LINDA KINARD

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Obesity & Me

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

I have been overweight all of my life. As a small child I was bigger than my sister and even family members made comments about my weight. All through school I was made fun of due to being overweight. My heaviest weight was 272 lbs in high school and I was miserable. I married my senior year of high school and lost some wieght with Weight Watchers, but have gained it all back over the years and am at 262 lbs now. I am tall, so it doesn't show a lot. But I feel every bit of it. Since learning about Bariatric Surgery I have been so excited. I can actually admit my weight now, because I know I won't weigh this much for long. I will soon be on the losing side!!

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

Wanting to wear clothes that I like but am too big for. Not looking good in a bathing suit. Not being able to run and play with my 4 year old son, like he'd like. Seeing a reflection of myself and realizing I am much bigger than I feel on the inside.

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 enjoy life completely now. I love playing with my son, who is 4, and having the energy to do most anything I feel like doing. I love excersing and going to the gym. My husband says I'd stay 2 hours per day if he'd let me.

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

My cousin had the surgery over 3 years ago. She told me about it and recommeded ObesityHelp.Com specifically for help. I was so impressed that I was immediately searching for a surgeon and was ready for surgery.

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

I had no problem being approved for my surgery. My insurance is small enough to be personal and I called the person who would approve it and asked her to be on look for it. It was approved on Monday after my initial consult on Thursday of the previous week.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Looking at the before and after photos of others who've had the surgery and reading their profiles. I am so looking forward to my before and after journey.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I am a candidate for Lap RNY and the doctor recommended it so I let him 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 am a little fearful of the complications. My faith in God keeps me from being too afraid of death. I can't say I don't fear it at all, because I have my son to live for. I want to be here for him. So, I really don't dwell on it and I believe it will all be fine.

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

My stay in the hospital was quite eventful. I had an internal bleed after surgery and it wasn't found until late in the night. In all I had to be given 16 units of blood and 8 units plasma. I was in the hospital 6 days, instead of the routine 3.

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

I had the bleed which caused my blooed pressure to drop to 54/22. I then had some bile in one of my drains, which caused my doctor to suspect a leak. However, he didn't find one when he went back in to look for it. I feel like my complications were dealt with very well, while in the hospital and then afterwards. It was difficult to accept that I had had so much trouble considering everyone I know who'd had WLS with no complicaitons.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

In the weeks after my surgery I was tired and weak. It seemed to get worse before it got better. But, I soon awoke one day and felt terrific and have felt great since. I am thrilled to have had WLS and would recommend it to anyone else.

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

The first few weeks home you're tired. Food doesn't taste well and neither does drink. It was nearly 8 weeks before I found something that tasted good and made me actually glad I ate. I remember it was broccoli and cheese soup from McAlister's Deli and it was soooo good! Don't expect to return to normal life right away. It takes time to adjust and for your body to adjust to the lower energy level you will have. But, don't give in or give up---it will get better each day.

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

I had to travel 125 miles one way. Nearly two hours away from home. It is more difficult to return for emergencies that may arise, however, for routine appointments it's just a matter of making the plans to take off work and go.

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.

Immediately after surgery a few of the things I couldn't tolerate were onions, tomatoes, cheese and broccoli. After 8 months, I can eat all of these things. The only foods that I completely avoid are milk, bread, sugar and carbonated drinks. Most folks ask why. The milk, bread and sugar cause my heart to race and feel sick. I don't drink the carbonated beverages because I don't want the "gas" in them to cause my stomach to stretch. A few weeks after surgery I tried to eat steak--very tender steak--but I couldn't tolerate it. Within 3 or 4 months I could eat it and continue to eat small amounts of it occassionally.

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

Within the first two weeks I could only work 4 or 5 hours per day. Then by the third and fourth weeks I was working 8 hours but then napping as soon as I got home. Within the next few weeks I didn't need that nap and began working out at the gym and my energy and activity level probably doubled.

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

I began a children's chewable within two weeks of surgery and I found that I liked the flavor of SunDown "SpiderMan" variety the best. Then after 6 months I began Wal-Mart's brand of Multi-Vitamin.

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 had nausea for about 8 or 9 weeks and vomiting for about 5 months. The only sleep disturbance I noticed was immediately home from the hospital I was extremely sore and couldn't stand to lie down flat in the bed, so I slept in my husband's recliner part of the night. This lasted about a week. I have had only mild cases of dumping that weren't too bad. My hair was very very thick before surgery and I only lost a little. It has stopped after 8 months and I'm back to getting my hair cut and thinned every 3 weeks.

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

I don't know any part of my gastric bypass that I consider terrible. I had prepared myself for the changes in my eating habits and I don't feel deprived at all. I have been thrilled that I chose the surgery.

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

I haven't attended a support group meeting. However, there are a couple of them in my hometown. I have had good intentions of attending but have not yet. I do have several friends that have had WLS and we keep up with each other for support. It is extremely helpful to have them to talk to.

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

I have 6 small scars from Laparascopic surgery. They have healed very well, and shrunk and they're better than I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I plateaued at 66 lbs for about 2 weeks maybe 3. I remember thinking that I had not nearly died to only lose 66 lbs. But, I soon began losing again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Everyone seems to treat me better because I treat myself better. I have more self esteem and more confidence than I've ever had. I see folks who don't even recognize me and it is so funny to watch their reactions when they realize it's me. My husband is more jealous because he says men look at me more now.
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Before & After
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