Janice B.

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Obesity & Me

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

I have fought wi food all of my life, jr and sr high I remember wearing a size 18/20 gym suit. They didn't make any bigger sizes than that. I had a friend who was bigger and her mother had to add some material to her gym suit. Alot of emotional eating has gone on in my family but then we were also just blessed with those genes too. Because if I do everything in my power to eat right and exercise my hinny off it doesn't just fall off like it does some people. I have lost weight a couple of times, got myself down to a size 10, but so much had to go into it, I couldn't stay there. I still felt fat anyway, so what was the difference.

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

What is not bad about it. People treat and look at you differently. You are limited to some of the things that you can do. Even now I wanted to take my son swimming but it would entail buying a swim suit, which I will grow down from so I just won't go. There were things I couldn't physically do because of either not being able to breath well (I am off my asthma med right now), or being able to walk well.

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

Everything.

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

Several people at work I found out had had it. Then my boss had it and I watched her grow skinnier and skinnier.. I wanted that for me too.. She told me that she didn't cheat on the diet for a minute.

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

Not hard. they were very helpful at the md office I didn't even realize until after that the doctor had fought for an extra day in the hospital for me pre-op and I didn't know it. And I got it.

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

It was pretty easy. Just checking my insicions and every thing was great. I was able to ask questions to the dietician and exercise physiologist. Just come prepared with your questions.. but I never had a problem calling the office with questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I couldn't stop gaining. Was greater then I ever imagined in my lifetime I would ever become and I tried to loose with my surefire ways but nothing ever happened.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I figured if I was going to do it, I may as well do it right. Plus that was the one that everyone had that lost alot of weight.

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 did have some fears just before the surgery. I thougth in my mind like a bride to be, what am I doing, is this what I want. But I came to my sences, put my trust in the Lord, and went ahead and had it done.. It really wasn't that bad. I was off of pain med after I got home. And it isn't like you will never be able to eat good food ever again I see my friends eat stuff they just don't pig out like I used to. Overindulge.

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?

There really was a mix of emotions, many more that rooted and congradultated me but then there were a few that just didn't get it.. they didn't understand being overwieght and felt that I just lacked self control. And where that is partially true, NOTHING I could have done to my knowledge could have got it off.

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

They were happy about it. I asked him about the time off to have the surgery as if it were matter of fact.. and I was out of work a total of 2 weeks. Some say that they didn't need the full 2 weeks, but I did, I was very groggy after surgery until really I came back did I feel as if I was mentally functioning wel.. Physically I was fine.

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

The hospital stay was awesome. Everyone there was so nice and they were very attentive. I, being a nurse, am very familiar to hospital nursing. I felt that if you rang they came right away and took care of your need. They did wake you up alot, but I know that they have to, but I had no trouble going back to sleep. I did make a point to go for a walk on almost everytime I got out of bed or was woke up (the first night). Being a nurse and knowing the complications of sugery and having some respitory problems anyway (reactive airway = ashtma) I knew it was very important to to my IS (breathing mechanism) and walk in the hall. I didn't feel that I needed much. I had slippers but I didn't feel like fussing with them in the beginning. I think later on I wore them. NO PJ's you have an IV the whole time.. too complicated to work with. Toothbrush/toothpaste, shampoo, razor for underarms and upper legs (who can reach your toes and who cares?)

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

I had no surgical complications at all. My J-P drains came out before I went home I had to apply bandages at home but was ready for that, and then put big bandaids on within a few days of being home, I should have bought those ahead of time.

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

You can't go by me much. The anti-depressant that they had changed me from cymbalta to celexa made me very anxious and it took me several days to realize it. I am not on Effexor, which is supposed to be simular to cymbalta so far is working pretty good. I had to move, I felt a bit overwhelmed with that. I wish that I had done more packing ahead of time b/c I couldn't lift any boxes after I packed them and it is just me and my son. I had to recruit alot of outside help.

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

The first few days home I had my son (3yo) taken care of by someone else. And after that I was happy to be able to play with him and do some things I havent' had time to do with him.

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

It was about 45 mins. but then I moved further out to the country, so now I am 30 mins more away. I work about 40 mins away, It has made it difficlt to make it to all the meetings that I would like to.

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.

Stay away from baked chicken for quite a while. Unless it is pureed. It seems as if the hole gets a little bigger and bigger as you go along.

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

Wish I could have done more.

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

It is better then I thought it would be by far. Just a couple of tiny boo-boo's.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am currently striving to loose more, contest at work, and I do have a great barrier, I did loose 9# in a few weeks , but wanted more.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes more human, not like I have a plague.
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