Debbie D.

Obesity & Me

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

My wieght control battle was a losing one. I started life with a congenital hip displasia, which made my first year spent in and out of traction, pillow splints and a body cast for months. I was a late walker as a result. My childhood was chubby. At puberty my weight shot up to 210 and hovered at that weight until I got pregnant at age 24. The first week of pregnancy I gained 40 lbs! I gained an additional 60 lbs in the next 3 wks. No doctor has ever been able to tell me why, since I was so nauseous I barely ate and we had moved into a "handyman" house and I was constantly busy cleaning, painting and unpacking. Our son was born 7 weeks premature and weighed only 4' 9 1/2". I didn't lose ANY of the 100 lbs gained. My weight stayed at around 310 again until I got pregnant again a couple of years later. I gained another 75 lbs which never came off. My weight stayed around 385 until 4 years ago when I was hit head-on by a school bus. I suffered numerous back injuries, permanent nerve damage and a concussion. Until then, I had always been VERY active, despite my weight. I felt uneasy sitting for more than 5 minutes at a time. I started gardening and did an hour exercise tape everyday. After the accident, I was tolds that regular housework, gardening and the aerobics were off limits. The pain was intense. Before long, I was in a wheelchair for 80 percent of my waking hours, no longer able to stand for more than 30 seconds or walk more than a few feet before the pain was excruciating. My weight crept up over 400lbs. Last year, my husband was diagnosed with MS, the primary progressive kind. We have an autistic son and I knew that one of us needed to be in good health to deal with all of this. Besides, it seemed like my health was getting progressively worse. The more I relied on the wheelchair, the more I needed it and the heavier I got. I was on 12 different precription drugs, including oxycontin for pain and several meds for asthma. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and precribed a CPAP. I felt like I was sinking in quicksand and had to do something fast. I found that my insurance, Aetna, would pay for an abdominoplasty. I sought a plastic surgeon, thinking that If I could relieve some of the pressure on my back, I'd be able to function better. No one would even consider operating on me at over 400 lbs. I found a surgeon who would consider it and made an appt. He said that if I REALLY wanted him to, he would do it, but if I were his daughter, he wouldn't. Too risky. He suggested first having a gastric bypass. My mother's aunt had had one years before and had all kinds of complications and then ended up gaining all the weight back plus. I had not even considered that route since. The plastic surgeon told me that the operation was different today and could even be done laproscopically. I began to do serious research and soul-searching. I discussed it with my husband and parents. They were all very supportive, my husband saying it was my body and he's support whatever decision I made. He added that he loved me no matter what. I talked to my PCP and he contacted the insurance company about what was required. It took the better part of a year and an appeal to get accepted and surgery scheduled. I found a wonderful surgeon in Hudson, FL. The nearest surgeon to me that would do it is in the next town, but I couldn't even get an appt. for a consultation until March 26, 2004! And I called in May 2003! My surgery was on 11/17/03 and I've lost over 70 lbs so far! Glad I didn't wait to see that other Dr.!

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

Hurting in my back and joints. Not being able to wipe myself, tie my shoes, breaking chairs, not fitting into booths at restaurants, having seatbelt extenders, getting my butt stuck in my rocking chair, not being able to stand for more than 60 seconds, not having a neck, not being able to see my feet, having to shop at specialty stores for clothes, not being to make love with my husband "missionary" style because myt tummy was too large.

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 can sit in my rocking chair without having my butt get stuck! I had to move the seat of the car forward and my tummy STILL doesn't touch the steering wheel. My clothes are getting HUGE. I'm getting a neck again and my face no longer looks like Jabba the Hut's.

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

From my great aunt. Not impressed when she had it 20 years ago. I was afraid that if something went wrong, it could not be reversed. At first the risks seemed too great.

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

It was a nightmare! I jumped through every hoop, got tons of documentation, called them every few weeks to find out what they wanted and they STILL denied me! They said I did not have enough documentation on my 6 months weight loss program. I won on appeal because I pointed out that they NEVER told me or my doctor exactly what type of documentation they wanted.

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

Informative and positive. Dr. Piduru was extremely thorough. He explained everything in detail and made sure I understood. He was very up front with the risks involved and wanted me to know so I could be sure I wanted to go through with it. He had me have numerous testing done that was above that required by Aetna so he could rule out potential complications.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The fact that my son and my husband need me to be healthy and the fact that I felt I was sinking in a quagmire of bad health and unable to pull myself out. I feared I would die soon from complications of obesity. Since diets had always failed me and I could no longer exercise because of my back injury, I knew it was time to do something drastic.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I studied the different types and conferred with my surgeon. Together we decided on the RNY. He promised to do everything he could to do it laproscopically and avoid doing it open. It took 6 1/2 hours to do it and I have 10 incisions instead of the usual 6, but he was able to do it.

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 wasn't scared at all until the moment they wheeled me into the OR. My husband was terrified from the moment I decided to have it done. What I told him and myself, God had a time appointed for everyone when they are to die. I put myself in His hands and said, if it's my time to go, I'll go, if not, I'll be ok. Either way, I want to be in God's will and I trust in Him.

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?

Mostly my family was supportive. My Dad and his brother were concerned. They felt I should just try diets again because they felt the surgery was too risky and way too drastic. However, they ultimately said they would support me. My kid brother liked the idea so much, he set out to have it. He had his one week before mine! Originally, we were to have it on the same day, but the assisting surgeon on mine couldn't make it that day. Mine was pushed back a week. The whole family is very proud of me now. They are happy with the weight loss and the fact I'm going to the YMCA to work out and use the therapy pool every other day. A fitness trainer set up a work out program that is back-friendly for me.

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

Not applicable, since I am a full-time homemaker.

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

The hospital I was in was WONDERFUL! Regional Medical Center at Bayonet Point in Hudson, FL. EVERYONE there, the doctors, nurses, therapists, even the orderlies, were very pleasant and eager to help in any way they could. I had the surgery on Monday morning and was put into surgical ICU afterward-SOP for bariatric patients. I was moved to the bariatric section on Wed. and released on Thurs. The only things I seemed to need were a toothbrush and hair brush. They provided everything else. I stayed in the hospital gown the whole time since they had the really big ones that covered all of me. They provided slipper socks, toiletries, etc. I had brought a book and some puzzle books but never used them. They keep you pretty busy with walking, tests and therapy.

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

No. I was pretty fortunate.

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 excited. I was busy making arrangements for my kids and my dog. Since the hospital is about 2 hours from my home, we took our motorhome and stayed at an RV park a couple of miles from the hosptial. I wrote letters to my husband, sons and parents, just in case. Mostly, I tried to calm my husband's fears.

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

OI was in some pain, though not really enough for more than tylenol. It was hard sleeping at first because i couldn't sleep on my side, my preferred position. Up until 2 mos out, I had some pain at my largest incision site. I was concerned about the drain site, which was pussy. My PCP put me on liquid antibiotics for that. I had a problem with my allergy to bandage adhesives, so I got some Curad spray-on bandage. That worked GREAT! Gas pain was the biggest problem. The first week my right shoulder hurt from the gas. Expect to have some pain and discomfort and to get tired easily.

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

Because the hospital and doctor are two hours away, the doctor insisted that we stay in town until a week after the surgery so he could remove the drain and in case I had any problems. It was just as well, since we had engine problems on the drive up and my husband had to do a complete engine rebuild on the motorhome that week. That gave him something to do and helped take his mind off of worrying about me.

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 first few weeks were liquids. Then proteins. I found that although I love yogurt and used to be able to eat it, it now upsets my stomach. My doctor says no protein drinks, no starch, no sugar. I can't eat seafood and hate cottage cheese. I seemed to have a bit of a problem digesting chicken for a few weeks. Beans stayed down but gave me gas. Now that I'm almost 3 months out, I'm tolerating most foods alright, that is proteins. I'm just starting to eat some soft veggies like cooked carrots. What I miss most of all is pasta. I'm Italian and it used to be the staple of my diet.

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

Since walking is too painful because of my back and I have bad knees and sciatica, I did mostly exercises from my chair. A month ago I joined the YMCA and had a fitness instructor put together a workout plan for me that won't hurt my back. I also use the therapy pool and do the exercised taught me buy the physical therapist at HealthSouth Rehab center after my accident. I try to go every other day. In between I do chair exercises.

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

I take two children's chewables in the morning and two at night. I also take 3 Tums a day, one in the morning, one in the afternoon and one at night. Once a week I take two sublingual B-12's. I've just started taking additional zinc to help 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?

Frothing has been the most bothersome side effect for me. It mostly gives me gas and sometimes makes me vomit. Lately, I have not had that problem as much. I'm almost 3 months out and today in the shower handfuls of hair came out. I've been losing my hair steadily since the birth of my now 17 year old. Thankfully I started with extraordinarily thick hair. I now have less than a third of the volume I used to have.

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

Since I live so far from the hospital where my surgery was done, I joined this site and keep up with my peers on the message board. I'm also in touch with my brother who had his surgery a week before mine, and keep in touch with the nurse and bariatric coordinator. Obesity Help has been tremendously helpful to me! Getting to keep in touch with others on the message board has been wonderful. I couldn't get along without them!

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

My 10 scars are pretty dark. Only one of them is raised. I have extremely fair skin so they are quite noticable. Of course, the only ones to see them are myself, my husband and the doctor. I'm just SO GLAD I didn't have to have an open! As it is I have a c-sect. scar and a hysterectomy scar.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

About 6 weeks out I GAINED 2 1/2 pounds. I totally FREAKED! I cried and said that I didn't go through all of this to GAIN weight! The next week I lost 8 pounds. The article on plateaus in the ObesityHelp magazine came at just the right time for me! The doctor explained that plateaus are normal at that time. PHEW!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not really, since I'm home most of the time.
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Before & After
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before photo after photo

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