linda E.

  • BMI 25.5

Obesity & Me

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

I HAVE ALWAYS HAD A BATTLE WITH MY WEIGHT. I WAS AN EMOTIONAL EATER. I HAD VERY LOW SELF-ESTEEM. PEOPLE ALWAYS TOLD ME YOU HAVE SUCH A PRETTY FACE BUT YOUR SO FAT. SO WHEN I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE SURGERY I WENT FULL SPEED AHEAD AND HAD THE GASTIC AJUSTABLE LAP-BAND.

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

BEING LIMITED TO WEARING WHAT WAS AVAILABLE IN CLOTHING. MY LEGS RUBBING TOGETHER WHEN I WALKED. I ALWAYS TRIED TO HIDE MY WEIGHT WITH CLOTHES AND IT BECAME AN ADDICTION AND VERY COSTLY.

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 HAVE MORE ENERGY AT THE GYM AND AT WORK. I ALSO HIT ALL THE SALES WHEN I CAN IN THE NORMAL STORES.

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

I HAD A FRIEND HAVE THE SURGERY AND I FOUND THAT SHE WAS HAVING GREAT SUCCESS AND I WANTED SUCESS TOO.

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

My experience was easy. I had Health Ct. when I had my surgery. i had no problems at all.Keep pursuing the insurance companys. Don't give up.

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

He was very kind,patient,helpful. I think you should ask questions about the surgery and how you can get the most success from the surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I got tired of being uncomfortable in my job and with the way i looked.I wrettled with my weight long enough. It was when I turned 50 that enough was enough.

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

THE HOSPITAL STAY WAS GOOD BUT THE BEDS NEED HELP. I STAYED 2DAYS.THE STAFF WAS GREAT BECAUSE WE WERE ALL ON THE SAME FLOOR. ALL THE NURSES KNEW WHAT TO DO AND I WAS AS COMFORABLE AS I COULD BE.THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO BRING IS YOUR TOILETRIES.

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

I HAD NO COMPLICATIONS.

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 FELT TIRED AFTER THE SURGERY BUT DAY BY DAY I GOT STRONGER. I HAD A HARD TIME AJUSTING TO MY NEW LIFESTYLE AT FIRST. THE AJUSTMENTS WERE TOUGH IN THE BEGINNING BUT I FEEL GREAT.

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

I WENT TO A 12 WEEKS AFTERCARE PROGRAM THAT WAS CALLED C.O.R.E. GETTING TO THE REAL REASON WHY WE EAT. IT WAS A HARD PROGRAM BUT WOULD DO IT AGAIN. IT HELPED ME FIGURE OUT ALOT OF THE REASONS WHY I ATE THE WAY I DID. I ALSO GO TO MONTHLY MEETINGS. THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU ATTEND MONTHLY MEETINGS, YOU NEED SOME SUPPORT.

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

MINIMAL SCARRING..I RECOMEND MEDERMA SCAR CREAM.I HAD LAP-BAND DONE LAPROSCOPICLY.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

AT ONE POINT I DID GAIN 4 POUNDS. I NEEDED AN AJUSTMENT. ALSO NEEDED TO WATCH MY CARBS.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

SOMEWHAT..MEN NOTICE ME MORE. I AM MARRIED AND MY HUSBAND REALLY LIKE THE WAY I LOOK NOW.
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