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Obesity & Me

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

I have been unhappy with my own weight for about 7 yrs.. I have seen counselors, doctors, nutritionalist, friends and family to try and fix this weight issue in my life with no lasting luck. It is one of those times in life that I feel like I've been banging my head against the wall trying to fix myself with no real luck. Every diet including ones with pills have been found to never last long. DEPRESSION, big word for me and always difficult to share. I always felt ashamed of my sadness because I did not have what ever it takes to shake this weight alone. Medication helps, but honestly I think about my weight from the time I wake up in the morning until I finaly fall of into the dream world. I have felt the failure more times then I can count. I the disapointed looks people give when I fail at yet another atempt of healing what makes me so sad, you got it this dam weight. It is like a mask on my life, a dark one that I wish I could make disapear for others. I know and feel the pain the not only physicaly but emotionaly comes with not having control of your own body..

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

Hum, worst thing would probably be my lack of intamcy with my husband over this past 7 years. I hate what I see in the mirror. So of course I feel how can he like what he sees or feels. Jelly rolls on a person are soft but not very pretty. This began as just my problem, but after 7 years of pushing someone away because of my own perseption of my yuckness, creates a not so romantic partnership. I have been married 15 years this September yet steel feel ashamed of the changes in my own body and happiness for the both of us.

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

Wow, you name it. Everything in my life that I enjoyed and some I didnt before are now fun and i look forward too. Swimming, going to the gym, getting dressed to taking a shower. I just simply am no longer discussed with myself really.

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

About 3 yrs ago I had a doctor tell me it is something I should maybe look into. Of course this was after a cholesterol reading of 352, plus months of working with a dietician with no real improvements. WLS seemed so extreame at first, I honestly never felt like I could go without being able to eat sweats or other comfort foods.

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

I have gotten only my referal at this point. But I will keep you posted as my progress continues. So far it has been a good experience. 8/14/07- big day saw the docs and the ball is rolling looks like if all goes as planned surgery will be mid september. O.k. as far as insurance. Get all your pre op requirements and paper work done as quick as possible. Then submit, We will be submitting to insurance on Monday.

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

Dr.Scot will be my surgeon. Today I met with dr.Suttlmoeler at MBS. He was amazing. Totaly put my mind at ease about everything. Luckinly I had either completed everything before our appointment or this week. The Dr. and office were so complete that there was nothing other then listening and counting on my support person to help me take in all the information :). It has been a good experience thus far.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I am ready to take back control over my own life, even if I need my sureon to help me regain that. I decided that I can do this. The biggest reason why I did not want to have the surgery is obvious, yep FOOD! That is always my weakness, when there is emotion there is one food or another that is perfect for the occasion :). So I am hopeing to begin a new me with the support of my families and friends.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

RESEARCH, lots and lots. Actualy about 4 years worth. My stopping power with food is just absent. Because for a very long time it has been my best friend and my biggest enemy. Lap-band is not proven to be successful enough for the way I want to change my life. I want to do RNY because I feel it is a life tool that is about as permenant as I can get. Basicaly I am just ready for change, RNY is the best for me.

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?

Of course dying during the operation or complication is in my mind. I have two absolutely amazing kids who still need me to be around (no punt intended) for a long time. But I know that the way my life is headed I would have been cutting it short without this surgery. I want to be around for a long time, I also believe if it is our time then it's our time. So surgery is in gods hand (and my surgon, and I have total faith that it will go well and be very successful for me.

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?

Surgery s still yet to happen. But when I told my parents and my sister in July that I decided to go forward with WLS they were very happy for me. They have been so worried these past years watching my health decline because of the weight. Now my husband, hum a hole new thing. He write now feeld that I should just buck up and make it happen without WLS. But if I could do it, it would have happend by now. That I promise you. His overal support come like this. "Honey, you know I will support you in what ever you do." So that is were I am at with that. I am not worried, we have been married 15yrs. next month. I know that when he see me transform into the healthy young spirit I use to be that he will come full circle to be behind me.

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

N/A

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

Hospital stay was good. 1st night I had a shared room. 2nd night was given a private. Of course the private was nice, my husband was able to stay in the room with me that night. They reealy gave me everything I would need while there. I liked that I had a comfy pillow from home.

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

Only complication and I am told thaat it is rare that this happens. My drainage tube had moved and caused me some pain, sort of like apendisitis would feel. They removed the drain Sunday in the ER and the pain was gone.

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 was excited to know life was about to change, in many more ways then just weight. Feared the food factor the most. When anxiety would kick in which it did I would talk to a friend (hubby) or read others logs on OH.

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

This is a tuff one, I am just 2 weeks out. I have had a few pretty good break downs about, did I make the right choice? Usualy when I get the most sad is when I am bored and food was my bordom vice. I would go out to dinner, run to mcDs. for a bite to eat etc.. Now when I am bored I can walk, eat jello, feel frustrated. I know with time this will pass and I really look forward to the day.

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

We live about 1 1/2 hour from Columbia, MO. were I had the surgery. Luckily the ride home was not to bad. Some good pain meds and a reclined chair, I was good to go.

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.

First week was broth (chicken), sugar free jello and water. Yep that was about it. 2nd week same but I had a little taste of some potatoe soup, and a few pureed spaghetti noodles. This comming week I get to add soups (pureed style). Realy looking forward to it.

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

1st week was pretty slow because I had some problems with my drain. 2nd week was great I have been walking every couple hours, resting and have added arm exercises.

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

I am using building blocks vitamins, the Dr.s' office recomends them because they are made for patient of Bariatric surgery. They taste great and there are only three that give me everything I need.

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

I think it is super important. there is really not one closer then about an 1 1/2 away. I use OH and a few of the members I have shared the experience with as my suport. 10mo. out now still no support groups in area but it would be great if there was one.

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

Not a big thing really, 6 openings 2 had just 2 staples, 1 ad 3 staples and other 3 had 4 staples. The lower left one had the drain and one big black stitch that was sort of inside and out. 2 weeks out, I have begun useing vitamin e oil on them and they are healing great. 10 mo. out now and with useing the kukui nut oil from hawaii since surgery my scars are almost invisable.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Day of surgery I was down to 212 lbs. today I am 203lbs.. I am now 10 mo. out and have reached and passed original weight goal set for me. I am healthy and happy. There has been a few plateau's but it last as long as it last then you start loosing again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I am 4 months out now, yes people act differently. Probable because I have become a really different person. I am almost to gaol weight and feeling great. It is just hard to keep explainging to everyone what happen and how I lost the weight.. I am very proud of myself though.
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