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Obesity & Me

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

I felt hopeless.

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

Loneliness, awkwardness, low self esteem

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

Shopping

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

Magazine Article

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. The surgeons office did everything. Just be sure to follow-up with doctor's office and insurance company

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

Be honest and ask questions even if you feel they are dumb

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

That I didn't want to die at 40 of a heart attack

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Very difficult, I kept going back and forth. But I decided on lap RNY because it is the least evasive and short recovery 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?

No fear of dying. Fear that it wouldn't work for me and I remain obese

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?

Very supportive

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

Didn't tell them. I was out 2 weeks

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

I was at Alvarado Hospital and it was great. I had a private room. The nurses were great. The only thing you needed to bring was something to read.

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?

The hardest thing for me were the cravings. I wasn't hungry I just missed food. It felt like I broke up with a boyfriend that I loved. I wanted to eat and that's all I though about. To deal with it I just had to keep reminding myself how unhappy it is to be obese

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

The first week I was still very sore and tired easily. Every day was better. 9 days after surgery I was at work.

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

2 hours

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 week jello, broth water. First 2 months for maximum weight loss: soft egg, cottage cheese, refried beans, lentil, chicken, turkey, fish, string cheese, tofu, split pea soup, peanut butter. Third month introduce some vegetables cook very well. Fifth month anything except fried foods and sugar. So far I have been able to tolerate everthing

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

The first two weeks I tried to walk a couple of blocks at least three times a day. Then I stared climbing stairs at work (4 floors) and to walk at least one miles a day.

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

Multi-Vitamin, Iron, Calcium, B12

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?

So far none of the above.

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

That you still think like an obese person after the surgery.

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

I just emailed someone regarding a support group. But I still havent attended. I am also considering individual counseling

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

I had my surgery lap so I have 6 small scars. They are minimul and it is better than what I expected

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Haven't had a plateus yet

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet
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