kwheen tee

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Obesity & Me

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

I have had aweight problem the majority of my life. My weight statred ballooning around the 7th or 8th grade. That is where it become more evident to myself. I have tried numerous diets which I've yo-yoed on since I was about 17 years old. always resulting in weight gain. I am currently at the heaviest weight which is 410 pounds. Finding comfort in food was my problem. Break up with a boyfreind,death of a relative, upset at home situations just pushed me, and I kept eating. One day I just had to take a good luck at the situation and had to realize that I am an emotional eater.And I have found out that I eat the most when I am angry and stressed out. Now I have more of a handle on the situation things have goten alot better.food is still my friend,I just had to learn to make healthier choices.

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

One of my worst experiences (And I have several)The first bad one was when I went to am amusment park and almost got stuck on the ride. First I squeezed into the ride,tried to pull the lap bar down and it would not close. I was trying to act like I did not know what was going on. So after many failed attempts , I was asked to exit the ride. The person who told me tried to be as nice as they could and I could tell that they were embarrassed. I just kinda played it off to make it look like I was too scared to get on the ride. But one of the worst things is not being able to keep up with the kids. They are so full of energy. All of my brothers children are under 12 years old,two of them are under 2, so imagine that.

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

There are so many thing's to name. I don not even know where to start

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

The way I found out about the surgery was through a friend of the family. She had her surgery with Dr.Fobi.I had gone with her to a support group meeting and I found it very interesting. I leaarned a few things while I was there. At the time I was working only part-time so I did not have any benefits. Although I thought about it alot I didnt do it. It was always on my mind. It has been about 3yrs and I finally have the knowledge and information that I need to go ahead and get this surgery. At first I thought that this was a radical procedure, but then I started reading everything I could get my hands on concerning wls.

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

At first I was having a problem. In the beginning I wanted to have the lap band procedure.My insurance said they could not cover the procedure because my BMI was too high. My BMI would have to be below 50. Since opting to have the gastric-bypass my insurance approved my referral within 24hrs

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

Going into the surgeons office was not a bad experience at all. One of my co-works had actually recommemded him to me. She said that the DR. was dry and had no personality, so I really did not know what to expect. Once the MD came in the room he went over my general history, asked my dieting habits. He did not in the least make me feel uncomfertable at all. He answered all of my questions for me. And he was dry as I suspected him to be. He was cracking jokes and making myself and my boyfriend laugh. I would reccommend him to anyone who is looking for a surgeon.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

After many years of yo-yo dieting , losing weight and gaining it back over and over again. I decided that enough was enough. My highest weight was 450. I lost 55pds and gained back 18 at my last attempt. I have a few nieces, nephews, and god children that I am trying to keep up with these days. Every year for Christmas eve I take them all to Disneyland. And it saddens me when it's time for the rides I am unable to get on them with them. At that point I decided that I don't want too much more time to go by before I can enjoy doing regular everyday activities with them.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

After going to th e seminar that my surgeons office had, I knew then what procedure I wanted. I knew that for sure that I did not want to have an open incision. I am going to have the lap RNY procedure done. It just seems to me that you will heal alot quicker than as opposed to the open surgery. I 'm not the type of girl to be down very long at all. So I want to keep it moving. :)

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 know I still have some fears, but what saves me is the end reward. Yes I have my fears about being put to sleep for 2hrs. I'm not too scared of having too much pain. I think what helped me is the fact that I've spoken to sooooooo many people who have had this surgery already. Everyone has been very helpful with supplying me with all of the information I need. But I am sure as the surgery date approaches some new fears will develop and I will be leaning on my peers for support.

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?

My family and friends have all been very supportive of me. However I do have one friend who sometimes is a bit discouraging. The first person I told was my boyfriend. He told me that he loved me the way that I am and would still be there for me regardless of what I chose to do. My mother was a little harder to convince,but she understands that this is my decision and thaat I want to improve the quality of life. I must be honest I told my sis in-law but not my brother yet. I'm still waiting for the right time to tell him. My friends are all great with it.Even one of my close friend is coming down from Texas to be with me for the surgery.I think once you educate them about the surgery they have a better understanding and appreciation for what you are doing.

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

I had total support from my supervisor/manager as well as my co-workers. They are all very supportive of me.I just told them that I was planning to have surgery and that I would be out anywhere from 2-8wks. They are totally okay with that. I have given them enough notice to plan for someone else to cover for me when I am out. As of right now I don't yet have a date.The sugeons ofice did say that it will be either in Sept. or Oct. I figure as long as you ar ehonest and upfront with them they will go all the way through this with you.I coulnt ask for a greater group of people to work with.
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