Shauntain B.

Obesity & Me

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

Being overweight has put a terrible burden on my life. I have no energy to do the things that healthier people do without thought. I can't even walk from my car to my job without being out of breath. My muscles ache, and ohh to be able to cross my legs like a lady would be wonderful!

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

Embarrassment and fatigue.

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

Crossing my legs!!! I can also walk up a flight of stairs without stopping half way to take a break.

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

After begging my PCP for diet pills or something to help me, she told me that because of my anxiety attacks I was not a candidate for diet pills and suggested that I maybe look into WLS. She gave me the name of the best in Louisville, and I followed it from there.

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

I am one of the few fortunate people who got an approval right away, so I would not be the most educated person in this section.

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

Wonderful, but I went in armed and loaded with questions and my doctor answered each and every one of them totally and honestly.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

If I don't have the surgery I am scared that I won't live to see 50.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

This is a wonderful question. I spent months studying the different types of wls. I decided to go with the safest and most effective. Not to mention less time in the hospital.

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 look at it this way, my family would have more respect for me if I died trying to help my weight, than to die of a heart attack because I did nothing.

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?

I am preop, but my family is very supportive of my decisions.

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

My coworkers were very supportive. They even brought in a dozen of the most beautiful hot pink roses I have ever saw. I told them the truth. You would be surprised the response I got. Each person had different questions.

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

The nurses and staff at Norton Hospital were the nicest I have ever met. They were so attentive and there for my pain relief each of the 3 times I asked for it. I think the most important thing I brought was antiseptic cleaner, and handiwipes. Oh yeah don't forget chapstick is very important. I was in for 24 hours.

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

No complications at all, but my doctor found a hiatal hernia and repaired that on site. Still in all my surgery was one and a half hours.

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

My biggest fear was not waking up after my surgery. So the moment I woke up I prayed really good. I was the happiest ever.

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

First week was a bit slower, but not untolerable. Took a bit of effort to get up from a seated position. Second week, no complications except still gas pressure in my left shoulder occasionally.

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

10 miles

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 was on liquids only first two weeks. Chicken Broth, tomatoe soup, drinkable yogurt, etc... Second two weeks are mush. Soft boiled eggs, oatmeal, pasta, etc...

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

Back to normal after one week.

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

Centrum chewable once daily, plus 60 grams of protein.

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 no side effects except the gas pain in my left shoulder.

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

Liquids for two weeks.

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

Kyanna Bandsters, wonderful group of people. We have get togethers and compare scars, have fun, its great.

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

Less than 2 inches. Healing very well, probably won't leave much scar. Betther than expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I may only plateau for a week or so, but gain no weight back, Thank Goodness!!!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, People say "What's up skinny." How much weight have you lost? You are looking so much better, etc...
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