I am a person who
researches everything
before making a
decision. Whether it is
analyzing restaurant menus,
vacation destinations or
which coffee maker to buy,
I want to know what I am
getting. I approached bariatric
surgery the same way. I
read everything I could get
my hands on. I went to all
of my pre-op appointments
and talked to others who had
bariatric surgery. I researched
as much as I could so I would
be as prepared as possible.
Yet, here I am with a list of
things that never came up in
my research.
Following is that list. If you
haven’t had bariatric surgery
yet, remember that everyone’s
journey is different. I hope you
read this and save it so you
can remember these things
are a normal part of the post-
bariatric surgery experience.
Food and Eating
• It can be very hard to see others eat.
I hid upstairs while my family ate “real food” when
I was on the liquid diet immediately after surgery.
During this time I also skipped social events that
revolved around food. It was challenging,
but I needed it to adjust to my “new normal.”
• Life still revolves around food – or at
least what you ingest. Instead of being able to
forget about eating, your day consists of:
• Counting uid ounces, grams of protein
and supplements
• Planning when you will eat and what you will eat
• Spending a lot of time, thought and eort on the
management of your food intake
• Other people still focused on the food I was
eating. Before surgery, there were looks and comments
like, “Aren’t you eating too much?” and, “Should you be eating
that?” After surgery people made comments ranging from,
“You aren’t eating enough,” to opinions on what you should and
shouldn’t be eating.
Changes in Your Body
• Side effects happen. All or some
may occur and can be unpleasant. It is
important to remember to keep in contact
with your medical team. ey can help you
get through any issues you may have. ese
complications can include:
• Acid reux
• Dumping syndrome due to sugar intake
• Potential vitamin deciencies
• Hair loss
What I Wish I Knew
about Bariatric
Surgery BEFORE
I Had Bariatric
Surgery!
by Kristal Hartman
• Positive changes in your
health happen. Being
able to stop taking some of the
medications you were on prior to
surgery can occur just weeks or a
few short months after surgery.
• Weight Loss Surgery changes
your stomach, not your head. For the
most part, surgery only changes how much you
can eat in one sitting. It does not change how
you cope with stress and boredom, and how you
handle celebrations and sadness. We need to
make these changes. is is as much of a mental
journey as it is a physical journey.
• It takes your brain time
to catch up to your
current status. Even now,
I feel like I am still the person
carrying excess weight. And I am
more than ve years out from
surgery. Post-bariatric patients
frequently report that they still see
themselves at their pre-surgery size.
Body Dysmorphia is a very real issue. After
surgery, your body changes sizes so quickly
that it can feel both liberating and frightening to
be smaller.
• Excess skin is a real
thing. I didn’t realize the
saggy, excess skin would make
me feel so self-conscious.
To this day I still want skin
removal surgery because I feel
uncomfortable in my post-weight-
loss body.
• Weight-loss gets harder as time
passes. Immediate weight-loss is easy. As
time passes, weight-loss and management
become harder. Remember, obesity is a
chronic disease. Weight management will
always be part of your life. Eating right is not
easy or automatic. Weight regain is a FACT
OF LIFE. It will happen, but continuing to
work with your healthcare team can make it
manageable.
• Non-scale victories are
great. ere are more benets
than just losing weight like improved
mental health; increased libido; joint
pain relief; increased fertility and
reversal of obesity-related conditions
like heart disease, diabetes, sleep apnea
and hypertension. Enjoy all of them!
What I Wish I Knew
about Bariatric
Surgery BEFORE
I Had Bariatric
Surgery!
Beyond the Physical Changes
•
Bariatric surgery can change relationships.
ese changes can be good and bad. People in your life may think
you are not the same person. ey might feel self-conscious about
their own weight so they lash out or pull away. Or they may be
uncomfortable with how much attention you are getting or how
dierently you are treated by the general public.
•
Strangers only see the current you.
It is odd to feel both
relief to interact with strangers who are not judging me for my weight
and feel mad at being treated dierently just because I weigh less.
•
It can take time to feel comfortable telling people
you had bariatric surgery.
I often hear fellow patients call
it their “dirty little secret.” is is because both before and after
bariatric surgery, we face judgement, weight bias and weight stigma.
•
Bariatric surgery is an emotional,
physical, mental and hormonal
roller coaster.
You need a solid support
system in place. is support system can be:
• Your family
• Your friends
• A support group
• Your surgeon
• Your weight management physician
• Your nutritionist
• Your psychologist
For me, I needed ALL of these support people PLUS the
ones I met through the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC).
After my very rst Your Weight Matters Convention, I knew I had found “my
people” and this organization has been and will be instrumental in my own
weight-loss journey. If you aren’t already, become an OAC Member. en
you too, can realize the benets of having this amazing group of people
stand beside you for support, education and advocacy as you navigate your
way through your own weight management journey.
Summing it All Up
Even knowing what I know now, none of these experiences would have been
enough to make me change my mind before surgery nor regret my decision
since I had surgery. Bariatric surgery doesn’t “x” everything in your life, but it
sure does give you a whole new perspective on living your best life possible.
I am doing things I never thought I would do and I feel the healthiest I have
ever felt. Having bariatric surgery is simultaneously the hardest and best
thing I have ever done for myself. It is a life-long process, and it is my hope
that sharing my experiences helps you in your own journey!
About the Author:
Kristal Hartman is a proud member of the Obesity Action Coalition
(OAC) and is honored to serve as a member on the OAC National Board
of Directors. She had gastric sleeve surgery in August 2014 and it was the
hardest and best decision she ever made for herself. She is passionate about
her work in Biomarker and Genetic Research for Precision Medicine in
Oncology, Obesity, and other Chronic Diseases.
What I Wish I Knew continued from page 53
