Molly S.

  • BMI 40.0

Obesity & Me

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

My battle has gone on since I was little. I had always been chubby, but after I turned 13, I really started to put on weight. I was the last person to be chosen for any team, and the first to be ridiculed. My classmates thought I should have been put into a special class because they felt that being overweight lowered my IQ level. My grandmother (adopted, and very petite) would tell me I was too fat, and then feed me hot fudge sundaes. I went to my prom alone, and didn't have one dance there. College was just as bad, and I continued to be depressed about my weight. I was never able to lose the weight, no matter how or what I tried. At one point in my life, the struggle got so bad I tried taking my life 5 different times in one year. It was terrible.

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

Currently, it's having to try and walk across the room. My feet and legs have taken such a beating after being obese for so long, that they are no longer supporting me. Before, it was being stared at, and laughed at by kids or my peers.

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

I'm exercising... Didn't do that before. Heck, COULDN'T do that before.

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

I had heard of bariatric surgery when I was in my teens, but figured I could lose the weight on my own, with no problem. I didn't think my weight problem would ever be bad enough to warrant surgery.

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

In a word, hellish. My insurance company has put roadblock after roadblock up to keep from paying for the surgery. Now, they are stating that, since I don't have diabetes, and I'm being treated for a "severe" psychological disorder (I'm taking Prozac because I'm depressed due to the weight), I don't qualify. This has gone on for a year now. My best advice for people has been to keep fighting. You cannot give up. Sooner or later, people have to see what a problem obesity is, and how to help people like us.

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

Dr. McConnal was WONDERFUL. He was attentive and gave me a feeling of trust right away. You can get the most out of your surgeon by telling them right off what's going on. Don't be shy and leave out the "icky" parts. They're doctors. They know...

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I kept gaining weight, and it finally dawned on me that I was no longer going to be able to walk if I didn't. It was already affecting my work. I'd lose over 1/2 the month from being sick.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I chose the biliopancreatic bypass because I felt it was safer, had less side-effects, and I would have less of a chance of having to go back in to redo it later.

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?

There is always the fear of dying with any surgery. I was terrified to have my tonsils out. The best thing you can do is meet with the people who will be doing the surgery and the anestesia, and talk with them about possible side effects. Going into the surgery with eyes wide open is much better than imagining what "could" happen.

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?

My sister didn't feel I should have it, and neither did my fiance at first. He's come around now that he has to watch me in pain all the time. My mother was and still is very supportive of me. My attitude is, it's my body, and my life, and you don't have to live with it. If you love me, you'll support me. If you don't love me, you can get out of my life.

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

My employers and supervisors have all been extremely supportive. They all feel this will be the best thing for both me and the company. I will be off work about 3 weeks recouping at home.

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

I was in ICU for about 8 hours, and then in recovery for another 5 days. It was BORING!!!! But I was so tired, it didn't matter much. Books would have been interesting, but I didn't have much energy to read them for any length of time. Audio tapes and CD's are a good thing...

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

No complications from the surgery at all. The day after I was released I was out shopping. <G>

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 in pain, but not as much as my roommate had been. I think it was due to the incision being different. I didn't really have any anxiety, other than wanting to go back to work.

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

I slept upright (mostly) in a recliner for the first 3 weeks, then was able to sleep in my own bed. My mom was with me, so she helped me out alot the first week or so, and then I started taking care of the house myself as it became easier. She left a week early, since she felt I was doing fine. I ended up driving by week 3.

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

Across town. Luckily, I live in SE Portland, so it wasn't too hard of a drive to and from the hospital.

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.

Milk products were a no-no, and still are on a limited for me. I was mildly lactose intolorant before the surgery, but afterwards? Yeesh! I think it has to do with little or no lining on the intestines and stomach afterwards. It's harsher. It's gotten better in the last six months, though. No spicy foods for the first 2-3 months, had a bad reaction to them... Other than that, just a reminder that I couldn't eat as much as I thought I could...

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

It went from very low the first week, to medium the second, to normal the third week. I was about ready to tear my hair out if they hadn't let me go back to work.

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

I take whey protein supliment shakes 3 times a week, and daily children's chewable vitamins and calcium.

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?

Hair loss happened about month 4 or 5. I didn't think it would, but it did. It's slowly coming back in, but that was when I decided to introduce the whey protein powder to the daily ritual.

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

Being woken up in the middle of the night in the hospital: "Ms. Southard, wake up and look at me... We have to take your vital signs." PPPPPppppppttttthhhhhhh!!!!!!

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

I haven't had too many. The ones that are prominant in my area are for the RnY patients, and unfortunately, they don't have the same understanding of what me and my roommate have gone through. So, my roommie and I talk to one another about stuff, and go out together. It's wonderful support, since we've known one another for over 8 years now, anyway.

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

It's big, and sideways... like a large, upside-down checkmark. It's a bit larger than I expected, and there is no feeling to the skin directly below the scar for a number of inches. The Dr. says it's normal, and it should come back in a while.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I haven't had any yet, or none that I noticed.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. Men, especially. They are much more attentive, and willing to talk to me now. Also, my work has noticed the change, and my co-workers are continually impressed with how much I'm improving overall, including my attitude.
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