jstbear01

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Obesity & Me

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

the typical yo-yo dieting. I tried a lot of fad diets and Weight Watchers.

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

Not be able to participate in physical activities with my children.

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

CROSS MY LEGS, I EVEN CROSS THEM IN THE CAR!!!

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

Three years before my surgery I spoke with my then primary care doctor. He talked me out of it because his good friend had passed away a few months prior due to the surgery. He put me on diet pills, until they were pulled. A year before the surgery, I just started reading about it more.

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

Read my profile.

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

Read profile

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I wanted to add some years to my life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Just by attending the seminar and speaking with Dr. Regan.

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?

Read profile.

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 would advise anyone considering the surgery to only tell you're immediate family. I only share it with one of my co-workers.

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

Didn't share with her. I'm sure many assumed I had the surgery. I've gotten great support from most of my co-workers.

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

The staff was wonderful. One great nurse. Bring a great attitude! Pray for the best and expect pain. I wasn't just uncomfortable. Really no pain. However my mother and husband was in real pain.

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

read profile

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

read profile

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

20 miles or so

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.

read profile

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

read profile

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

muliti vitamins iron b-12

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?

hair loss started many months later. PLEASE DRINK YOUR PROTIEN SHAKES!!

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

NOTHING! NOT ONE THING!

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

My family and Dr. Regan's staff

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

I had gallbladder surgery. Dr. Regan use the same scars, he only add to cut one additional opening.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, I'm still the same old June. People make all kinds of fat references now, I don't think they remember I was obese!
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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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