naillady54

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Obesity & Me

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

I guess I have been like almost everyone else in this department.The emotional battle has been a hard one to over come. The eating,the eating and the eating...Then being so unhappy with myself I eat some more. I have tried a number of fad diets and also just tried to loose on my own, but as always I gain more weight. I sometimes think why me??why am I the only one like this and having this problem..I soon found out I'm not alone. I guess no I know I can fight this and I will..

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

I thing the worst thing about being overweight is the way people lkook at me. It's like..you know if you would just stop eating you would loose the weight. HaHa, little do they know!!! I also have aproblem with being seen with my kids..Oh sure I know they love me. But it's just so hard to go places with them and not have people look at me the way they do. I don't think my kids realize the looks I get..But I do and it sometimes hurts.

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 love working in my garden...I can now go for long walks with hubbie.

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

I have an older sister who has surgery and is almost to her goal weight. I am so proud of her, for doing something I never thought I would have the guts to do. When she first told me about her surgery I thought, Yap, take the easy way out..get out and walk and of course like all those skinny poeple, quit eating. Boy was I wrong..I now know that we all must do what works. I've learned it is not the quick fix I thought it was.

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

My insurance was approved after two weeks...First try!!!!!

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

I just love my doctor....She was a little stand offish at first. But once I got to know her and she me, we make a great team. Make sure you take all your questions with you. She will answer all of them for you.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I have finialy told myself that if I don't do something that works I will never see my kids get married and have fun with my future grandkids. I am just tired of being overweight. Nothing else has worked for me. This is the last thing I can do for me to make myself healty and Happy.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Doctor advised me which surgery would be best for me. And she was right.

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 look at it this way, if God wants me when they do my surgery then I will go.. if it's my time to. If not I'll just have a happy life when all is done.I just know this is something I have to do for ME!!!! Not anyone else.

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?

At first my husband did not want me to do this..I finialy got him to understand this is for me not for anyone else. I have another sister that's wanting to have the surgery also and she is very supportive.

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

I work at home.

Did you have any complications from the surgery? If so, how did you deal with them?

No complications from the surgery.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

In the weeks after my surgery I did feel alone...No more FOOD!!! It really bothered me to watch other people eat. Most times I would go outside for a short walk..The fresh air does good!!!

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

My aftercare with my doctor is great. I saw her every three months, then every six months, now once a year. I have a very good support group at a local hospital which is very helpfull.

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

My scar is down the middle of my tummy...and is about 10 inchs long,. Its what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have hit some small plateues but get pass them...No real problems here.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, I do notice people at the department stores do treat you differently now that I am a smaller person.
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Before & After
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