Heather19

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Obesity & Me

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

I have been on every diet that you can think of probably multiple times. The only thing I didn't do was diet pills. Food had control of me not me of it. I was unhappy, tired, hurting and many other feelings. Once I finally learned about the surgery I started doing my research to get me out of this hole I have been in for so long.

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

What isn't the worst thing: I hate how people look at you, I was uncomfortable, I hurt, I hate shopping for big sizes and being limited to where I can shop. I hate how food controlled me. I hated the heartburn, medication and hated having trouble keeping up with people walking. There is no way I would go on a plane or go to any amusement park, except for Disneyland, for fear that I would not get to ride the roller coaster due to my weight.

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

The comfort of summer...not being super hot. Riding amusement park rides without the worry that I won't fit. Buying clothes at regular stores and right off the rack! Not paying extra for clothes because it is a double or triple X. Not having food control my every step. Being in control of my food intake. Honestly, I enjoy my life so much more now then I ever did. I enjoy knowing I can now have a child without the weight risk. Being able to buy something from Disneyland and it actually fits!!

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

I had some close friends that had it done and directed me to this website as well as talked openly about their experience. I started reading anything I could on it. I read both of Carnie Wilson's books and read lots of information on this website and attended a symposium. I wasn't afraid of the surgery, I wanted it but wanted to know all I could about it before making a final decision. My inital impression was that it sounded too good to be true so I better know all I can to make sense of how it works and if it is right for me.

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

My husband has a PPO for insurance, Blue Cross, so I didn't have any problems getting my surgery done. I didn't need to get any approvals or anything. My advice to anyone at this stage is to make sure you know your rights and don't take no for an answer. Fight for what you need.

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

It was very informative. The best part was that I had done so much research that when I saw the doctor, I understood everything he said to me and I was able to ask really good questions. I think you can get the most out of the doctor visit by going in with lots of your own researched information, then you can ask informed questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Bottom line was that I didn't want to be like this anymore and one day I want to have children and I knew I couldn't do that without getting healthy. Not to mention, I wanted to live life again, I am only 27 and I am to young not to have a life and a fun one at that.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

When I went to the symposium, they talked about all the different options and how successful each one was. I felt that the Route n Y would work best for me.

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 would say it is normal to have fears and concerns. I tried not to think about the possibilities of complications or dying. I just kept telling myself that I would be fine and come through it fine. I believe that if I kept telling myself that everything would be fine then it would. And everything did turn out great!

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?

I had mixed reactions. Most people were supportive but I had a few that I think didn't really agree with my decision to have this done. I think that was because they didn't understand the surgery and how it worked. Although, once they knew it was a for sure thing and I was doing it no matter what, they supported me and have been awesome. I don't think I could have communicated anymore to them about the surgery. I told them all I knew and showed them paperwork I received but I think something like that needs to be researched individually to really understand it. It is a very personalized surgery, everyone reacts differently to it and success is different for each person. I told them all I could and then referred them to websites and books if they wanted to learn more.

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

I am a substitute teacher right now and I scheduled my surgery for after school let out so it didn't interfere with anything. School was out on the 23rd of June and I had surgery the 28th.

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

I went through the training and started my own support group. It is a very casual group and it really helps all of us to get together and talk about everything going on. We share triumphs and struggles and just support each other the best way we can. I try to offer lots of hand outs and receipes to help us all along our journey!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I try not to think of it as a plateau but where my body feels most comfortable. I have maintained a weight of between 151-158 for about a year now so it seems this is where my body is most comfortable. Hopefully the numbers will go down when I have plastic surgery.......but if not, oh well, they are only numbers and I feel great!!!!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Absolutely!!!!!!! It really isn't my family that treats me different but strangers. I always tell people this story..... In December, I was buying a lot of bagels for a classroom party I was having...it was right before Christmas Break and I was really struggling to get my car door open because of the boxes. A man came over to me and helped my get my door open so I could put the boxes in the car. It was in the morning....a great time to use the excuse that you are in a hurry to get to work and can't help. I really believe that had It been a year earlier, that I would not have received the eager help that I did.
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