Weight Loss Survey Responses

The following are Lynette B.'s responses to the Weight Loss Survey:

Describe your behavioral and emotional battle with weight control before learning about bariatric surgery.
Several years ago I had a severe recurring bout with major depression. In fact, I am still taking medication. My psychiatrist does not believe I should come off the meds at all. I'm doing fine now, but when I became depressed I began to eat. You know, some people don't eat when they're depressed - not me, I ate a lot. I have eaten that way ever since. I know my meds cause weight gain but I am an emotional eater. I have tried so many weight loss avenues, you know, Weight Watchers, Slim Fast, Dexatrim, Xenical and Phentermine. I might lose but always gain it back. I have struggled with this now for some years and now that it has created real physical problems, like diabetes, high cholesterol, GERD, and others (possibly sleep apnea), it is very depressing. I'm so glad I started looking into WLS.
What was (is) the worst thing about being overweight?
The worst thing about being overweight is the way I feel. I feel so sluggish and tired all the time. I can't bend over to tie my shoes or dare take a flight of stairs. Actually, I guess the real worst thing is the fact that I want to see my grandchildren grow up and I am afraid that's not going to happen based upon my family history. I am heading down the same road as my mom--diabetes, amputations, heart disease, etc. Of course, I would not be honest if I didn't admit that I hate the way I look, but that certainly is not the main concern.
How did you first find out about bariatric surgery and what were your initial impressions of it?
I first found out about the surgery through a friend of a friend. Then I found out about a local celebrity who had the surgery. My friend's friend had the lap surgery just a few weeks ago and is doing great!
What was your first visit with your surgeon like? How can people get the most out of this meeting?
I had a very positive first visit with Dr. Sherer. I really like him and feel comfortable with his level of expertise. He answered all of my questions. The main piece of advice I can give to people on how to get the most out of their first meeting with the doctor is to just ask questions. There is no stupid question.
What made you finally decide to have the surgery?
Sheer determination that I had to do something to change or I would die young like my mother did.
How did you decide which procedure to have?
Dr. Sherer discussed the procedures with me and helped me to decide.
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 guess I haven't had real fears yet. I fear dying young or being miserable for the rest of my life more than I fear the 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?
Full support before and after surgery.
How did your employer/supervisor react to your decision? What did you tell him/her? How long were you out of work?
I started a new job after surgery.
What was your stay in the hospital like? How long where you there? What things are most important to bring?
My stay was uneventful. The morphine they gave me kept my pain under control and I slept a lot. I was released after two days.
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 just really didn't have a lot of anxiety. I was at peace because I knew this was what I needed to do.
Describe your first few weeks home from the hospital. What should people expect from this period?
I think I am a classbook case. My first week at home I moved a little slowly. I went back to work after two weeks but could have earlier. I think just being careful about not eating too quickly or too much is the best advice I can give.
How far did you travel to have your surgery? (If far, how did this affect your aftercare?)
I traveled about 100 miles. Not a problem.
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.
The only problem with food I have had is with Chinese. It has now been two months since surgery and I will probably try Chinese again soon. I can tolerate carbonated drinks now, which I enjoy.
What was your actvity level in the days and weeks after surgery?
I am playing softball now after two months.
What vitamins and/or dietary supplements have you taken since your surgery?
Flintstones chewables and Caltrate D chewables.
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 just didn't have any side effects.
What was the worst part about the entire bariatric surgery process?
The worst part of the surgery was just the first couple of days of pain, but the morphine did the trick for me.
What aftercare support group/program do you have? How helpful/important is this?
I will attend my first support group meeting this week.
What is your scar like? Is this what you expected?
I had lap surgery so my scars are small, but I already had a few from previous surgeries, so my abs don't look really good!
Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.
I hit a plateau for about a month, but it picked right back up.
Do you notice people treating you any differently now?
No
What things do you most enjoy doing now that you weren't able to do before?
Cross my legs!

×