Weight Loss Survey Responses

The following are Sharon J.'s responses to the Weight Loss Survey:

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

My whole life - my weight issue has consumed me. Everyday - almost every minute of my life - my weight would pop into my thoughts - how it affected what I was doing or how others were viewign me. I have a family and new I had to find a way to deal with this once and for all. I am too young to waste my life worrying about life - I wanted to enjoy my life and made the decision to start doign so.

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

The worst thing about being overweight is the cruelty of others - people who have not been there - do not understand - they find it easy to call out the names and judge based on the outside appearance -they dont take into consideration who you are on the inside or where you have come from.

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

I work for an insurance co - so I knew about it - but af first did not think it was what I should do - so I took a year to try and do it myself - I succeeded at first and then (as always) the weight began to come back - after working my butt of and being put back into the same spot - I decided it was time to take care of this once and for all.

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

My first meeting was great - I used this site to prepare myself so I could ask everything I wanted to know - just being prepared and doing your research will give you the tools you need to have a successful consult.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I decided to have surgery for ME. I knew I wanted to live a healthy life and do things with my kids - I want to be the active mom - the mom they want to show off and do things with - the mom that rollarblades - rides the rides - hikes, swims - plays. I decided I no longer wanted to be the fat mom sitting on the couch because it was too hard to move - because I was too big to fit into the rides so I just watched - I want to be part of there lives - not just stand on the sidelines.

How did you decide which procedure to have?

Actually my doctor decided and I just let him decide what was best.

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 had extreme fears of dying- I have two small children and just wanted to wake up to continue being part of their lives. I have to say that the fears are normal - but you have to do what you think is right and leave the rest in Gods hands - at the point of surgery it is something you can no longer control - so you just have to do what you think is best for you

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?

I was very open with my decision with everyone - and I have to say I received nothing but support - I was/am very lucky.

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

I told the truth and received great support - lots of questions - mostly regarding the safety of the surgery - but I had done my research and showed them I knew what I was doing - I was approved for 6 weeks off of work (paid :))

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

I went in on a Wednesday and left that Friday - I felt pretty good so did not need too much help - but did receive it when i needed it. I found my robe, slippers and chapstick to be what I used the most - also a sippie cup and baby spoon (mine was given to me from the nutritionist)

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

I was one of the lucky ones - I had no complications what so ever.

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

Once the surgery was over, I relaxed. Once getting home - the fatigue was more than I expected it to be - just plan on getting pleny of rest - also - my dr. puts his patients on 3 weeks of liquids - this is tough - I would have mentally prepared myself more if I could go back.

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

My surgeon is about 2 hours away - I drove there and drive up there for my aftercare - although it is a long drive it is worth it.

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.

I have been lucky to tolerate pretty much everything i have tried. The first 3 weeks on liquids pretty much limits what you can and cant have - but I tolerated milk well, which I was afraid I might not - I also "tested" some things I should not have just because I wanted to "bite" into something. Some things tasted extremely sweet to me - for example - the sugar free popcicles were too much for me - but the fudgecicles were great -lived off of those - and all the crystal lite flavors were too sweet except the regular iced tea flavor - so that is what I used. I am just starting pureeds so I dont have too much experience yet - although I have had the beans and I had about half of one slice of homemade pizza - both went well - even the cheese.

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

the first two weeks - my activily level was low - I walked around when I could, but would get very tired so would have to rest afterwards - however - just a little over two weeks out - I feel great and I am getting ready to head back to water aerobics - i feel ready and cant wait.

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

I take two sugarfree bugs bunny chewables everyday and get my calcium from milk - that is it for now - and we will see how the blood work comes out.

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?

Nausia was only in the hospital the first day and they gave me medicine to help with that - vomiting was only once and it was becuase I ate rice - which I should not have done - and I think i ate too fast.

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

Only two things stick out to be the worst - the first to me - the NG tube - alls I can say is "YUCK" - I hated the way it felt in my throat and ate a lot of ice chips just to keep it numb. The second worst part was the upper gi I had before the tube could be removed - the stuff that gave to drink (it was no liquid barrium) - tasted awful and made me gag - but I knew I had to get it over with to get that dang tube out - so I just did what I had to do and kept gagging (luckly I had not eaten anything so there was nothing to come up) - I must say though - the second the took that tube out - i was in heaven :)

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

My main support is this site - I go in here everyday to check out the questions and answers. I also go to the monthly support meetings. It is very important to find some kind of support afterwards - it is so helpful to talk to people who are going through or who have gotten through where you are.

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

I had lap - so I have six small incisions - they are healed wonderfully and look like scratches - I am very happy.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Well - I lost 19lbs in the first week and a half - and have been there for several days now - but I know my calories are too low as well as my activity level - so I am just starting out.

What things do you most enjoy doing now that you weren't able to do before?

not that far yet - but will let you know soon :)