Kathy P.

Obesity & Me

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

It was a nightmare. I was on an emotional roller coaster, one day happy the next bursting into tears for no reason. I loved food, I have a food addiction. I tried fad diets (you name them I did them). I had Dr. supervised diets, prescription diet pills, Jenny Craig, Nutri-System, Metabolic Center, Weight Watchers, but no matter what or how hard I tried, I would lose a minimal amount of weight and gain back twice the amount I had lost.

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

I think the worst for me was eventually becoming a hermit, I rarely left home except to work or drive through fast food places, or perhaps the disgust in other peoples eyes when they looked at me, or the feelings of shame when I ventured out with family or friends to eat, I could not fit in a booth, we had to wait additonal time for a table, or was it the innocent child yelling hey fat lady as the parent or guardian just allowed it, or maybe it was clothes shopping. I think you get the picture as there are really way more than one worst thing in the world when you are obese.

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

This is another part of the journey I have not hit yet but I am looking forward to walking with out the use of a cane or wheelchair.

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

I found out about it years ago when it began, I was part of the people that were thinking "what are these people thinking" then of course the fear factor set in. I worked with 2 women that actually had the surgery several years after the surgery became more well known and they did wonderful. I began doing research, I found the surgery I felt was right for me, laproscopically.

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

It was fair, I had my mother with me who took care of my needs as well as seeing to it that I had my meds on time. I was there for 1 day. I was there only a short time, I took a loose fitting dress, a pillow for the ride home, and my hair brush and toothbrush and toothpaste.

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

I am now 20 days post op and so far I am feeling wonderful. I had a great surgeon and my surgery took less than 45 minutes.

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

As I mentioned I am 20 days post op and I feel great. I did not have an appetite at first but it is coming back now, I do find it somewhat hard when I am around people that are eating my favorite foods, so I try to leave the area they are in or I think about what my results will be in the next 6 months or so.

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

I belong to a yahoo support group online, I also find support from my family and friends (some of them are the same ones that did not want me to have surgery). I also find my faith in God to have brought me this far with such success. I find all these things very important, I have made a lot of friends along the way and when you have so much positive things happening from their support it makes it so much more easy.

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

I do not think I will have much of a scar due to the type of surgery I had. I don't think I would mind the scar if I do get one, it can't hold a candle to the scar living life as a fat person can leave on your mind and soul.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have not reached this far in my journey yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, but I have noticed how I have been much kinder to people.
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