Tracy S.

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Obesity & Me

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

I struggled with weight issues since entering high school. I tried everything on the market from Weight Watchers to Atkins. I was physically active in sports and marching band. I hated being in pictures and hated buying clothes. I basically hated myself for getting bigger and bigger with no control over it.

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

Limitations were the worst part of being overweight. I wanted to do all the things I have dreamed of and was losing that battle. I couldn't go horseback riding in the ocean, couldn't ride certain rides at theme parks, couldn't fit in stadium seats at professional sports venues. Life was not fun.

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

Everything! Sitting in a booth, playing with my kids, shopping for normal sizes, crossing my legs, dancing, fitting in chairs with arms, walking all over the place with no pain or getting tired. Life is great!

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

My older sisters had it and I was totally jealous and intrigued. I wanted to see my life become normal like theirs did. I wanted to be myself and do anything I wanted to do without limitations.

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

I didn't have any problems getting approved but they did lose the file. I had to make numerous calls and stay on the insurance company to get it done. It took 2 months.

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

I thought our first meeting was awesome. Dr. Gupta was very helpful and honest with me about what to expect and what could happen. I thought the staff was very helpful and informative.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Having to ask for lapbelt extensions to fly on an airplane and not being able to wear seatbelts in a car. I felt horribly embarrassed! My health started getting worse and I was only 40!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I evaluated myself for strengths and weaknesses and decided that they RNY was a very strict and disciplined program that I needed. I felt it would keep me in line the best of any of the processes.

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?

I really didn't have too many fears. I try to face everything with a positive attitude. I decided that if I was going to do this, I would only look forward and face things with a good attitude. I have total confidence in my surgeon. So, I say, fear is a wasted emotion... think positive and go for it!

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?

Most of my family was very supportive. I have one daughter that was very negative about it. I know now that it is jealous and she is very emotional about it. She will someday be facing the same decision that I have made. I think she is bitter because she wants to be thin too. She is almost a carbon copy of me and knows that she will fight obesity her whole life unless she has the surgery someday.

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

I was off work for a two week period of vacation. She was very negative but she always treated me poorly. So, I dont think my supervisor was a good example.

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

My stay at St. Vincent's was great. The staff was terrific. I was treated wonderfully. I was there just about 28 hours after surgery. My best advice is to take tank tops to wear between your binder and yourself. It will keep it from making you sore, sweaty and itchy. Bring chapstick and some good walking shoes.

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

None, I have been very fortunate.

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 got my date just a week before my wedding and my honeymoon. I really didn't have time to think too much about it. I stayed busy with my testing and travel. The hardest part was just waiting that last few days. I made a notebook for my measurements and food diary and notes.

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

The first two weeks were the hardest. I made a schedule for all my supplements and vitamins. I made a routine for getting in my walks and I read a lot of materials on the web about WLS. I read up on recipes that I could use and divide up to freeze for when I returned to work. Take things slow but move every chance you get so that you will heal faster and soreness will go away.

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

I live about 2 hours from my surgery center. My aftercare was not really affected since St. Vincents has a very organized and prepared program for it's patients to follow.

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.

Early out I could not eat fish at all. I tend to have a hard time with Chicken. I do best with turkey and ham. I still can't eat carrots for some reason. After about 12 weeks out, I found that I could start to tolerate more foods and could try small quantities of things to see if they set well. Now that I am nearly 7 months out, I can tolerate most any food I choose to try. I am still very cautious and only try foods that are health for the most part. I see a progression in my food choices which is nice and I feel now that I am not really limited at all by the pouch friendly foods because there are so many of them to chose from.

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

I was able to walk after surgery with no problem. Within a few short days, I was walking several times a day and making up to 3 miles total for the day. I was cautious about things until I got the approval by Dr. Gupta. She was very encouraging and I have had no real problems adapting to the new lifestyle. I am more active now than I have been in years!

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

b12 sublingual once a week, b1 once a week, biotin, calcium citrate, multi vitamin, and vitamin D.

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

There are no support groups in my area. I am planning to try and start one. I have used OH boards to help me with my support and questions. It is one of the most important parts of my life now. I have made so many awesome friends and connections. The Indiana board rocks!

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

I can hardly find my scars. They are so small and unnoticeable that they don't even bother me. I have far worse ones. They are better than I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have hit a couple stalls. The hardest part has been the emotional toll they seem to take on me. However, I was told to measure myself before surgery and I do this once a month. So when the stalls happen... I check inches and they are still going away. It helps.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Some people, yes, but mostly my extended family. I have had strangers comment that they dont know why I needed the surgery. But they never saw the big me. I notice more how others treat severely obese people now. I guess it wasn't as noticeable to me when I was one of them. I just accepted it. But now.... it makes me sad for them.
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