Cyndylw

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Obesity & Me

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

I was Obese my whole life. As a child I was made fun of on a daily basis, by classmates and even my brother. At a very young age I began to think that I wasn't pretty and that I was never going to be happy, I copped in the same way most children do by eating more lying and acting like there sticks, stones and words didn't hurt me. As an adult I continued to be Obese and think that I wasn't going to be happy. Boy was I wrong I met a man who absolutely loved me for my mind and body and couldn't get enough of me (I'm not saying I need a man to make me happy but Tim was definitely the spark that made me feel like maybe I deserved a happy life). After meeting Tim I gained weight almost 100lbs, when I was told that I should have Gastric Bypass, it kinda shocked me "am I really that bad that i need surgery to fix what I've done to myself?" and one day I snapped, I was no longer able to leave the house, talk to people or even work. Eating dinner with my family became a problem. I began to believe that everyone was staring at me and ridiculing me. Gastric Bypass Saved my life, I would do it again if faced with that decision again

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

Having people stare and point, say mean and degrading things to you thinking you can't hear them (I always used to think "I'm fat not deaf you idiots") Even worse having family saying something rude and degrading because they "care" (Like I didn't know I was fat, they needed to point it out) Going to the movies and not fitting in the seats Wondering if the things your sitting on can hold your weight Being mean to myself, being my own worse bully and putting myself down Walking into department stores and having the sales associate look at you with the "we don't have anything that fits you" loo, or even worse saying it.

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 know now that I will be able to have happy healthy kids who hoppefully follow in my footsteps KNowing that I'll be able to play with my children when I have em Knowing that I am no longer borderline diabetic!!! The daily changes in my body (I know what my bones feel like), I can see my collar bones!!! Wearing clothes that you bought thinking one day...There is nothing better then slipping those clothes on thinking maybe and there to big!! Knowing that soon I won't have to shop at the plus size stores!!! All the energy I have now!!! There are so many more!!! It gets better everyday!!!

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

I was referred by my endocrinologist, when she told me I should have surgery, I was crushed, the news that I needed surgery confirmed what I feared most that I would never be able to get to a healthy weight on my own. After a few days I felt better, relieved that I had found help in my journey.

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

I was referred right after Ottawa decided to incorporate a weight management clinic. Unfortunately my referring doctor did not know that there was this clinic opening up. She had sent my referral to the U.S. and it was redirected to the Weight management clinic, once I met with the clinic I was approved, I really had no problems with approval.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I'm still young, I;m about to get married and I SERIOUSLY want kids, I decided to have surgery to have a long healthy life, where I can run and play with my kids and see them grow up and be healthy also. I wanted to break the obese cycle my family had created (my grandma, and mom are obese, I didn't want my kids following in those footsteps)

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

OHIP only covers RNY, but it's the surgery I wanted mainly because of it's high success rate.

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?

It was hit or miss, my parents and my fiance have been super supportive, the rest of my family have taken time, but most have come around to be very supportive. My friends were the hardest, some were right on board to be there for me others, have stopped talking to me.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

I was so glad, it helped answer way more questions then I even knew I had, it was very good the weight management clinic here in Ottawa really made it very informative
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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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