Jennifer W.

Obesity & Me

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

I was an boredom/stress eater. I was quite thin before I was married but gained all of my weight after I started having children.

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

How I fell about myself. Ashamed.

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 haven't really lost enough weight to say that I can do things now that I couldn't before. I do have some goals as I lose weight such as horseback riding and going to an amusement park to ride the rides.

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

I think I heard of the surgery on TV. My first impresions were that it was not a good thing to do because of all of the stories you hear about people who had so much trouble. But then I joined a WLS list and saw how many people were trouble free and successful.

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 4 days, not counting the day of surgery. The hospital staff was wonderful and took very good care of me. The most important things that I took was sweat pants and slippers. They really made me more comfortable.

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

I did have some complications. The surgery itself was fine and I had no pain after. My problem has bene the stoma closing up. I have had threee Endoscopies to stretch it back open and seem to be ok now. I have one more Endoscopy to check to be sure.

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 to get my date because I thought for sure I would be denied. The time seemed to fly. I never did get nervous or doubt my desicion to have the surgery. I knew that this was the right thing for me and I was well prepared.

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

The Bariatric Center that I went through has a great program and I feel very well taken care of with it.

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

My scar is only a few inches long and is smaller than I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I quickly lost 38 pounds but have only lost 3 in the past 10 days. I expected plateaus and I am not bothered by this. I know the weight will continue to drop.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Maybe, if they are, it is because I feel so much better about myself and I am sure it shows.
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