Wanda S.

Obesity & Me

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

I have been big all my life, I came into this world weighing 12 lbs and it was up hill after that. At first it was just something I accepted, then as I got older I went the usual routine, Weight Watchers, Atkins and anything that people said worked but it didn't, Richard Simmons became my new best friend, he motivated and that is what I thought I needed. But alas that did not last for long.

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

Knowing the things that my children had to listen too from having and overweight Mom

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

Cleaning my house, having the energy to do what I want, when I want, to be able to walk and not have to stop and catch my breath, it is wonderful.

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

I heard about it years ago, and it was always in the back of my mind, I wanted to have it but the time was never right.

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

I was very fortunate, I was approved the first time.

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

It was very informative, but then I am a person that will ask a lot of questions, and that is what you need to do, to this day I still ask questions, I have been known to go into his office with a note pad that I have written questions on, because if you don't there will be things you will forget.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The fact that I wanted to live the rest of my life enjoying it as I haven't done in a long time.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The surgeon I used only did the open at that time.

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?

To be honest I never was afraid, not at all. But if you have fears then you need to talk about them and figure out what to do about them.

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?

They were excited for me, and have been wonderful through it all. No, I would not have done anything different. I did this surgery for me not them so no matter what their reaction was I would have had it done.

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

My hospital stay was uneventful, I went in on Monday and came home on Wednesday. You know I don't know that I actually used anything that I brought from home.

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

None

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

Well the first week, I thought, I can't believe that I actually volunteered to do this to myself, I was having one of those pity parties, you know poor ole me, but it passed quickly. I can cope pretty well with just about anything so I have really had no anxiety over this, I went in with my eyes wide open.

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

I had a great love affair with my recliner, it was my friend, my bed, I stayed there for a long time. You can expect to be tired but as you get up and start moving around you will start to feel better.

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

I traveled about 65 miles one way. I had no problem with aftercare, I have a telephone and when I needed to talk to the Dr office I called.

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.

I am 6 months out, and I am still in the honeymoon phase, which means that I am never hungry. At first I did clear liquids, then I went on to soft foods, like mashed potatoes, and now I still don't eat hardly anything. I can not tolerate chicken prepared anyway, I can only eat hamburger and that has to be made by me, I can't eat Burger King, I do eat some baked fish. I also eat salads. I have eaten no refined sugar, everything I eat is sugar free.

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

At first it was slow going you know like a turtle, but as the days progressed and I started moving around more the easier it became. And now there is no slowing me down.

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

I take a multi-vitamin daily, I take 4 Tums for calcium, and I do protein shakes anywhere from 2-3 times a day.

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?

Nausea, has been the worse, I have never actually vomited, but I sure would have felt better it I could have. Time is a healer for all things and nausea is no different.

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

i was attending a support group, but I went back to school, so now I use the WLS chat room for my support, the people there have been through just about everything that you can imagine and they are such a great help.

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

The scar is not bad, I knew it was going to be what it is, I can live with it.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have not had any, but I am sure they are on the way.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, not really, I have always been out going and I still am, I never meet a stranger.
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