Melissa S.

  • BMI 30.9

Obesity & Me

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

Behavior: I hate exercise, plain and simple. In order to actually get off my keester and do it, I have to think of why I'm doing it, for my kids. I stick to a diet really well, until the kids go to bed. Then anything not tied down or locked up is fair game. It has alweays been a fight for me not to overindulge. I love to eat. I love the way it feels when I have afull stomach and I feel lazy and lathargic. Food is the best "legal" drug on the market. And I am a prisoner of my addiction.

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

The worst thing about being overweight is being alone. I am a single parent and I hate being alone. I am too self-concious to date. And even if I did date, I don't have anything nice to wear that doesn't make me look like a walking tent. Lack of self-esteem. Hating yourself for lifting that fork again. Hating yourself for running to the store at three a.m. because you drank a gallon of milk and ate a box of cereal so now the kids have no breakfast. That is the worst thing about being overweight. Having your 9 yr old son tell you you need to lose weight because you are an embarassment to him. That is the worst thing about being overweight. Need I go On?

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

Crossing my legs. I know that sounds odd but, I haven't been able to sit with my legs crossed like a woman in years. I enjoy being able to cross my legs again. I love being able to swim and play with my kids. I recently became interested in rock climbing and now, we can do it as a family.

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

I had heard about surgery several years ago when researching womens surgeries. I was ecstatic! Finally, I could be skinned like a fish and have all my fat removed! Well, not exactly. But, I was truly happy that there was something that could be done. I was not sure it was the route for me and it wasn't until my mother said she was contemplating it last year that I actually took a renewed interest in it for myself. I feel it is a drastic and desperate move to make, as is any major elective surgery. I also feel, it is the only way for the majority of obese people to ever have any sucess in weight loss, not to mention all of the problems associated with morbid obesity.

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

Unlike some people I have read about, I had no problems getting my insurance to cover my surgery. The request was sent and within less than a week we had approval.

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

My surgeon kind of sounded like he was reciting information he had given out a million times, which was probably the case. Nevertheless, he has very friendly, answered all of my questions completely and was very honest about what I could expect from the procedure as well as any complications that might come up.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

As a mother of three kids and not yet 35, I decided that they needed me to be an active part of their lives. I couldn't do that as an obese person. Also, I am divorced and I felt it was time to start looking for a partner to share my life with. It's much easier to find a mate if you are not overweight.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon only performed one kind of procedure.

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?

Honestly, the chances of dying from any major sugical procedure are about the same. I would rather die trying to do something about this than die because I didn't try.

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?

None of my friends knew I was going to have the surgery. Most of my family members were supportive, if maybe just a little concerned. Everyone has been supportive since the surgery.

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

My employer at the time had had a similar operation in the 70's for very different reasons. She was very supportive as well as being able to give some good, solid advice. I was absent from work about 1 month total. I told her that I was having gastric bypass surgery and that I would need to be off of work for about 6 weeks.

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 about 12 days. I found the staff to be very accomidating and friendly. Although I packed a book to read, crosswords to do and my journal, I really only used my journal. I was on morphine for pain and the drug made it difficult to focus on my book for any length of time. I did do some crosswords though. As you cannot have anything by mouth the first few days, I found chap stick to be very helpfull as well as a few sugarless lolly pops to keep the inside of my mouth moist.

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

I had two complications. The first being severe blood loss from a nicked spleen (which was removed) requiring a blood transfusion. The second, was severe gas pain. The surgeon had failed to place a drain, so no gas was escaping causing severe pain and discomfort. I was given maalox for the gas and that did help.

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 was so excited! Having had major surgery before, I was not worried about that. I wondered how much weight I would lose in the hospital, how long it would be before I could ingest anything and I did worry a bit about dehydration.

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

The first few weeks were the hardest. I spent alot of time in bed(I don't have a recliner)and very uncomfortable. My incision itched and the top began to get infected in an area of about 1 inch long. That was right over my breast bone and very difficult to keep the bandage on. Each person heals differently so it's hard to say what to expect. Expect to be tired, have a bad taste in your mouth and to get sick and tired of chicken broth. HA HA

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

I had surgery in my local hospital. So travel was not an issue.

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 few weeks, I survived on apple juice. I could not drink water without experiencing severe gas and no other juices tasted good. I still (after 7 months) cannot tolerate juices with acid; ie cranberry, grape, orange, tomato. I found dairy to be a problem until about the 2nd month post-op. Now, I can eat just about anything.

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

My activity level was just about zero for several weeks. I began going on short walks about the 4th week and went back to work shortly after that. I began exercising in the 6th week and now swim, weight lift, and rock climb in the 7th month.

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

I take Centrum multi-vitamins and for the first few weeks after going to semi-soft foods I used Ultimate Nutrition Prostar Whey, chocolate flavor. I only drink it occasionally now.

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?

Nausia was a problem, until I realized it was because I was hungry. The only other side effect I have experienced was the hair loss. I had hair down to my bra-line and when it began coming out in clumps in the shower, it was more than I could handle. So, that morning I went to a local salon and had it all cut off. I could bear the loss if I did it myself, not if it came out in the shower. And it will grow back.

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

Staying so long in the hospital. By the end of the 9th day, I wanted to go home so badly, I cried. I missed my home, my kids, my pets. It was horrible.

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

I have no aftercare program or support group. But, my mother had her surgery just after I did and a woman I met through this site has also been there for support. It is very iomportant to have someone to compare notes with, to call when you are blue, and to share your success with.

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

My scar runs from my breastbone to my belly button. It is smooth and light pink in color. This is about what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had one plateau and am in the midst of my second. My first was after I had lost 95#s. I lost an additional 20#s and am now at another plateau.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, I have more responsibility at work. I getter friendlier service at the grocery store and other businesses and people seem just nicer in general. The best part is that sales ladies actually ask me if they can be of help when I'm buying of looking at new clothes.
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
×