Karen V.

Obesity & Me

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

low self esteem, depresesed, constantly on a diet.

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

Low energy, weight related health problems

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

Put on my socks, be comfortable in airline seats, shop for small clothes right off the rack, not hurt from arthritis, not spend so much eating, participating in sports, not worrying about how I look.

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

magazine

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 4 days and my stay was great! They took good care of me. The most important thing to bring was a Chap Stick, I couldn't have gotten along without it.

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

I had no complications with the surgery, other than people not recognizing me after the weight loss.

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 don't think I was very anxious. I was more excited than anything.

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

The internet was my aftercare support group. I joined many lists both before and after my surgery and they were extremely helpful.

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

My scar has been amazing. They are almost gone. I had the surgery done laproscopically and had seven one inch scars. All of them healed right up and now at two years look great.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I plateau once in the past two years, at about 150 pounds. I just kept eating the way I had been and it lasted only a couple of weeks. When I reached 133 pounds I stopped losing, so you might say I've reached the final plateau.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People have been treating me different. I have not had any adverse treatment from coworkers, friends or anyone for that matter. Everyone has been very positive and complimentary.
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