William County

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Obesity & Me

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

Pain....pain and emotional torture. Every day was a battle....a battle within myself. Trying to put on a brave front, trying to pretend to the world that I felt normal and that I "fit" in. But inside? Constant put downs to myself, constant agony of wanting to be "normal" wanting to walk with my wife and dog, not being able to and then eating down the feelings of sorrow. Every day is hell when you are obese...every day is another day of feeling like there is something wrong with you.

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

Not being able to physically do the things you enjoy. Having to cut short the time you spend out because you are in too much pain to continue.

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 without back pain, fitting into smaller clothes!!!

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

My brother showed me some articles a couple years ago...it seemed extreme and scary to me.

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

No advice, my approval went through without problem.

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

My visit was wonderful! The doctor took as much time as I wanted to explain everything. ASK QUESTIONS!! I had a notebook full of questions, and I wrote down the answers too. :-)

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I turned 30 and tried to lose weight over the next couple years. I was convinced I was going to die in my 30's (My Mom died at 39), I believed I would die before she had. None of my weight loss attempts worked...I became depressed, despondant, and gained even more weight. I knew I needed help.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Gastric Bypass seemed to be more successful, and I figured the "dumping" syndrome would help keep me honest...:-)

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?

Talk to your doctor about your fears, write out a Will and tell your family how you would want things arranged. I found that by being prepared, I did not have as much stress. I also read a wonderful book called "Preparing for Surgery" which offered relaxation techinques and other activities to help you relax and prepare mentally for your surgery.

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 wife was leery at first, but after going to the seminars and meeting with my doctor, she was on board and is my biggest supporter! My family & friends have been super about it as well. I am glad I told them...they have been helpful.

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

Stay was uneventful...and a little boring...bring a book or some CDs.

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

No complications at all...and used very little pain meds.

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

Talked it over with my wife, listed to relaxation CDs and read a book on preparing yourself for surgery.

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

I was sore (naturally) but not in pain. Sleeping was tough (I am a side sleeper), having to sleep on my back was a little difficult. I also found that I would tire easily, but every day I got stronger.

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

30 miles

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 am still only 3 weeks out, but I am tolerating liquids well...:-) I can have water, jello, sugar free pudding, soups (Tomato and Bean!!) I just started pureed foods a couple days ago and have been living off of Cottage Cheese with a little spag sauce on it...Yum!!

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

Slow...I walked as I could, but have a bad knee...and got tired really quick. But am doing more each day.

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

Calcium (1500mg a day), 2 Chewable childrens vitamins.

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?

A little nausea now and again, but nothing bad, no other side effects.

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

Physcians support group

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

Very small...exactly what I expected

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None yet

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No
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ARE YOU READY TO PAY IT FORWARD & SHARE YOUR JOURNEY? Your journey will help highlight the many ways weight loss surgery improves lives and makes a difference in our families, communities and world. EACH JOURNEY COUNTS as a voice towards greater awareness.

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