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Obesity & Me

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

Although I was a slim kid, I started gaining in high school a little, but really gained after I got married and had a car to get around. My eating habits are not the best and I could be more active so it makes sense to me that I've gained as much as I have. Along the way, I've tried weight watchers, atkins, calorie counting, workouts, personal trainers, south beach, nutrisystem and any number of other approaches.

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

feeling physically uncomfortable moving or even sitting. My feet, knees and back are almost always sore. I can't bend and move as easily as I could when I was smaller and it frustrates me when I want to be active (I study dance and love playing outdoors with friends and my dogs).

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

increased mobility, shopping for "normal" clothes (or even buying right off the rack and having it fit), reduced inflammation, feeling comfortable in my skin.

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

Friends of mine had the surgery done a few years ago. At first I was frightened of the concept, partially because it looked so invasive and partly because I couldn't bear the idea of giving up all that food for good. I now realize that I do need to make a permanent change to the way I eat, and am considering gastric banding, as the bypass still seems too invasive and risky to me.

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

I'm still in the approval process, but here's my thoughts thus far: - do your homework! make sure you get all the paperwork and appointments taken care of right away. - start making changes before surgery (even before approval). The insurance and bariatric programs want to see that you're committed to the changes you're requesting.

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

I haven't met my surgeon yet.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I'm at an all-time high weight and am tired of feeling uncomfortable and sore. I'm also terrified that I will continue to gain if I don't do something serious (I have a sister that's significantly heavier and nearly disabled by her weight and complications associated with it).

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I did a lot of research before deciding on the gastric band. I don't like the idea of malabsorption, dumping, or cutting into the digestive tract. I also have a friend who developed ulcers and had to have her bypass redone. Ouch!

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 haven't had surgery yet, but I feel relatively safe about the banding process.

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?

Most of my family has been very supportive. My sister is less supportive, perhaps because she's afraid of having surgery herself.

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

He's been supportive so far. I'm hoping I won't miss more than a week of work and I'm saving my vacation time for my recovery.
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Before & After
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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.

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