emmastormy

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Obesity & Me

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

My battle has always been one of a roller coaster status...up and down. A true love of food and a place to turn in times of stress. A stress of always wanting to lose weight and never being able to

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

The health risks, feeling badly, not able to do things with my kids, feeling badly about 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't wait to be able to do so many things I couldn't do before

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

I knew about weight loss surgery although not a lot of details until I had my conference with the weight loss clinic. I thought it was a great tool to use.

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

It turned out that it was fairly easy to get my insurance to approve my surgery. I followed all the requirements that my insurance company required and it was approved quickly.

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

It was a time for information, from both sides. Make sure you write all the questions down that you have before you go to the appointment and don't be afraid to ask

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The ability to change my life

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I felt that gastric bypass was the right choice for me; I didn't want to have to continue going back for fills.

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 was worried about dying from surgery but I still felt that surgery was right for me. Talk to others about your fears...they are normal.

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?

Everyone (family and friend) was supportive of my decision. I don't think I would have done anything differently, Everyone has been very supportive afterwards to

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

I am a stay at home mom, so no boss

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

My surgery was on Monday morning at 10:30 and I was in a room by 5pm after waiting to get a room ready. I was discharged the next day about 5pm. I made sure to bring lotion, chapstick, comfy jammies, book to read with me, and my laptop as my hospital had wireless internet.

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 was excited and somewhat nervous. I had never had any major surgery at all, so this was all new to me. I did things I could to relax, talked to family/friends, talked to those online on support group, blogged

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

I am only 5 days out from surgery. I felt pretty good leaving the hospital (after being on morphine) so I was unprepared for feeling as badly as I have on the liquid pain med. I have tried to rest as much as I can, plus walking around the house. Following the drs orders as to what to eat and taking all of my meds.

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

My home is only about45-50 min 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 am still on stage one...so full liquids...lots of protein drinks, crystal light, water, blended meat/bean soups, broths, carnation instant breakfast, sugar free jello. I go back to the dr Tuesday (1 week post op) and should transgress too pureed foods (oh boy lol)

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

So far my activity level is still somewhat low following surgery...although I try to walk around the house some

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

I am taking multivitamins, B Complex, B12 and Calcium Citrate

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?

not many side effects right now..a little nausea, some problems with lying in bed after awhile (feeling bloated). No vomiting, no dumping or hair loss at this time. I've just tried o take it easy and rest as much as I can

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

hm, not sure what to answer here...maybe the initial pain when you come home, the lack of energy, being on liquids for so long...but yet none of it is really bad

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

I have support from online groups, a local support group that I can attend in person as well as support from family and friends. This is really important.

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

I have 6 incisions, total of 20 staples and it probably about what I expected

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Not enough time has passed for me to have any plateaus

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Again not enough time has passed for me to experience anything different from people
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