Debra B.

  • BMI 37.4

Obesity & Me

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

A virtual roller coaster ride, but without any enjoyment from it. I tried numerous diets and exercise plans over the years before I became disabled (not due to the excess weight, but affected by it), all with little to no improvement and always followed by a relapse of even more weight gain. The more I weighed, the more depressed I became about every aspect of my life - because the weight definately had a negative impact on all areas of my life.

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

Not being able to do things with my grandchildren and knowing that there was a very good chance that I wouldn't live ling enough to see them grow up.

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

Playing with my grandkids! Being able to buy clothing off the rack instead of from speciality catalogs!

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

Through a documentary on tv. I thought that it was a life-saver.

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

I was in the hospital for 4 days. Except for the transition from intensive care to a regular room there were no problems. The transition would have gone smoother if the IC nurse hadn't been so irritable. All the rest of the staff were great!

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

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've felt healthier since the surgery than I have in the last 25 years! To help with the small amount of anxiety that comes up, I talk to other surgery patients.

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

I started a support group here in Pittsburg, KS, but it sort of fizzled out, probably due to the small number of people in this area who have had the surgery. My support comes mostly through some family members (not all of my family was happy about me having such a drastic surgery) and the staff at Dr. Bosquez's office. I think it's very important to have a good support system!

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

The scar is about 10" long and is somewhat keloid (as are several other scars I have), meaning that it stands up off the skin just a bit. After 4 months it's still fairly reddish-purple but is ok otherwise. I knew it would be this way and that it will take a while to become less noticable.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I've only experienced 2 brief plateaus. I think that the first was due to the fact that I wasn't drinking enough liquid and the second one occured when I was in the process of moving to a different house and wasn't eating or drinking right for several days.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. For the most part people I knew before seem happy to see me doing better. I've also noticed that I don't get stared as often now.
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