Cari P.

Obesity & Me

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

Ive been doing weight loss products since I was a teenager. At 12 my family was buying me Dexatrim extra strength. I was a skater and in alot of competitions and my coach was always telling me that I would be able to jump higher to do my axels and sowcows if I weighed less. After losing a competition and hearing about it from my coach, I started to binge eat. I found that when I felt down that food was a comfort for me. As I got older and had my children I started to lose the energy I had before having them. I gained gradually since then to the point where I couldn't breathe after climbing stairs ect.

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

Losing my breath and not being able to play any kind of sports with my kids without feeling like i was going to pass out.

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

Walking has stopped being a chore. I can actually breathe without huffing and puffing. And I can now play with my kids for alot longer then I was able to before, without getting tired and wanting to pass out.

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

I heard about it on 48 hours I believe. And I thought it was a bad thing to reverse your digestive tract. So I opted for the banding.

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 5 days. The nurses (well almost all of them) were nice. I found that my toothbrush, toothpaste, hair brush, shampoo and conditioner, and own body soap was a nessesity. Also don't forget your own night gown, you'll be more comfortable.

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

I ended up with a UTI and an infection in the incision. When my incision started to drip I went to ER and they told me I had a bad infection as well as a UTI. The ordered home nursing to come out for a week until the infection subsided.

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 felt scared, alot of anxiety and overjoyed. I knew about my surgery for 6 months before it because in Canada you get put on a waiting list **SIGHS**. I just tried to keep my mind off the surgery by keeping myself busy and stuff.

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

Here in Canada your pretty much on your own. The only support I have is my family, My PCP, Dietician and most of all my friends. I feel that something should be put in place here.

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

My scar is from my breastbone to my mid abdomen. Its fading to a light pink and looks like a catapillar lmao.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I havent had any plateau's yet. I have been throwing up alot of the food that I eat which is why I think i have lost so much weight so soon.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I have noticed alot of people are commenting to me how good I look. They keep asking me what it is that I am doing.
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