jacreasy

member photo member photo member photo member photo member photo member photo member photo member photo member photo member photo

Obesity & Me

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

I eat what ever I want, when I want. Its pretty sad when I think about it as I didn't use to be this way before I had my daughter 12.5 years ago:( I have just been unhappy with myself for so long that I kind of feel it will never change or be any different. I guess that's why I have never really got anywhere with dieting. I know I need to do this for me and I need to be Healthy for my daughter so I can watch her grow up. She is my Whole World and I have got do do this so Ill be here with her many, many, many more years!

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

I feel very unattractive with myself. I have low self esteem, I never really dress like I should b/c I hate to shop nothing ever fits. I cant play physically with my daughter outside. I cant go to Theme Parks and ride rides with the thought of not being able to fit on the rides terrifies me, so I don't go at all! I cant be the Mother I know I need to be...

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

As of now 12/19/12 I have lost a total of 135 in just about 8 months. I feel so FREE! My life has really changed in the past 8 months. I can do so much more than I could do before and do things I never thought were possible. I have more self confidence and am beginning to love myself again for the first time in 12 years. I have ran 1 mile, I have ran 2 miles... It feels great!!! I was able to go the the Fair this year and ride rides with my daughter and that was a (NSV) None Scale Victory. EVERYDAY someone new tells me how great I look and that I look about 10 years younger. I do believe that weight puts years on your life and when you lose, you look like a new, revived person because your body is saying Thank You! I cant tell you enough how happy I am now that I have lost weight. Its a feeling that I want to last a life time. I NEVER WANT TO BE THAT PERSON AGAIN! Nothing taste as good as Skinny FEELS!

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

I first found out by requesting a booklet of info on the Lap Band. That sat in my office draws for about 4 years and I picked it up one day and said What the Hell let me call and see what this is all about. So I did and here I am almost half way there to the Sleeve (VSG)!

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

I haven't got that far yet as of November 28, 2011

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

Take notes and do your Homework First! Make all the notes/questions you need to before hand so you don't waste your time or the Doctors time. If you have a good surgeon he wont rush you and he will answer all your question. If there is more than one surgeon in the office make sure you take the time and money to meet both of them. If they rush you then, what will they do when they are operating on you?? Just something to think about.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Knowing that the Risk of NOT doing something is greater than actually having it done. I want to live and be the Mom I know I can be to my Daughter!! The Mother that I'm not right now. I want to HAPPY with myself...

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Lots and Lots of research. Being on the OH web site really help as well. Asking lots of questions...

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?

You have to be at PEACE with yourself and the decision that your making. You have to take that leap of FAITH and BELIEVE you will be OK... Do lot of PRAYING<3

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?

Well its kind of funny... My Boyfriend from the 7th grade yes 7th lol I totally thought would be supportive and isn't. My Mom on he other hand I sooo thought would be against it is really for it and me making my own decision. I haven't had surgery yet, hopefully March or April of 2012!

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

My boss is cool with it. We actually have one of our Nurses that just had the RNY about a year ago and is doing Great! There is no problem there with them knowing Ill be having the Sleeve done and me being out. Im hoping I have enough ESL time to use instead of going on STD which I would have to pay out of pocket for my Health Ins. as long as I was out. So lets hope that all will go well when the time come b/c 60% of a paycheck isn't going to cut it.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

Yes I was glad I went to a seminar... It answered a lot of the questions I had about the Band until I changed my mind and decided to go with the Sleeve. The Coordinator in the surgeons office did the seminar and he weighed 500+ lbs he had the Sleeve done and lost almost all his weight he now weighs 185 lbs. It was just nice to see someone that was bigger than me and had it done and did well... It gave me HOPE!
show more answers

ARE YOU READY TO PAY IT FORWARD & SHARE YOUR JOURNEY? Your journey will help highlight the many ways weight loss surgery improves lives and makes a difference in our families, communities and world. EACH JOURNEY COUNTS as a voice towards greater awareness.

Share Now
×