jodygirl05

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  • BMI 19.5

Obesity & Me

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

i am an adult survivor of both childhood and adult domestic violence.i ve always felt fat and ugly with low self esteem. i hide in food, and eventually became to look like the self i always saw. it took years of struggle, dieting and many many life changes to get my self where i needed to be. even beyond the needed improvements for my health, i had to accept that i could do this for myself and i did deserve it.

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

hearing the people friends n family around me joke about other fat people , and when i point out that they are smaller then me, they are offended by me, saying anything. and they cover with i dont mean you , you know that . and being afraid i wont be alive in 10 years if i dont make changes. i have so many people who love me n i want to be here a ong time for.

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

not much yet, still in early stages

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

. i have a number of friends over the internet, who are double plus sized and a few are going thru various proceddures. 2 have been very successful 1 had complication but doing great now and 1 is a complete return to post weight

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

just relax and dont try to push or cut corners, do what is ask for and wait. dont hold your breath, lol it will come before you know it and if for some reason you have to wait a little longer , take the extra time to learn a little more or exercise a little more so your body s a bit more fit.

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

the WCH staff was awsome, there were nurses who have had the procudures and were very supportive and helpful talking with me about their experiences. i had a few extra days stay as i had an infection. reading material and skin lotion were helpful for me, lol and a robe for those late nite hall walks!

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

fever sweats and vomiting not sure why elevated white cells for a few days s so dr lalor keep me on iv, s added anti bodts and jst went slow and watched me. i wanted to be home but i knew i was where i needed to be.

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 was flying high one minute and nervious the next. i was ok to start the liquid diet, then on day there i was sure i was dying and would never make it, lol next day i pulled thru and lost 18 pds on the 14 day diet post surgery! i tried to walk off some of the nervious energy. and i talked about it with my boyfriend he was a great listener.

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

soreness, laughs and coughs are tender , i know a big pillow sounds good but get up walk around, go slow but go! even if your still on liquids , the foods you take in dont have to be rushed , you can go too fast you cant go too slow

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

about 35 miles, although i wish dr lalor was closer i d make it 100 miles away for his care. the staff and personalities are well worth the trip.

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.

i m near 60 days out of ryn. and i m still mostly liquids, i can have sherded, well boiled meatschicken n fish have been the easiest, and i ve purreed a number of soups. i find i m craving water but cant seam to get enough. i can do scrambled eggs but cant do any cheeses yet even riccta . im still eating 2 tablespoons at a sitting and im taking it slow. it not very adventurousa with my food taste so i ve tried a few vegtables and dishes that can easily be softened thats a big turn off so, i believe once i can tolerrate, thicker substances i ll get more variety. all in all , it took a life time to get me to the surgery, i m not rushing the recovery, i ve got the rest of my healthier life!

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

i had a few extra days in the hospital due to infection, and i was just drag down exhusted, i was having flu like systems but i walked a few blocks very day. sence 9 days after surgey i have walk or biked 3 to 5 miles every day.my time it takes to walk the same distance has lessened in the the 2 months sence surgery. and i can peddle a little easier. i can bath easier and reach itchy spots on myself, that i just couldnt reach 3 months ago!i can t say i have more energy yet cause i m am very tired easily and i m an early to bed girl now. but i actually feel like i ve rested when i wake up.

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

i take 500 mg of calcium chews twice aday, centrum daily chewables 22 vits n mins 2 times a day .allergy a &d3 once a day. and i have 16 oz of kelloggs protien water every day. i occasionally have a tums or two w calcium, if i feel exceptionally gassy.

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

ive only attended one so far and will be returning. i learned alot by just sitting and listening. i didnt think i would want to return but i m looking forward to it. i realised how easy it is to revert to old habits, and that will power will always be the number one drive, behind success

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

yes they are healing much smaler then i thought they d be but coming along nicely

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

only 3 weeks out, 32 pds down

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

too soon yet
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