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Obesity & Me

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

I tried several different diets with no success. Weight Watchers, Slim fast, Atkins...you name it I tried it. It just seemed like I kept on yo-yo dieting.

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

I had high blood pressure and no energy.

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

Playing with my kids. I don't get tired like I used to.

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

My step-mother had the surgery in 2000 and told me how good it had worked for her. I was skeptical at first and after I got more information I thought I can give this a shot.

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

I had no problems with my insurance company. Paramount of Michigan is awesome. I will say that I did call and got a list of all their requirements before I submitted anything for surgery. It can take several months to get approval if you don't have all your testing done.

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

Dr. White was very informative and honest. Make sure you make a list of questions to take with you.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I decided I wanted to be around for my children. I didn't have any energy and my health just kept on deteriorating.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I researched o nthe internet and found about Liproscopic RNY. It seemed like the best option for me.

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 didn't really have any fears...not sure why now that I think about it. I guess I was just so excited that I was starting a new chapter in my life.

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?

My family has been great. My mother helped me out right after surgery and my immediate family has been very supportive also.

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

My employer was very supportive. I explained the procedure and made sure they were informed every step of the way. I was off work for 4 weeks.

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 okay. I didn't get much help from the nurses actually which is unfortunate. I was in the hospital 3 days. Make sure you bring sugar free gum, plenty to read and a comfy pair of slippers!

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

No I did not.

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 great. I didn't have any anxiety.

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

I was tired and had to pace myself. Expect your family to help you out alot. After about the first 2 weeks I finally started feeling normal.

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

20 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.

The first month I was basically on soft foods. Puddings, Cream soups, oatmeal, cream of wheat. I couldn't eat things that required a ton of chewing. No raw vegetables, salads,nuts, soda, caffeine. I had no problems with tolerance at all.

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

Moderate

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

I take biotin, one a day multivitamin 2X, vitamin B-12 once a week

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?

My hair started to fall out at about 3 months, quite a bit actually. I started taking the biotin twice a day and it has slowly started to come back. I am by no means bald! I still am losing hair but thank god it is coming back. I had really thick hair before so it hasn't been much of a problem. I did cut my hair short.

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

Waiting for my surgery date!

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

I don't have one. The group out of Toledo hospital meets the first wednesday of the month and I am always at work! Wish I could go!

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

I have 7 small incisions. Normally you get 5 but I had an enlarged liver. The incisions are just like I thought they would be.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Right now about 8 months out I am plateauing at about 170...which is actually not a bad weight to be at. I am 5'6 and was told by the surgeon they wanted me down to 166...not too shabby!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes unfortunately. People get jealous, it's funny. But well I guess it is something I expected.
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