Julie B.

Obesity & Me

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

I was very depressed because of my weight, I was on every type of diet you could imagine... I would start a diet and loose a few pounds, then something would happen and I would go off of the diet and gain everything back plus more... I have battled weight problems since I was 8 years old... I cried almost everynight and all I remember is being on a diet...

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

Everything... I could not fit into a seat on an airplane, I could not bend over and tie my shoes, I had to take the elevator because I would get out of breath and my knees hurt. I got treated alot different then my co workers. I didn't like myself...

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 actually walk around places with my husband and kids without having to sit and rest... I can tie my show without feeling like I have no air in my lungs.. I can go to the bathroom and feel like I am clean.. I look at myself in the mirror and feel really good about what I see.

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

I saw a commercial and thought "Yea, right"... then I had a friend that had it done and I watched her go from 298 to 160 in 10 months and I could not believe it...

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

I was very nervous when they put in for my approval but in 3 days I got the call from the Dr.'s office and I had been approved... That is not a common occurance, my friend was rejected 3 times... Just keep positive... it will happen

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

I had a wonderful surgeon, I took my husband with me so he could also ask questions, and the Dr. answered everything for us and I left feeling really positive... Go in with alot of questions, You want to be WELL informed

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I went to a couple of different doctors and talked to them, and I was basically told that I would not loose the weight without some major help... I am 45 years old and I have 2 kids, I want to be around for them and my grandchildren.... That is why I had it done..

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I studied all of the information that I could fine and asked alot of questions... I knew what I had to have and I went for 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 really didn't have alot of fears about dying, and I figured if I had complicatoins I could get through them... I know that it is a very high risk surgery and people do die.. I just prayed alot and called in all of my angels... And I talked alot to my husband about the kids and what to do if something happened..

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?

My family and friends were very supportive... they told me they were concerned but that if this is what I wanted to do, they would be there for me... And they have been.. everyone of them...

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

My Manager was not really sure about the surgery and he tried to talk me out of it... But I had my mind made up, I was given 7 weeks off of work... I have to say that I felt much better once I came back to work....

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

UC Davis is a teaching hospital, so I had alot of Doctors in my room almost every time I opened my eyes... Once I got to have Jell-o I was very excited but they ran out of green jell-o s all I got was orange and it wasn't that good... and everything smelled like chicken soup...

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

They gave me too much blood thinner before and after surgery and too much liquid during surgery, I had an internal bleed and they could not find it for 2 days, I guess I was fading fast and scared my entire family to death.... finally I got a transfusion and I got better really fast... My family took it really hard but I was pretty much out of it.. I just put my faith in the Dr's and they pulled me through...

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 very sore and could not sleep well... I was just really wanting to get past the 1 week point where they don't worry so much about leaks... I slept alot... and I think I cried some just because you are really emotional... atleast I was...

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

PROTEIN!!!! You have to do protein.. I didn't do enough protein and ended up very sick.. I had to set the timer and drink protein every 2.5 hours or I would get sick and it was miserable...

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

about 60 miles to the hospital... I had to stay with my niece for a week after I got out of the hospital so I would not be more then 45 minutes from the hospital..

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.

I could not drink milk in the beginning.. I had to use the lactaid milk. I could not and still can't eat ground beef and haven't tried steak. I still can't drink water without feeling sick but I can drink Crystal Light. I still try to do a protein drink everyday so I can take my vitamines... I craved salt really bad, now I take minerals and that is gone. I am 12 weeks post-op and just added in salads...

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

I started walking on treadmill at about 3 weeks, 1/4 mile, 1/2 mile etc... I am now doing 2 miles a day and also working on the Bow Flex.. I have lost 41 pounds and keep hitting plateaus but I love that I have the first 41 off... I only have 95 to go.

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

I take liquid multi vitamines, liquid calcium and minerals.

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?

Nausia was and is the worse for me... I get nausia every time I drink water. If I drink or eat a little to fast I get nausia but have only vomited 2 times... I sleep like a baby now but I do take a Tylenol PM at night... I have not lost any hair...

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

There is a support group meeting the first Tuesday of the month but I have not been able to attend yet... I live quite a distance from the hospital... I am currently looking for a support group closer to my house.

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

I have 5 scars that are looking better all the time.... I don't mind the scars when you consider the alternative... I figure they will continue to fade as my body continues to melt.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I had my first plateau at 25lbs down... I am now having another plateau at 41lbs down, I have been getting on the scales daily and that is not good.... I have to remember that there is water retention right before my period.... I just keep getting on the treadmill and telling myself that I am just months away from being on the boat and that keeps me going.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No really.... I have always had really great friends and a wonderfully supportive family.... My husband hugs me all the time and tells me everyday how proud he is of me... and he works out with me everyday..
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