kathy oh

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Obesity & Me

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

There was not a battle. The weight had won and I was literally waiting to die. I could not do anything to help myself. It was my last resort. I had not lived a life for about 10 years. I was merely existing. I was miserable.

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

The looks or sympathy of disgust from other people. The self loathing for the condition you have allowed your self to get in.

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

Living a life. I love to do yardwork, bike ride, walk the dog, watch tv without falling asleep, working without coming home so exhausted that I would sleep half the rest of the night before I went to bed. I love spending time with my friends doing anything because before I had become somewhat of a hermit.

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

My doctor told me at the age of 30 that it was my best chance to deal with the weight. It would give me quick weight loss success so that I could begin exercising. I was pissed at my doctor for suggesting that I could not control my intake and lose the weight myself. I was stubborn and it took me 7.5 years to finally decide she was right.

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

I was unable to have my insurance cover any of the procedure or costs with the initial screenings. My company's policy excluded that procedure. Fight for what you want. Do whatever it takes. It is your health. It is no one else's fight. If you don't do it, nobody else will do it for you.

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

Very pleasant. The room was specifically for bariatric patients, meaning everything was made for the morbidly obese. That was comforting. It was extremely comfortable. The staff was terrific. I was there for 2.5 days - surgery on Wednesday morning and out Friday evening. Bring what makes you most comfortable - warm slippers, a favorite bathrobe, reading material, or a loved one to make you comfortable.

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

No, I did not. I was extremely 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 felt very prepared. I was certainly nervous, however I was very excited. I was able to talk to my family and friends. While they did not know what I was going through, they were extremely supportive. I reviewed all of the materials that the nutritionists had given me. That helped to keep me occupied.

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

For me, coming home was easy. I ate as recommended. It wasn't really eating - more like drinking all day. The eating all day drove me crazy. I walked as suggested. The pounds melted off. That was the most exciting part. I weighed myself and the scale numbers dropped so quickly. It was very encouraging. It made me want to follow the program to the letter. It was positive reinforcement.

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

I traveled about 40 miles to the hospital. It was not a problem. I knew that the aftercare would require traveling and I am both used to it and was prepared for it.

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.

Foods that continue to be off limits to me - soda, bread, pasta and rice. I am fortunate that I can eat almost anything that I want in moderation (small portions). I found that my food intolerances depended on the day. One day I would have chicken and the next day it would make me sick. I was a breadaholic - that is very difficult for me. I would love a sandwich for lunch but tend toward the wraps instead. I really want to sink my teeth into a nice thick deli sandwich. Meat, fresh fruit and vegetables were difficult and are sometimes hard to eat. Again, the food intolerances still depend on the day. I ate protein shakes daily - still do sometimes (less often than I should). Those were terrible. I couldn't even hide the taste in foods. I truly became sick of drinking all of the time. Eating food all of the time still drives me crazy. I am becoming used to it.

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

Two days out of surgery, I walked one and a half houses down and turned around and came home. I was on oxygen when I walked. Generally when I got home I was gasping for air and recovery took about 5 minutes. I increased my walking in increments - by the number of houses that I would walk past. I did not push myself, but did enough walking to make my breathing labored and somewhat uncomfortable.

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

I take calcium 3 times daily. I take a b-12 supplement. I drink protein shakes a few times a week. I take prenatal vitamins daily. I take more pills now than I did before the surgery when I was "sick".

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?

I have had problems with hair loss. I probably noticed it more because my hair was thin to begin with. I only experienced dumping once. That was all it took. The nausea and vomiting were the worst for me. According to the surgeon, I did not have anything to complain about. I did not suffer much at all. Both the nausea and vomiting were less than once a week for the first 3-4 months.

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

The worst part was trying to get accepted to have the surgery. I worked two and a half years to finally get all of the appovals and get to the surgery date. It was well worth it. And I would go through it again if I had to.

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

I did not join any support group right away. Although, recently I have joined a newly formed emotional support group. This has been helpful. I think this support; the commonality that is among people who have had similar experiences reinforces that you are okay, normal even.

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

I have 7 scars. They look like I was stabbed seven times. They are what I expected. It goes with the gall bladder scar.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am currently holding at my weight. I have been there for about 6 weeks. I need to increase my activity and have gotten a membership to a gym. That should help. Plateaus are terribly discouraging. That is why support groups are so helpful.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. People notice me now. They look at my face - while I still have alot of weight to lose, they don't look at me so much with the sympathetic look or the look of disgust - look at how she looks. People I have known for years sometimes do not recognize me. That is the most fun. They are embarassed, but that is the best compliment ever. People will talk to me - especially men. They overlooked me before, but now they will stand and talk to me. It is a great feeling.
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