Debbie R.

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Obesity & Me

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

I remember my mother taking me to the doctor when I was maybe 8 or 9 years old and the doctoe bribing me with a pretty little gift all wrapped up for Christmas. He said I could have it when I lost 4lbs. well I didn't get that present till Valentine's Day. The kids I played with called me tub-o-lard or fatso. I took tap dancing lesson till I was 15 and stopped when the instructor continued to teach dances that were rather provocative and had costumes that were a little too skimpy for a chubette!! When I was in Junior/Senior high I weighed around 160-170 and I am 5'3".I was never asked out on a date till after I graduated from High School.And I married him. Each child put weight on me and after the 4th one (now21) i weighted about 275lbs.

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

The worse thing about being overweight... a few things. My daughter when 3ish would say mommy your fat, she is 21 now and says she is sorry ...but you know and I know she doesn't really remember saying it and didn't know the hurt she caused. Also not being able to move around and dance. I took dance lessons till I was 15 years old and plan on going back to tapping!!

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

I went back to class and performed on stage Did an Irish tap, a hiphop and jazz routines.... loved it. Have put some weight back on... :(. Headed to the gym...

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

I had a girlfriend who had some form of surgery 26 yrs ago and she still has problems today, so I did not want to do this till a co-workers husband and my cousin went thru the surgery.They are fine today and "we" all know so much more about this surgery today then we did 26 yrs ago.

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

I am awaiting my approval as I write this. I have Cigna and they require 6 months of supervised appointments. All I know is: find out what they require...call them..ask what you need to do to have this approved before you start down the road. I got the word today I am approved..Dr's appt was Aug 3rd and today Aug 10 they called and said everything was a GO

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

My Dr is Connie Campbell at Manchester's CMC hospital. She was very soft spoken and to the point, letting me know what she would do during surgery and what could happen to me if something went wrong. Have a list ready and ask all the questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was sick and tired of being fat. Not being able to where the style clothes I used to...... I can not dance anymore because my feet and legs hurt so much. OI have type 2 diabete now, my blood pressue is slowing going up,altho it is with-in normals ranges and I just don't want to do much anymore.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The lap band is not for me.....I do not want to have to return for adjustments.

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?

My friends are with me 100%......some of my co-workers are sceptical and of course some of them say just diet!!!! I have 4 children 2 boys 29 and 26 and 2 girls 22 and 21. the girls were the 1st to know and they are ok with it...they were both very heavy when they were 12 & 13(weraing size 18-20 to 24-24). the older girl is still heavy (sz18ish) but the younger one wheres 12ish. I hesitated telling the oldest because he sees everything from the dark side :) he said "its risky mom" and i said its risky being fat. He is ok with this now and then there is my 26yrs old...he was heavy from day 1 but a "cute" heavy..if you know what I mean.He played popwarner football and little league...people used to say watch him run, his feet seemed to go a mile a minute but he didn't go very far....well he thinned out when he got to 7th grade and he has since then worked-out and drinks protein drinks and he is all for mom doing what she needs to do to get healthy. ( we have a date for next spring to go skydiving together). My husband does not know that I will be having surgery in less than 2 months. He is not supportive at all and he may not need to be supportive ...if there is no one there to support. Aug 1st ...I told him and all he could say was We won't be able to go out to eat!!

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

I have known my supervisor for over 35yrs...before I graduated from HS and before marriage and children. She too is "chubby" and has had to deal with weight issues. When I told her she was OK with it and wanted to know more about the surgery. Another co-worker is doing surgery and the husband of another co-worker has already had surgery.

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

I went in for surgery Sept 6th @ 6am and went home Sept 8th @ 7pm. Just bring something loose to wear home.

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

I was really sore from the surgery. I had Lap surgery but it was still pretty difficult getting in/out of bed and using the bathroom. 2-2.5 weeks and all of that was ok. I was drinking good and stating to eat starined baby food -fruit, pureed fish and chicken, jello,pudding and of course the protein drink. BUT, 2.5 weeks out i have become lactose intolerant. I am now trying other sources of protein.

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

I only had to go about 15 miles.

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

Due to not feeling very good 2.5 weeks out I have not done too much for activity. Hoping a change from the protein shake will make me feel better and start walking while we still have good weather. I suppose to check out gyms this week.

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

I have to take Actigal for gall stones or should I say to prevent them, Previacid solutab to prevent ulcers and I take a chewable vitamin 4x/day with everything we need.

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?

Due to the recent lactose intolerance ...I am feeling a little nausea and have had dumping for 3 days.
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Before & After
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