Michelley

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 have struggled with my weight for most of my life. I was always a heavy child and when I was 17 I finally reached a comfortable weight and thought I was "cured" forever. Boy was I wrong! When I was 21, I got a blood clot and the weight poured back on. Since that time it's been out of control and from 21-28 I was a yo-yo dieter. At 28 I was struggling trying to just maintain my weight of 380lbs. I had a RNY surgery, but now believe it was not done correctly. At support group meetings they'd joke that I hadn't really had the surgery because I was still hungry, didn't have feelings of fullness, still had heartburn, never dumped, and really didn't share anything in common with my post-op friends other than surgery scars. Now at 34 I'm trying to get a revision to have a Band over Bypass (lap band placed on my bypassed stomach).

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

Not being able to take care of yourself and do things that healthy people can do. It's a struggle to tie your shoes, to wipe your butt, to find clothing that will fit, to walk up a flight of stairs, to find a chair that you can fit in and then manage to get out of the chair. Not being able to find clothing that fits that you can actually afford. Not being able to play with your children. Having people of all ages make rude comments about your size and appearance. All of the medical problems that being overweight causes.

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

Everything that I couldn't do! Sitting in ANY chair, not afraid to sit in weak looking furniture, shopping in the ladies section rather than plus size womens, walking, soaking in the bathtub, having lots of room in my car, being the one skinny enough to get in the car when a car parks too close to it in the parking lot!, looking in the mirror, being able to properly take care of personal hygiene without not being able to reach somewhere, playing with my kids, getting on the scale, having extra room in my seat at the movie theater!

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

I initially found out when Carnie Wilson had her surgery. My first thoughts were, "Hey, that's great if you have the money or your insurance will pay for it. But we all know people who've had their stomach stapled and they just gain it back." But after doing more research, I discovered that the surgery has changed considerably from the stories I had heard and that there is a good success rate and it's made the difference between life and death in a lot of people.

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

My first visit was very informational. Lots of questions and answers. I suggest making a list of all of the questions you have. You might even want to take a tape recorder so you can review what you were told. I realized I had forgotten some of the things he had told me and wished that I had recorded it. I found that I was too busy listening to take good notes.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

It wasn't an easy decision, but with the help of *the information at ObesityHelp.com *talking to the surgeon *talking to other patients of my surgeon *talking to other WLS patients through various support groups

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 a lot of fears particularly about dying. I have young children and I'd rather them 10 more years of an unhealthy me than for me to go right away on the operating table! But after my research, talking to my surgeon, talking to other patients of my surgeon - I feel much more comfortable that the death risk is very low and the risk of complications is not too extreme. Most importantly, I know that if I do not have the surgery, I'm just waiting for my death.

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 has been very supportive of my decision.

What aftercare support group/program do you have? How helpful/important is this?

I have family who have had the surgery and I attend a local WLS support group.

What is your scar like? Is this what you expected?

It was lap, they are minimal.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Once last summer and at 201 - I'm struggling getting under 200.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I've had a lot of good feedback, lots of encouragement and people telling me how good I look (even though I feel gross from my saggy skin). I don't think people stare at me like they did, or I felt they did, when I was really big.
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
×