Stacey Corsa

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Obesity & Me

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

I was a binge eater and career dieter and suffered from abuse. What I mean by career dieter, my mother had me on diets and fasting activities from age 8 and up. As an adult I continued the cycle. I also used food as stress reliever, for comfort. Food was my lover, my enemy, my best friend, my support, my happiness, my hate, my shame, my weakness, my failure, and my crutch. Hunger is good, eating is bad. There were bad food and good foods. She would hide those bad foods from us kids. The kitchen was off limits, even for a drink of water. I used to sneak down at night and gorge on cookies, whole jars peanut butter, anything sweet I could find and then of course beat myself up and get in huge trouble the next day or whenever she found out who did it. I hated myself in every way possible inside out. My dad would call me fat names and always point out how big I was getting. Kids at school would terrorize me daily. I was the biggest both height and weight in my class for a long time.

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

The fact that you aren't accepted into society because of your size is the hardest I think. I could never understand why me? People don't understand that being overweight isn't just about eating. There are a lot of complicated underlying mental and social issues. They often play into part of the problem.

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

I can sit in a theater seat and it not dig into my thighs, I can jog a little. I have more energy. I'm gaining confidence that I've never had. People are starting to look at me different. I still have 130 lbs to loose! I'm finding every day I can do more and more! I now have 68 more pounds to loose!

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

I first heard about surgery in 2000 and was so hopeful. I think then I saw it as a miracle magic bullet. I was so excited to get it. I wanted it like a drug and was willing to do anything to get it. I'm so glad I was turned down by insurance then because I wouldn't have been successful then. They didn't have a program for me to go through, it was a nutrition class, surgery, and after care class. Nothing compared to what I am going through now. I know now that surgery is just a tool and like any tool if you abuse it and take it for granted it will fail. You have to work for it to make it happen. Nothing comes without sacrifice, hard work, commitment, a positive attitude, and the will to see it through! There are also so many options now and it's a lot safer today. I believe it is imperative that you go through a total preoperative program that includes working one on one with a dietician, going through a mental health evaluation, working with physical therapists, working with a social worker to address costs before and aftercare costs, and then seeing any specialists the surgeon deems necessary. This is not just something you go in and do. This is a life change, not a diet. This for real and forever. If you aren't willing to do a thorough program that may take time then you aren't ready for surgery. At least to ensure your success.

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

My first visit was easy. He was so reassuring and nice. He took the time to make sure I was comfortable. He explained the RNY surgery, even drew on a whiteboard. I suggest everyone do thorough research ahead of time and know the procedure before they go in and think of questions ahead of time. Write them down and take a pen to write down answers as you get them. I really didn't have a lot of questions because this was my second time around and I had asked several in the original seminar with the same surgeon.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I'm having difficulty with both my knees and I am only 37. I want to be able to act my age, get out and play with my kids, niece, and nephews. I'm scared of being put in a wheelchair. I was told that I was going to need knee replacements later in life, but that at the rate i was going with weight they probably wouldn't even consider it anyway. My doctor stressed the importance of getting as much weight off my joints as quickly as possible. My overall health isn't bad at this time and I'd like to keep it that way.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I've always known if I had surgery it would be the RNY because of my dieting history. I have messed my metabolism up so much, my body doesn't know what mode to be in sometimes.

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 have no fears.

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?

Pre-Op Everyone in my life has reacted basically the same. They are worried about the drastic solution of surgery, but at the same time very very supportive of my decision. I couldn't be more blessed.

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

I am unemployed at the moment

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

I was excited and had already made up my mind I was having surgery. I was excited to start the journey, nervous because I wasn't sure what to expect, and I think it is very important to go to a seminar. The information is so valuable, the stories are inspirational, the message is uplifting.
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