Patti C.

Obesity & Me

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

I have joined the Weight Watcher Program four different times, I have tried a lot of different programs on my own (Atkins, grapefruit, cabbage), I went to a diet doctor and took weight loss pills for a year...all of them worked for me at first, but once I would hit a plateau -- I slowly would start putting any weight that I lost back on. I eat when I don't feel well, I eat when I am stressed, I eat when I am bored... The only time that I can't eat is when I have a broken heart, but that is a terrible thing, so that isn't worth it.

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

The worst thing about being overweight is the way I feel about myself. I don't feel good physically as it is hard to breathe if you walk just a little too fast, my ankles and knees sometimes feel as if they may not hold my weight up. I hate the fact that the seats at a show, on a plane, in a stadium are all made for average weight people. I have to scrape my body in to them and then fell uncomfortable the entire time that I am sitting in them.

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

So far the thing that I've noticed that is much easier is walking. I don't breathe like I've just ran a marathon. I can get my panty hose on a lot easier. Tying my tennis shoes is already easier. I am looking forward to these things even getting easier.

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

The story of Carnie Wilson was probably the most visual thing for this surgery. I had just started the diet pill regimen when she had her surgery and my thoughts were at that time -- if this pill thing doesn't work, I'm going to check into this surgery. Well -- the pill thing didn't work out...I surfed the internet and was surprised that Michigan did this surgery. It seemed like a California thing only!! When I spoke the the Bariatric Treatment Centers I was surprised to hear that my insurance could possibly cover this surgery. That is when I really got serious. I then heard that a local hospital was just starting program. I called their referral service and was introduced to my doctor. I had a cesarean section with my last pregnancy, so surgery wasn't something that I was afraid of because I didn't think that was any big deal. Then when I heard that this hospital did the lapriscopic bariatric surgery, that just sealed my decision.

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

I was denied my surgery through my insurance company, but I went all the way to the top person at my company to get an answer that satisfied me.

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

I was extremely nervous about my first appointment with Dr. Hanks, but that was put to rest from the minute I walked into his office. The staff and Dr. Hanks were wonderful. What I wanted to get out of my first meeting was the doctor's qualifications, how his staff responded to him, the surgery procedure, the process to get to the surgery, and to make sure that I wasn't just a number. All of that was accomplished plus more with my first visit. I had all my questions written down that I wanted to know, as well as questions that my friends and family had asked.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I want what this surgery can give to me, a new lease on life!! Once I checked into the surgery -- there wasn't a decision to make!! This is for me!!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decided on the Laperscopic RNY, because it seemed less invasive and healing time would be easier.

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 haven't really thought about dying from this surgery. Anytime you have surgery, there is that chance. The only fears that I have is that what if the surgery doesn't work for me...

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?

All were very supportive in my decision for surgery. My family and friends all know that my life is always one big diet after another, and that I am not happy about my weight. I've had a few tell me about someone who knew someone that had horrible problems after the surgery. I tend to ignore those comments...

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

I didn't really allow anyone to be negative about the surgery. I think because of my attitude, everyone could feel that I didn't want to hear it, so they were supportive. I know that a few people at work thought that I was crazy... I was out of work for three weeks. I had a hard time my first couple of days back to work, but it was because I was used to taking a nap during the day. Once I got used to not napping, being back to work was no problem at all.

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

All that I wanted to do after my surgery was sleep. On a scale from 1 to 10, my pain was never higher than a 3. I had my surgery on a Tuesday, and I went home on Thursday afternoon. I brought all kinds of things in my bag, but the hospital supplied all I needed and everything that I brought went back home unused.

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

No complications at all from my surgery. I think that it went as close to perfect as possible. Thank you Lord!!

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

There really wasn't any pain from the surgery itself. I didn't like the gas pain that came a couple of days after the surgery, but once that was worked out it was a fine. Getting used to food is quite an ordeal. There was some mourning that I can't eat the way I used to or guzzle a glass of water down, but then you see that weight loss and you realize -- that is what I went through all of this for. You get over that real quick!!

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

I actually felt pretty good once I got home from the hospital. Working out the gas was the worst part of it all, and that wasn't that bad. My C-section was worse than the WLS surgery. WLS patients should just expect to move slowly, take the time to rest and recover and get ready for the ride of your life.

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

I only had about a 20 minute drive to 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.

In the first 3 months the following are the things that I could eat: block cheese, cottage cheese, cream soups, ritz crackers, triskets, sugar free ice cream and popsicles, nuts, graham crackers. Sometimes I could eat, sometimes it didn't settle well: potatoes, re-fried beans, navy beans, crisp bacon, grilled cheese. Most meats and eggs do not settle well at all yet. At almost 7 months post op -- I still eat a lot of cheese and beans. Meat doesn't always sit well, and eggs make me nauseous.

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

In the beginning I was extremely tired and walking was a chore. At three months out -- my energy level is better than before surgery and feel that I can pretty much do anything.

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

2 Sugar free childrens vitamins a day and 4 extra-strength tums daily for the 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?

So far handling the nausea from eating, and the vomiting part have been a big part in my recovery, but you do learn to listen to your body and stop eating things altogether, or take smaller bites, or chew better to avoid the nausea and vomiting. I have dumped, but the feeling is no different to me than before surgery when I would eat food that would go right through me. I have been tracking what I have eaten, when I dump so that I stay away from them when not at home, but it doesn't happen all the time -- so I am still working on that. The biggest thing that I am dealing with is getting full so soon. It is great because I can't eat much, but it is hard to get everything in during the day because the amount I can eat is so small. I try to eat protein first and then fill in with other foods.

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

The NG tube!! I hated that thing in my throat. I gagged when I tried to talk or swallow. It seemed that my recovery was immediately quicker the minute that thing came out.

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

My doctor's office is so new that they don't have a support group yet. We all keep on bugging them so hopefully they will start up soon. I use this web-site as a major part of my support group. I have met many of my doctor's patients on this site and we talk to each other about the different issues that we encounter. I think that a support group is very important. I needed more support prior to the surgery then I do now, but it is necessary to have it when you have a question that needs to get answered.

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

I had lap so my scars are small. I have marks that are 1/2" or smaller and one that is about 1-1/2". They are smaller than what I expected. I haven't had any problems with my incisions.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

At three months out, I haven't had a plateau yet. At over six months out, I haven't had a plateau yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People are starting to notice my weight loss. It is nice to hear the compliments!! I have noticed that some guys take a double look at me...that hasn't happened since my 20's. Boy is that good for a girl's ego!!
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