Barbara15425

Obesity & Me

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

I had been overweight all of my life. I weighed 69 pounds when I was in kindergarten! i always ate healthy and got lots of exercise, but I was always fat. As an adult I tried many diets and exercise programs with very limited success. My body would allow me to lose 50 pounds and no more. I was depressed about my wieght and feel that it held me back from being all that i could be.

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

The worst thing was feeling unattractive and discriminated against. Not being able to do the things I wanted to do would be a close second.

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

I love to shop for clothes! I was always a clothes horse, but now I can do it on the cheap because I can take advantage of clearance racks! I love being able to buy designer clothes for next to nothing!

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

I had heard about bariatric surgery for years and felt it was for cowards and those afraid of hard work. I swore that I would never do it and would lose the weight "naturally".

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

I had no trouble getting approved. It only took 2 days! I believe this was because I had been under the care of an endocrinologist for 2 years and had a lot of documentation of monitored diet and medication trials. I also had excellent documentation of my exercise regime and personal trainer records.

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

I took everything with me that he asked for. I paid attention and asked questions. My surgeon requires you to take and pass a test on what he has explained. I think this is an excellent idea!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was frustrated from alifetime of being overwieght. I was angry at not being able to lose weight on my own no matter what I did.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I did a lot of research and felt that the gastric bypass was the best option for me.

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 was a little nervous about dying, but that is normal for any surgery! I was most afriad that I would have the procedure and my body would still not react and allow mw to lose weight.

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 mother was against it. She has since come around. My friends were very supportive.

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

My employer was fine with my decision as long as I had the availablke leave to use! I only missed 10 days of work and that was only because of the length of the drive (1.5 hours each way each day).

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

I was only hospitalized for 2 days. I had my surgery, spent the night and the next day and was released. All I took with me were a robe and slippers so I could get out of bed and the hospital ASAP!

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

None

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 fine and had no anxiety. I was well prepared by my surgeon and knew what to expect.

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

I was bored silly and followed the doctor's directives to the letter. Get plenty of rest and start walking as much as you can each day.

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

I had my procedure about 35-40 minutes from home.

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 was on clear liquids for 2 weeks followed by 2 weeks of pureed protein. I then moved on to soild protein. My doctor's plan is very restricive, but also very effective. He doesn't believ in protein shakes and tons of supplements. I am now able to eat anything. i have a lot of gas with dairy products, but I had that before the surgery, too.

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

I began walking the next day. As i became stronger, I was able to do more. I was back to the gym and working with my trainier within 6 weeks.

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

I take a multi-vitamin and a TUMS each day. I also added Bio0tin to prevent hair loss.

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?

I had some off and on nausea in the first few months which has passed. I will get nauseous if I eat too quickly or try to eat too much.

What was the worst part about the entire bariatric surgery process?

The tube after surgery and not being able to drink until the next morning. The drainage tube was a very close second!

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

I sometimes go to the group my doctor runs but it is not convenient with my schedule.

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

I have very small scars that have faded. They were exactly as I expected they would be.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

My weight loss started to slow down at about 6 months. I have not lost any weight for the past 4 months. I am currently on a plateau.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People are much nicer to me now that I am "normal wright". It angers me that this is so! People are people no matter how heavy they are or what they look like!
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