while doing normal activites. Being able to fit in the seat on a ride at a theme park that I wasn't able to fit on the year before. I'd had to get off the ride in front of everyone, after 2 workers had tried ferverously to get the seat belt to close, holding up the ride for a couple of minutes. I could feel everyone staring at me.

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

I heard of it being advertised on T.V. back in the mid 1980's, and dreamed of having it, but knowing there was no way, since I didn't have insurance.

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

It was a very long and drawn out process, but oh so worth it. Don't give up and don't delay any process that you have control over, such as seeing the doctor on a regular basis and having them log any necessary notes about weight loss attempts.

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

My stay in the hospital was great. I'd heard some negative responses to the hospital that I was in, but I experienced only positve. I was there for 2 full days and 1/2 of the 3rd day.

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

I had no complications. I know that God was with me and that He saw me through the whole thing. God blessed me with an awesome surgeon, surgeon's assistant and the entire office staff.

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 felt great. The only thing that was such a big struggle was the emotions of not being able to eat the way I used to. It was all an emotional thing. I was glad I couldn't eat it all at the same time of wishing I could. I coped with it by spending a lot of time looking through clothing magazines and knowing that soon, I would be able to wear outfits like those advertised, and not just the boring clothes in the plus size section.

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

It's different for everyone. How well I did may not be how well the next person does. The most important thing I believe, beside faith in God, is that you have support from those around you. For me, it was my faith in God and my gratefulness to Him for bringing me through the surgery and for allowing me to have the surgery. I also had the support of people around me. I also know people who had major complications from their surgery. They had different surgeons though. One had, a not so good, surgeon and she had many complications. Another friend, with a different surgeon, had complications, but her surgery was done on an emergency basis, due to her uncontrolled diabetes. Because it was done as an emergency, she didn't have time to prepare emotionally for the surgery, nor was it something she was even desiring to have done. I wanted it for years, and was oh, so emotionally ready for it.

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

Only about 15 miles.

Please describe in detail what things you could and couldn't eat in the weeks and months following surgery. What foods have been off limits? Please explain how your dietary tolerance changed week-by-week, and then month-by-month since surgery.

The first week or two, I could only have clear liquids; broths, sugar-free jello, decaf. coffee, tea, sugar-free popsicles, etc. Then I could add in sugar-free pudding, cottage cheese, and other soft foods. What I can and can't eat now, 19 month later, varies. Obviously, I can't eat as much as a normal person, but how much I can eat varies even day to day now. There are times when I feel like throwing up after just a few bites, and then times when I feel like Wow, I can't believe I just ate that much.

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

I was able to do most anything as soon as I got home from the hospital.

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

Initially I took the Optisource brand, chewable, vitamins. Then I was on the Vista capsules as well as iron supplements and calcium citate, although not together at the same time as calcium cancels out the iron. Also, vitamin B-12 sublingual. Now I am just taking Juice Plus (just started 2 1/2 weeks ago) along with the B-12 sublingual. I also really try to keep up on Protein drinks. My ultimate favorite is the Nectar protein drinks; both the Roadside Lemonaid flavor and the Fuzzy Navel. Yummy!!! I also really like the Champion brand, chocolate flavored when it's blended with ice and a few shots of espresso.

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?

A couple months after surgery, I'd tried to eat some New England Clam Chowder and that was the worst experience I've ever had since surgery with nausea. Dumping was a minimal side effect. Even now, hair loss is an issue, if I don't get enough protein. If I stay really good with the protein, I don't notice a real problem. I still will throw up after eating, although very rarely, if the food I am eating decides it doesn't want to agree with me. There's no rhyme or reason to it, it doesn't even have to be a specific food. I could eat it one day, no problem; but then a week later it doesn't want to stay down. If I eat too much sweet stuff, I'll feel quesy beginning about 5 minutes after eating it and lasting for up to a half hour. Sometimes it'll be bad enough where I need to lay down for a while. Anything with fizz or air bubbles is a definite NO NO for me. I'll feel REALLY bad then. On New Year's eve I drank a sip of sparkling cider and woke up in the middle of the night shaking. It was not pleasant.

What was the worst part about the entire bariatric surgery process?

The worst part was after waking up from surgery clear to the next day when I was finally cleared to be able to drink something. The dry mouth that I had was horrendous.

What aftercare support group/program do you have? How helpful/important is this?

I go as often as possible to my surgeon's support groups which are offered locally twice a month. Sometimes I can only go once every couple of months, but try as often as I can. If I could, I'd go to both of the meetings each month just because it is so important to keep in touch, not only for the support of others in the group, but also to keep up to date on nutrition info. and other important news from the surgeons office.

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

My surgery was done laproscopically and so I only have 5 teeny tiny scars, which can barely even be seen. I don't know what I had expected, but I am pleased.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Oh, yes there have been plateaus. Nothing really significant until a little over a year out. But it had gotten to where I'd only lose a couple of pounds a month. Really depressing. Even though I walked a lot and was going to the gym a few times a week or more. Then, at a support group meeting, I learned that I should be incorporating resistance training (weights) into my workouts, and not just doing cardio. Then I was finally able to break out of the plateau. I still am losing very slowly, but not as bad.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Definitely. The ultimate best was when a lady from my old church that I used to attend, thought I was my "Skinnier" sister and called me by her name. I was at a wedding reception for my niece, and as I was walking away from the table she'd been sitting at with my dad and his wife, this lady called out "Debbie" trying to get my attention. I just kept on walking away, since I wasn't Debbie. Then I heard my dad's wife telling her, That's not Debbie, that's Laura". Oh, the grin on my face. The reason for my grin was not just because I was skinnier, but it was because this was the same lady that had just 1 and a half years earlier judged me for being "fat", in a really mean and spiteful way. Like I said earlier, OH, the smile on my face. :-)
show more answers

Before & After
Roll over to see after photo

before photo after photo

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.

Share Now
×