Crystal F.

Obesity & Me

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

I have been struggling with obesity my entire life. I am just flat tired of being fat. I feel like I have tried everything, so I jumped at the chance to have this surgery.

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

Where to start???? I can't tie my shoes without unbuttoning my jeans, shave my legs, fit in the bathtub, buy clothes at most stores, go on bike rides or walks with my family, buckle seatbelts in most vehicles, wear a bathing suit without a huge tshirt, leave the light on when I am intimate with my husband, get off the couch after eating cause I always eat way to much and get so full I can't move, stand for long periods, ride my exercise bike for more than 5 minutes, climb stairs without breathing like I ran a marathon, etc etc etc etc etc....

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

shave my legs, not hold my belly up to wipe after pottying, etc etc etc

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

I don't remember where I first heard about it, but I knew right away I wanted it. Once I found out my insurance covered it I began searching for a Dr. right away. It is a little scary to me but I knew right away it was right for me.

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

I had a terrible time with my insurance. My husband is in the military so we have tricare, and they initially denied me. They said my medical reason was not life threatening enough, but I am 25 yo so many of the problems that will be caused by obesity have not happened yet. I ended up using a clause they have called the 200% clause. If you are 200% over your ideal weight, you don't need a medical reason. Well I thought this meant I would have to weigh like 500 lbs or something but actually it is fairly easy to fall under. For instance my Dr. decided my ideal body weight was 162, so if you take 162 and multiply it by 200%, you get 324, which I almost weigh, and so that is what my Dr. used. Now keep in mind I am 6 foot tall so I have a higher ideal that alot of you would. Anyway it worked perfectly and they approved me with no problem the second time around. My advice would be DO NOT GIVE UP...WITH INSURANCE COMPANIES YOU REALLY DO HAVE TO TRY, TRY AGAIN. SET IT IN YOUR MIND THAT YOU WILL NOT GIVE UP, AND KEEP TRYING TILL THEY SAY YES!!!!!!!!!!!!

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

I would say be alot more prepared than I was. I am a month out from surgery and just found out what dumping means, or that you could lose hair from not getting enough protein. This is really sad that I knew so little, and I am embarrassed because people just naturally assume I didn't do the research, or ask the right questions. This site has been amazing in providing information, and answering questions. Keep a list of questions for your Dr., and don't be embarrassed about asking anything you want to know.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Decide nothing....I knew as soon as I heard about the surgery I wanted it!!! After seeing Carnie Wilson there was no doubt. Honestly people if I could right now, today, say "I will give up all food for the rest of my life to get rid of this weight," I would do it, and wouldn't think twice. If you can say that honestly then I think the surgery is a good decision for you. If on the other hand all you can think about is how you won't be able to eat Thanksgiving dinner anymore, and think you couldn't handle that, maybe you should think a little harder about your decision.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Didn't have a choice, in my area there is only one Dr. in a decent driving range (an hour)and he only does the open rny. If I could have chosen the lap I would have. The recovery period is much shorter, and the pain after surgery is greatly reduced.

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 AM SCARED OUT OF MY MIND!!!!!! I have 2 small children and the thought of possibly dying scares me to death. This being so I am not sure how I am going through with it, but I will, I have to, it is no longer a choice for me if I want to live any kind of a life.

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?

If I could do it differently, I wouldn't have told most of them. I was just so excited I couldn't keep it to myself. I was unprepared for how negative they would all be. I know they are just worried about me, but it was really a downer to be so excited about it, only to have to hear only negative comments.

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

The first 2 days in ICU were bliss. I was very well taken care of. Days 3-6 however were miserable as I was on a regular surgical floor with each nurse having over 10 patients a piece. Trying to get someone to get you something was like pulling teeth. In the end I was soooo ready to go home. I would say bring chapstick, a book, and something comfortable to wear home.

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

Nope

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

It was much better than I thought I would be. I somehow thought I would be pretty helpless but this was not the case at all. I was however sore for about 6 weeks but it was always manageable and except once or twice to sleep I never used my pain meds.

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

45 min. Drive home was very painful.

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.

In the beginning even water hurt. Now I can eat pretty much anything if I take tiny bites, and take my time. I haven't tried anything greasy though, or anything with sugar. I have dumped once on a fruit spread with very little fat content and I never want to do it again. It was awful.

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

The first 2 weeks I stayed pretty much lying on the couch during the day, but after that I was up and around( buying groceries, taking walks etc.)

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

I take Flinstones chewables, Calcium citrate, and zinc 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?

soreness was the worst for me cause it lasted so long. The mental part of this surgery is also very hard.

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

Having my drain removed!!! That was the most painful thing I can remember. The barium leak test wasn't fun either. I missed my family horribly when I was in the hospital.

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

Don't have one. Rely strictly on the internet.

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

It is smaller than I expected. It is only about 4 inches long.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am on one now. Been stuck at 290 for over a week now. This is week 6 for me.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People really haven't noticed much yet.
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