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Obesity & Me

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

I was pretty much on an emotional rollercoaster with my weight. Although I have always been overweight my entire life, there was a point when I was comfortable with it and how I looked, as the yrs went by and childbearing put on added weight, I did not like how I felt all the time or how I looked, I was my own worst critic. I was so apalled at how I looked, I became a recluse, a prisoner in my own home. I would look at myself and call myself ugly, and fat, disgusting etc. I decided to do something about it, yet again and was successful to lose 100 lbs in a yr and it stayed off for 3 yrs, and then it started piling on again, I got to a 60 lb weight gain and was feeling those feelings again and finally decided I was sick and tired of being sick and tired so I opted for bariatric surgery

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

Not being able to move around like I wanted, being sick and not finding clothes that fit me

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

walking, I walk with much ease now, and its only been two weeks, there is no pain, Im not short of breath other than the norm on an incline, I can do things around the house with ease, no more sitting to wash dishes, I can bend and pick things up

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

I first found out about it about 3-4 yrs ago, I was totally against it, after doing extensive research on it, and decided to do it myself one more time, I felt if you have to watch what you eat and still workout after surgery what was the point of getting cut up. I did it myself, however, I realize, inspite of that, we all need a "tool" to help us succeed even better

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

My first visit was kind of disappointing. I left there feeling as though surgery may not be for me, that I was not going to lose as much as I wanted, but then I realized, it was up to me and not the surgeon to succeed. I knew I could do more than what he anticipated and I will reach my goal.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was sick and tired of being sick and tired and determined to it

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted the least evasive surgery with the least risks yet with great results. Also my PCP would only approve this particular surgery.

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 was not fearful so much of complications, as I was of dying. The only complication I really feared was the effects of anesthesia, im hard to arouse after surgery and I have sleep apnea and epilepsy so I was concerned about that. I also have lupus anticoagulant and was fearful of blood clots, but my surgeon took precautions that reassured me, and I had surgery 2 yrs ago, albeit was a differnt procedure entirely, but I did well with it so that kind of eased my anxiety. The best advice I have for those having these same fears is to do your research thoroughly and talk to your surgeon about any fears and anxiety

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 pretyy supportive, I did not tell everyone, just those that needed to know and as for my friends, only on a need to know basis.(ie: my best friend and other close friends). Everyone was very supportive after surgery, I knew I did the right thing and they were with me through and through. Very encouraging and helped me stay focused

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?

I was only there overnight. My stay was very pleasant, slthough they could not get a bed for me and I had to stay in recovery, I still had a great stay. The staff was very supportive and encouraging, very attentive. I actually felt more secure in recovery. I really did'nt need to bring anything, as I was there overnight

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

I had no complications at all. Never needed pain meds but thats a personal issue, I have a high tolerance to pain, so although there was significant pain, I was able to deal with it.

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 fine, no problems

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

My first few weeks were fine, I had to realize though I was post op. Everything was so smooth, at times I forgot I had surgery and had to slow down or not over do it(ie: lifting bending etc)

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

It was quite a distance, not out of state but an entirely different city, but my aftercare was not affected, my family takes me for my appointments

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.

Well, rt. now, im only 2 weeks post op so I can only talk about the past 2 weeks. At first, I had no appetite, even though I had not eaten 3-4 days prior to surgery. When I did eat something, I could only eat 2 spoonfuls and I was full. My taste buds were all messed up, everything I used to like tasted horrible and things I ordinarily would ot like was great. Alot of things tasted sweet that should'nt(ie: soups, cereal etc.) Things that should be sweet were not

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

After surgery, initially, I wanted to walk, I walked in the hospital, 7 hrs after my surgery, I had to go the bathroom and refused to use the bedpan, I walked to the bathroom, which was some distance, initially, I needed slight assistance but on each subsequent trip to the bathroom(every hour), I got better, by the time I left the hospital, next day, I was walking the entire recovery room, which was good. When I got home, the first 24 hrs, was ok, I did not try to over do it, I tried to walk outside but could only go a short distance, however my normal activity levels were fine, I was able to do housework. After about a week, I could walk a little further outside.

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

I take a multi vitamin(childres's chewable) twice a day and Tums with calcium(chewable) for my calcium supplement, twice a day.

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 really did'nt have any side effects, I did experience so nausea not too significant that I could'nt cope, at those times, I just layed down and fell asleep, when awoke, I felt better. I did however have an episode which some have described to me as dumping, I had taken my meds with baby food, as advised since you have to crush them and I got so sick, nauseaous, dizzy, sweaty and chills I laid down and threw away the baby food, no more of that. I was told by another friend that had bariatric surgery it was because of the high sugar content in the baby food, make sure you get it low in sugar, everything should be low in sugar.

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

The anxiety before surgery, fear of the unknown and what to expect, the fear of dying and/or failing

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

My main aftercare support group is this website. It is very helpful, I discovered it only days before my surgery and wish I had found it sooner, there is wealth of information here and lots of support

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

I have 7 incisions, 5 are small and one inside the belly button, there is however one large incision, which I did not expect, I was horrified when I saw it. So far, the scars are still here and im hoping they will disappear in time. I had a smoothe flawless stomach and thats what I expect to have again, as I did with my other laproscopic procedure

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, not at all
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