earana

  • BMI 35.8

Obesity & Me

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

I have always been overweight. When I was a baby, I was a little ball. When I was in elementary school and high school, there wasn't such a thing as plus size clothing, so I always had problems finding clothes that loooked youthful but were big enough for me. I hated going shopping! I have 2 kids now and after my second child (who is 4 yrs old) I decided to do something about my weight. I was going to the gym 5-6 per week, dieted, followed a supervised diet but to no avail. I hit 300 lbs! That was it! I decided to have surgery!

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

Finding clothes! I am very self confident and never had a problem dating, going out dancing (which I love!).

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

Nothing, I was exercising before and doing Atkins. I love the Atkins method of low carb and high protein. I am looking forward to that, I am still on the liquid stage!

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

My primary care doctor suggested the surgery to me when I told her that was going to a weight management program. At that time I wanted to give it another try. She said to look into surgery, but at that time I was not ready.

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

The hospital was great! I was there for 2 nights and 3 days. I brought my own night gowns. And eventhough they got blood stains, I was glad I had them and I was not walking around on those horrible gurnies that don't fit you anyways. I also brought shampoo, I hate to see my hair looking messed up! : )

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

When I came out of anesthesia, I was not breathing well and oxigenating my body. The reason mostly was the pain was so bad that I could hardly breath. I started taking more pain medication and started doing breathing exercises.

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

Great!! I am glad that I did not have major complications. My family and I have prayed a lot and it seems that our prayers have been answered. You sometimes feel that the people around you don't understand you, and I seem to have a lot of mood swings, which I did not have before. But I guess it is a transition period.

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

There is weekly support group. I have not been able to participate yet but I am looking forward to going.

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

It was laproscopic so all I have is a bunch of scratches in my belly.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

It is only week 2 and eventhough I have not lost weight in a couple of days, I am not concerned. I got my menstruation and that usually does the trick. I always gain weight during this time.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Too early.
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