rajpurr’s questions
If you ate when you were stressed, was this a problem after surgery? How did you
handle it?
**** It’s been mostly a matter of finding other ways to get my needs met, along
with getting used to not stuffing emotional needs with food. Finding ways to
distract myself until the feeling (to eat) passes.
If you REALLY enjoy eating, was it a problem to not be able to eat
everything you wanted to? Or to not eat sweets if you have dumping
syndrome? How did you deal with it?
**** Not much of a problem, as I am scared to death of full-fledged dumping.
Immediately post-op, nothing tasted right, things still taste too sweet, so that
helps. And I try not to be in a situation where I feel deprived (I take SF
chocolates or other SF dessert to parties, etc.) And occasionally, I indulge -
yesterday, I ate a sliver of a (so-called) killer brownie (it was a sample in
grocery), and a 1 bite sample of marionberry pie. Neither was worth it - didn’t
taste that good, and made me crave 2 hours later. ‘Nother lesson learned.
(reinforced!)
Did the bypass surgery or the resulting weight loss cause changes in
your relationship with your spouse, friends or family? Any jealousy
or resentment on the part of any of them? Caustic comments? How did
you handle it?
**** A little jealousy from the sister who has always been “the thin, attractive
one”. And she’s only 1.5 years younger than me, always been jealous (”you
always got to do everything, and I didn’t!” Well, yeah, you were 1.5 years
younger, and always thought if I could do it today, you should be able to, also.
Duh!) And she’s overweight, but not quite enough to qualify for surgery, and
she hasn’t checked with a doc to see if her co-morbs will qualify her.
Were you disappointed by your physical appearance after the weight
loss? (loose skin)
**** Yes, but I’m doing everything I can to minimize it - NaPCA (a moisturizer
by TwinLab), electro-muscular stimulation (Bailine figure salon), water, etc.
And plan to wait the 2 years AFTER goal to make sure skin shrinks as much as
possible BEFORE reconstructive (except maybe abdominoplasty).
Did you have a lot of loose skin and need reconstructive/plastic
surgery, but your insurance company wouldn’t pay for it and you
couldn’t afford to have it done on your own?
**** N/A
How important were/are support groups to you?
**** Very . . . reminder that others have the same problems; many have much
worse problems than I; someplace to bitch where people actually UNDERSTAND;
support for problems, etc.
What was the most frustrating/depressing aspect after surgery?
**** Early days, not being able to eat what I wanted, as much as I wanted/was
used to. Sometimes I still have problems with this. Also, cooking is not as
satisfying, as I can cook for hours and only be able to eat 1-2 ounces of the
masterpiece, then I have to eat it for 4 days.
Any other problems or issues?
**** I don’t enjoy going out to eat as much as I used to - stuff the family
likes doesn’t work well for me. They love pizza, other high carb foods, and
places they like don’t always have good choices for me. Typically, at a pizza
place, I order a small Caesar salad, and scrape the toppings off of a slice of
pizza. usually eat as much salad as I like, then give it to DH. And a good
pizza has enough chhese and meat on a slice to fill me.
I also used to love buffets (family still does), but paying full price for a cup
of salad and one tiny portion of meat kills me. I’ve only eaten at a buffet
that was included in conferences, etc. since surgery. And I was jealous . . .
fruit, potatoes, danish, rice, dessert; are there in front of me, no cost - no
money, that is, but large costs in terms of gas, pain, dumping, etc. if I
indulge!
I am 7 months out from a VERY distal RnY, almost 100 lbs. down, 50 more to go.
No problems other than the emotional adjustments, no complications, things are
going VERY well. My husband is TOTALLY supportive, and while he seemed to like
my fat body, he is delighting in the changes in me. (He seems to see me as a
“science experiment” sometimes!) I have thrown up exactly twice, both times
from taking all my pills/vites, then eating immediately. The pills weren’t gone
yet, so I overfilled. My bad!
Rachel
320highest/305pre-op/208now/150ish or whatever works for me!
Open Distal (60″ CC) RNY 3/12/03
Dr. Ki H. Oh, Fed. Way, WA
Rachel Hawkridge in Washington State.