shari S.

Obesity & Me

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

I started thinking about the pouch surgery sometime in 1998. My doctor said that its not for me (I was about 100 pds overweight with high blood pressure, knee problems, back problems etc). This got more depressed and gained (and lost) another 40 pds the next few years. I started dieting at age 8. Lowest adult weight was 162 at age 26 but i swear it was only for one month. Lots of diets, drugs, social workers, etc.

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

The depresseed feeling all the time. Not really able to "see" yourself. The tired feeling and pain on joints. The way people sometimes looked at you.

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

Everthing, I dont have to think about if I will fit in a ride or worried about things being far to walk to.

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

The pouch, Roseann Barr. I wanted it. Dr. said no. A few years later I changed doctors and this doctor gave me brochures without asking for it. At first I was angry and said no, last resort, I will go on a diet. Went of Merida. Lost some, gained more. Finally, 9/11 happened and being a new yorker that works near ground zero, i realized that life if short and why wait. Within 2 months had my appoint with surgeon.

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

I really had very little pain since I was on morphine drip for 2 days. Since I had some complications (blood transfusion and sugar was high) they kept me in ICU. I was in on tuesday and out on thursday morning.

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

see above- everyting else went fine

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 first 6 weeks were hell and i was very sorry that I did this and swore that i should have stayed on weight watchers. After the 6th week, the sun shined in and I was able to eat a lot more, thus feeling alot better.

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

My surgeon has sent up weekly meeting with a great theperist. I also have been seeing someone privetly the last year.

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

5 little red marks, anywhere from 1/4" to 1/2", no big deal.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Although I have lost 80 pds in 6 months, sometimes it take 3 weeks or more until that scale moves. Of course, the picking of snacks that I have been doing is not helping

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. I used to be one of the last seats people sat next to on the bus but not anymore. People tend to want to talk to me more (I guess I became more approachable.)
show more answers

ARE YOU READY TO PAY IT FORWARD & SHARE YOUR JOURNEY? Your journey will help highlight the many ways weight loss surgery improves lives and makes a difference in our families, communities and world. EACH JOURNEY COUNTS as a voice towards greater awareness.

Share Now
×