RACHEL M.

  • BMI 26.6

Obesity & Me

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

I was actually do quite well with some medication I was taking.. I lost around forty pounds and did not gain it back. However, my diabeties was out of control, and I thought Bariatric surgery would benefit my health.

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

Being overweight, made me very depressed and I didnt like myself very much... I also did not like eating in front of people, because I felt they were starring at me and I hated it. Also, I played softball in college and weighed almost 300 pounds. I was the starting pitcher and I was the only one on the team that had to run most of the practice because I was overweight. I was also teased because I could not run much without stopping, but people didnt realize that I was obese and they thought I was a selfish lazy person which I was not. So the whole issue of this, made me lose my self-esteem and the desire to play softabll.

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

Well, actually even when I was overweight, I was very athletic and did anything I wanted to do. It really didnt stop me from doing much.

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

I has asked my doctor in 1993 if I could have the surgery and he said no. He thought I was much to young. Then one day, I was setting on the coach with my mother and seen an ad for the Hurley's weight loss program and called. Within a month, I was on my way to having 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?

Well, I was always calling them to see when I was going to have surgery. Sometime in the beginning of June, I got a call and my surgery date was set for the end of August. Then sometime in July, I got another call to see if I could have the surgery within the next two weeks. I chickened out and say "No" I'm scared and I'm not ready..

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

I used to go to the dietician every week and then I was in a support group at delta family clinic for almost two years. As of right now, I see a therapist with whom I trust and she has helped me tremedously. Also, I have seen the bariatric doctors on occasion and they are passionate and they really do care.

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

My scar is pretty good for being cut open twice because of a hernia repair. But hopefully when I have my tummy tuck, everything will be much better.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Well, after about a year, I stopped losing weight and have gained about ten to fifteen pounds, but otherwise I look very healthy.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, I notice that some dont remember who I am unless I say think about me being 100 some pounds heavier. Some of my good friends are overweight and I notice they really dont want anything to do with me. But life must go on...
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