M S.

Obesity & Me

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

I must say I am an expert at losing 25 pounds. I excel even more at gaining 30 back. It has been a long road and this was not an easy decision, because I thought of it as a weakness. It is pretty serious to have this type of surgery. But for the first time I know that I will be sucessful and those little worries about never achieving my goals are gone.

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

Not being able to keep up with my kids and husband. Not having the energy to go hiking. No being able to buy the clothes I wanted. Worrying about getting sugar diabetes.

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. Wearing fun clothes.

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

I have two friends that have had the surgery and they are both healthly and happy. I have seen so much positive come out of this type of surgery. When I first found out about it I was skeptical and I thought it was a crutch. Maybe it is, but it is the crutch I need to help me walk into a heathier life.

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

My insurance was approved on the first day. My surgeons office is experienced at getting these approved and had all the necessary paperwork, doctors visits set up.

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

My husband attended the first visit with me. My surgeon was personable, took time to answer all my questions and was concerned about me. Before getting an appointment with my surgeon we were requried to attend an information meeting and they gave us a packet of information at that time.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Health reasons and the support of my husband gave me the courage to have this surgery. It truly seemed like the only choice.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I went to several meetings from several surgeons and talked with friends that have had the surgery. The Roun-e-Y seemed the best 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 had a real fear of doing something selfish for myself and dying. So when I awoke in recovery I was happy. I still worry about blood clots so walking is important (I am less than a week postop). I think everyone has to weigh there need to live longer because of better health, their present quality of life, and their needs to access if it is worth it. My husbands support really was the clencher or whether to have it or not. He wants me around for many years and we have many plans to have a more active 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?

I was suprised at the overwhelming support of my family. I did not tell very many people at work. I did not think they needed to know. I explained the surgery to them and they were very supportive. I have one sister who has the same problem as me and I think she is looking at how I have done and will decide if it is for her.

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

My supervisor only knows that i had surgery. I did not go into detail what kind I was having. Did not think it was any of his business. My 2nd level supervisor was scared for me. She tried to talk me out of it. Mainly because she was afraid of me having surgery. I am planning to be out of work for about two weeks.

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

I had my surgery at Scrips/Mercy Hospital in San Diego, CA. The care was excellent. They put all of the bariatric patients on the same floor and really know how to help them. I had my surgery on Wednesday and was released on Saturday afternoon. I think slippers are the most important thing to bring.

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

NO

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

It is a little scary one you go home, I have not fully got a concept of how it is to feel full. I read something that says to just feels like pressure. Learning to drink tiny sips has also been interesting. Not hard, just a challenge.

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

Sleeping is a challenge, I tend to wake up several times during the night trying to get comfortable. The incision is very sore. Also, I have not cooked. I find that it very hard right now. I am stil on a liquid diet for a couple of more days.

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

It is about 3 hours away. My surgeon has offerred to schedule my check up appointments at closer locations before the information meetings. I will probably take him up on this.

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.

It has only been one month and I know can eat any soft food, chicken and fish. I found chicken breats a little more challenging because the meat is drier and harder to digest. It is the one food that sometimes hurts after I eat. I must not chew it good enough. I begin my day with a protein shake. For lunch I eat cottage cheese, turkey or chicken, cheese or some other food like that. I am really carefully to stay away from too much sugar. I do drink decaf coffee with nondairy creamer, but only about 1/2 cup a day.

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

I made my self walk most everyday. At first I could only walk about an 1/2 mile, but by the end of the second week I was up to a mile and half. It has been almost 4 weeks and I have found that it is getting easier. Today I did two miles, then came home and did sit ups. Most mornings before work I go to the gym and try to do at least 30 minutes on the elipse machine. (Its kind of like riding a bike standing up). I hope to get in an hour of exercise everyday soon. My surgeon said you need to make sure you exercise a lot during the first six months because that is when you lose 80 percent of the weight. After that it is much slower.

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

I take a multiple vitamin, prevacid and my hormone supplements. At six months post op I now take a multiple vitamin, calcium, b12, zinc and magnesium

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?

I had nausia for the first two days after surgery. Once that passed I have not had it again. It has been only one month so hair loss has not yet been an issue.

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

I did not expect the recovery to be as intense as it was. The two days of nausia made it very hard for me to get up and walk around. Every time I started walking I felt sick. The scar that I have is also very itchy and sore. I know this will get better with time.

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

I go monthly to a support group. I feel it is extremely helpful in keeping me on track and in sharing my story with others.

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

My scar is about 7 inches long. I did not expect it to be that large. It is also very itchy. I am going to start using vitamin E cream on it to see if that helps.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

It has been four weeks and I have experienced by first plateau. I have been the same for the last 4 days. It seems funny that you can plateau with as little food that I eat.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I am now 6 months post op and people definitely treat me differently. I have 70 pounds lighter than I was and where a size 12. People take you more seriously when you are thinner. The people at my work place do not know I have had surgery. They do know I work out daily and that I eat better. I am glad I did not tell them because of the way they treated a co-worker that did have the surgery.
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