Nanette H.

Obesity & Me

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

I have tried just about every diet and weight loss program money can buy. I could always loose a few pounds (25-30) but I could never get to my goal, nor keep any of the weight off. Emotionaly, I felt like a failure.

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

Not being able to shop for clothes in "regular" stores... Knowing that guys didn't want to go out with me because I was fat. That hurt

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

NONE, becasue my weight is just slightly less than before, and what's worse, I throw up all the time.

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

I found out about bariatric surgery on a t.v. commerical. I had a VRG in 1995. It has been unsucessful and I am going to have a revision to a DS.

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

I was in for 5 days. I wanted to sleep most of the time. Bring books or something to do when not sleeping. TV channels in the hospital are not very many.

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 in moderate pain and sore. I didn't have much anxiety.

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

I was not able to move too quickly. Expect to take it easy for awhile.

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

Hospital was about 20 miles away from my 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.

1st six weeks after surgery- liquids 2nd six weeks after surgery- puree foods after 13 weeks - solids

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

Didn't have any.. I wished I had

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

The scar is ugly. It is worse than I expected. It is somewhat kiloid and looks nasty.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I plateaued after the 6months. The VRG was the worst thing I've done in my life. I throw up after every meal. I live on chips, cookies, microwave popcorn and ice-cream. (Foods that "disolve" and don't require chewing until they are microscopic) I can't wait for my DS Revision

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

NOPE
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