DeannaSmiles

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Obesity & Me

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

I have battled with my weight since I was about 20 years old or so. I was always the one who you thought never ate, then I hit 20 and boy could you tell that I loved food. Through the past 20 years I have averaged about 8lbs per year. I am an emotional eater, I use food to comfort me.

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

Not being able to walk alot and not being able to cross my legs

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

Riding roller coasters with my son

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

I have several friends that have had the surgery done. At first it scared me to death, but once I met Dr. Wynn I knew it was the right thing for me to do.

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

I haven't had any experience yet, I have called them to find out if I am a canidate and they said yes.

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

My first visit with Dr. Wynn was awesome. She explained everything perfectly. She told you all the pluses and minsus to the surgery. She was extremely helpful

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I wanted to live. If I kept going the way that I was I would be dead before I was 50.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Dr. Wynn's advice and the things that I have read

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?

At this point I don't have any fears.

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?

Some positive some negative. Some saying the old line, why have the surgery, just stop eating as much and you will lose weight. I wish it was that easy.

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

My manager was excited for me.

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

I was in the hospital for 2 nights and it well very well. I didn't sleep much because of them coming in every couple of hours but I didn't mind my stay at all.

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

NO

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 extremely calm about my decision to have the surgery. I was very excited for the day to get here. I knew I was doing the right thing

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

I have only been home 2 days, but I feel great. I can't believe that I had surgery at the being of the week.

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

3 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.

Right now I am on pureed foods and haven't had any problems with what I have tried so far.

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

Was able to do more then I thought. Came home on Wed and on Friday I went to the grocery store.

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

B-12, Walmart brand on a children's chewable, and Walmart brand on Tums

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

I have 5 different support group meetings that I can go to in my area. Because of work I haven't made but 2 of them, but will be there this month.

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

I have 4 smalls holes. Nothing major and they are fine

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have hit 2 plateaus so far. They each lasted about 2 weeks the first one scared me, by the time I was on the 2nd one I knew it would pass. I increased my protein and exercise and it passed.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

NO
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