postalmoose

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Obesity & Me

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

I have been obese for 35 of my 46 years and have battled weight the whole time. Food and mainly portions have been my downfall. Emotional eating is a big problem and learning to control this is huge.

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

The way others look at you. The physical pain and uncomfortableness, the way it affects my social life and the things I have to give up because of it.

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 now ride my bike 10-20 miles regularly and exercise faithfully four times a week and love to do it for the first time in my life. Things like hiking and stuff will come as the weather gets better.

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

Six years ago my mother had RNY but it wasn't until three years go I finally started to study online about surgery. My initial impression of RNY was that no way I could do that to myself. When I found out about the Lap-Band I knew I cold do that.

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

My insurance is United Healthcare and they consider bariatric surgery to be a needed procedure. I have had no problems at all getting things pre-op approved.

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

Dr Snyder is a very outgoing and positive person. He is very supportive and told me the basics of the surgery. To get the most out of this meeting have questions ready to ask and ask alot of questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My blood pressure, which has been medically controlled, was rising. When I went in to get it checked I got a blood draw and two weeks later found out I was beginning to get diabetic. It was an easy choice from this point to get the surgery.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Lap Band was the only option I considered as the RNY procedure did not appeal to me at all.

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 family was very supportive. All thought is was a great choice and are happy that I am going to get healthy.

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

Haven't said much at work. They just knew I was doing surgery but not for why.

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 one day after surgery. The nurses at Rose Medical center 6c were great at taking care of us. There were a number of patients there and everything was taken care of.

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

None

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

My anxiety was about coordinating all the meals and protien and all that.

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

I took two weeks off just to completely recover enough for work. There was some pain but I did pain med for two days and that was it. Eating takes a lot of mental work to figure everything out you need to do to stay on plan.

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

20 minutes from the hospital. Easy for me to get to.

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

I was taking it easy for two weeks. But as time wentand the weight starting flying off, I felt beter and better and at three months I started working out. Now my energy is off the charts and I feel great. Five monmths out and 115 lbs. lost.

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

Calcium tablets, chewable vitamins and fiber powder.

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?

The only side effects I had was vomiting after my second fill. It was to much to fast. But had it unfilled a bit and everything was good. Now we take it slow on the fills and everything has been ok.

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

Waiting for everything to get done pre-surgery.

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

Have done very little in that reagard. Do use Obesity Help website and messageboards. alot. Has helped me with problems or questions.

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

The main scar is visible but only slightly. The two Laproscopic scars are invisible.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I platued after three months but had lost 90 lbs. I knew it was going to happen from talking to online people and the doctors office staff. The weight loss slowed considerably but my nurse told me I had to exercise and it would kick in the weight loss again. I did and sure enough six weeks later I have lost 12 more lbs. and are only 25-30 lbs. from goal.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes definitely! I have been overwhelmed with compliments and kudos for my drastic transformation. But I also think that alot of it is that I am a happier and better feeling person now too!
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