Tammy P.

Obesity & Me

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

I have always been overweight. It has always kept me from doing things that I wanted to do. I never tried anything new because I was afraid of being made fun of or being the butt of fat jokes. I never felt good enough, and i was depressed alot.

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

The worst thing is watching your family have fun and do the things you are too scared to try. I wanted to ride bikes with my family and go to the water park and ride the water slides and enjoy myself, but fear kept me from it.

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 buying clothes in the "regular" peoples department! I enjoy being able to discuss my weight (my TRUE weight) with my friends. I enjoy not having to look at a weight limit on something before buying it or using it. I enjoy being able to try new things and not be afraid of being embarrassed or made fun of.

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

I found out thru friends and the media. I was thinking it was far out of my reach. Not even possible financially. I dreamed about having it "some day".

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 wonderful. I had great nurses and staff.The most important thing I needed was my lip gloss! My lips were so dry after surgery, and I couldn't have anything to drink so I needed the lip gloss.

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

I had NO complications at all. I was very lucky!

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

The part I wasn't ready for was the depression about eating. I went from eating "my normal" to eating nothing. It is a hard thing to get used to. I would smell the food and want it but I knew I couldnt eat it. Every commercial on TV would be about food. It took me a couple of months to adjust to my new way of eating.

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

I have had several friends who have had the surgery so we talk about it alot, and I attened a support group thru my Dr's office. It was helpful in learning and coping with the new life after surgery.

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

I had LAP, so my scars are hardly noticed. I have to really look sometimes to see them. This what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I started out losing really fast. I have slowed down to about 5-10 pounds a month now, but thats ok. I just keep it my mind that I am not going to gain and that I just have to be patient.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, I do notice people treating me differently. People who used to not talk to me very much talk to me more now. They are constantly telling me how good I look now. (Was I THAT bad before??) It is amazing how people make comments after you lose weight, that you look so much better now.
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