Sewcrazy

Obesity & Me

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

Hi I'm Carole. My behavior problems is that when you don't dig to deep I just like food. When I really think about it, it's very deep. As young as 4-5 years old I was " chunky " I have pix of me in shorts. I already had " thick" thighs. I don't remebmer eating any more than the rest of my family. I was of "normal " weight when I graduated 6th grade. In Jr. and High school I stared again to have a weight problems. I did hypnotism. During that I was told it was my mothers fault that I was "fat". I was a 200lb bride. I got up to 369+ had gastic bypass in 1979 and lost only 90lbs kept it off, but it was not really enough to do what I needed to do with my 2 daughters. I did Nurtisystems in the late 80's lost 140lbs. gained that +. I did Weight Watchers about 5 times, lost but gained. Seen Pychcaist. I decided to a revision of my WLS from 1979. Dr Haicken was able to help me. I've lost 100 lbs so far in 9 mos. It's still hard to stay away from eating when I have the urge. I do fight it harder, and I exercise 3-4 times a week in a gym. There are many other wt loss things I've done that are to many to mention. I'm 55 and this I feel is my last chance to be healthy. Where I work for 11 years, these people have seen me lose and gained many times. I know this sounds crazy but not one of my co workers know that I had the revision done last Dec.04. I told them I was having my Gallbladder out, which I was, plus more. I tell myself " it's no ones business how I lose it, just that I do". I sure it's I don't want to hear that I " did it the easy way". Which we all know it's not.

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

For me it was not being able to walk without pain or getting Sress fx in my feet. In the early days it was not being able to play or run after my little girls. Also not fitting into chairs, or for fear that they would break. Not finding clothes that looked nice in your XXX +size. Looks from strangers. Plus much more.

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

WALK,WALK and more walking. My hubby has to ask me to slow down, he now needs to sit and rest. After walking the mall, I'm still ready to do more. My hubby wants to go home. I even offer to do overtime at my job. Before I was lucky to do my 40 hour week, and don't ask me for more. Now when they ask me if I have nothing planned I will say "yes". Also buying clothes "off the rack". Not catalogs (large size).

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

I already knew it was out there, because I had it done in 1979. A few different Doctors that I was seeing for other problems talked about me lossing weight, the WLS came up and they gave me Dr. Haicken's name. I also checked out "The Wish " program in Tampa. A Dr. in St. Pete. and went to his support group meeting. Went to see Dr. Haicken and went to that support group and loved it and him. I don't miss a meeting if I can help it. Sometimes the weather keeps me away. Then I'll go to the one during the week. It' so great these meetings.

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

My stay at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater was great while I was in ICU for 2 days, but when I got to the floor, the nurses were not very helpful. Never checked on me to see if I needed to take off my leg wraps to go to the bathroom or go for a walk. Never reieved a tray of food ( liq. and sugar free). During my 24 hours on the floor all I recieved was a cup of broth. That night and a sip of Cystal lite. That was all, nothing the next day. I was discharged at 6 pm on the 3rd day. I sipped on water only. The most important thing to bring is your family support. I have been a aid and a Lic. nurse for over 36 years and I just expected more from the staff without asking . Being a nurse I knew they were busy and didn't want to bother them.

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

I didn't have any, thank God.

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 didn't have any anxiety really , only when will I get back to work. . I felt that I was slow on getting my strenght back. I would try to increase my ambulation with the help of my family. It wasn't until I got back to work after 6 weeks plus 2-3 weeks After that I felt strong again. During the first few months I got nauseaed with normal smells or the thought of a smell. I would gag wipeing my self or just thinking about it. I had to wear rubber gloves to clean myself after a stool. I had a bit a trouble swallowing my vit. And I always had a terrible taste in my mouth. I got over all of it over time. I would do it again even knowing what I know now.

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

I have the support group that my Dr. supports. I have my family. I see a dietian. Shapes for my exercise. Going on-line for chat groups. It's very helpful and very important to my weight loss. My scar id

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

My scar is from under my breast to my belly button, light in color about 1/4 to 3/4 " wide no different than my first WLS in 1979. The Dr. removed the old scar. I had hoped for a shorter scar, but I'm o.k. with it now. I don't show my abdomen to anyone but my hubby anyways, and he loved me " fat" or with my new look.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I do have plateaus at about every ten pounds. I do something to shock my system. Change my exercise program, eat different, like doing the South Beach Diet phase one for week or two. Also increase my water. Sometimes I write everything down, and I weigh more often to see what I'm doing is working , if not I change something until I see my weight drop, continue until I plateau again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I see a slight diffenance. I don't get the stares from strangers so much now. A few people that never spoke to me before are now say hello. My friends treat me the same. Just so proud of me. I don't get invites. I'm not asked to join groups.
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