soldiersxbabygirl

BMI 21.2
RNY on 08/03/04

Obesity & Me

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

I have always strugged with my weight since I hit puberty earlier than other children (at around the age of 9). I knew I was taller and bigger than them and I knew that I had to wear a bra before the other girls did. Kids are most exceptionally cruel. I did slim down some in Junior High and High School thanks to staying active, but my weight started to really rise up in my late teens (19) when I hit a huge bout of depression in college. Between the depression, a decline in my physical health, and having to take medications that increase weight and decrease metabolism, my weight absolutely BALLOONED! Before I knew it, I was 25 years old, horribly depressed, and over 300 lbs!

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

The toll it takes on your health is by far the worst thing. The self-esteem issues is the other. It's the way that society treats you when you are overweight, it just makes you want to become a hermit. Shopping is also a pretty horrible experience when you're a size 26W and you pretty much want do that from the comfort of your desk chair and a computer instead of in front of the eyes of a pitying salesperson. You know, I am now not sure which one of those is the worst. They are all pretty god awful... Oh, and being the "fat friend" when you go out with your friends. That one ranks up there as well....

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

Shopping, hands down! I can go anywhere I want to and shop! Heck, I get dirty looks when I go into Lane Bryant and help friends pick out clothes now, which is totally different for me. I'm a size 2/4 and a S/XS in shirts. I've never been this small in my whole life, not even in puberty. It's really pretty awesome, especially being 9 years post-op. And I really enjoy going swimming now because I don't get looks of disgust when I have a swimsuit on =D I also really enjoy running & working out now. Staying in shape is something that takes a priority with me now, where it didn't in the past when it winded me just to climb up a short flight of stairs. Taking my dog out on a leash and running for 3 miles is such a great feeling! Also, now when I travel, I can walk around and sight-see for HOURS without being tired, red-faced, and wanting to go back to the room. I have always loved to cook, ever since I was a kid, but now I am even more passionate about cooking and love to cook healthy for my family. I am always trying new recipes and they are almost always a hit, even with my young kids :)

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

I was looking for weight loss remedies/options on the internet at around the age of 23 (2001) when I stumbled across gastric bypass surgery. Initially, I was scared to death of it because mostly the risks of death and complications stuck out in my mind, but at the same time, my curiosity was definitely peaked and I continued to research it on and off for the next few years.

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

I really had no problems with getting Tricare South to do the approval for my RNY surgery in 2004. I had several comorbities (sleep apnea, hypertension, type II diabetes, GERD, arthritis, asthma, etc) and a BMI of well over 40 (yet it was under 50). I did not have to do a pre-op diet before surgery per requirement by surgeon nor did I have psych. eval. or a sleep study. I had already attended 2 seperate nutrition courses so I did not have to repeat those again. I attended several support group meetings of my own accord to obtain several opinions and personal stories before my RNY. I suggest to people to do that before undergoing any WLS. It's a wonderful thing to hear from other people who have been through it before you. I also advice people not to give up if your insurance needs more requirements or information from you or if it takes longer than you perhaps want it to... It is worth it the weight in gold to feel better!

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

My first visit with Dr. Warnock was so informative. I don't feel like he would have wasted 5 seconds of my time if he didn't feel that I was a true candidate for the RNY. He knows so much about the surgery and I felt well researched on it, as well, but he made me feel even more secure in my decision. I suggest to people to bring your list of questions. Do not be afraid to ask the doctor anything you might be thinking. There are no stupid questions!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I wanted to have children, I wanted to climb a flight of stairs and not puff an inhaler after doing so, I wanted not have to sit up at night to sleep because I had acid reflux so bad, I wanted to wear "normal" size clothes. I didn't want people to snicker at me everywhere I went because I was fat. I just wanted to live a normal life of a 26 year old who did not take a pile of medications everyday and worry that I wasn't going to outlive my parents.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I knew from the start (in 2001) that RNY (gastric bypass) was the only one for me. It was the only one I ever researched, it was the only one I really wanted. It was the one my surgeon specialized in and it was the best fit 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 knew of the complications and the chance that I might die from the surgery. I had complications from the surgery (vitamin deficiencies, peripheral neuropathy). I had the normal stuff that goes with losing a lot of weight like excess skin and hair loss. I would tell people the same thing I told the people who tried to talk me out of it because of the "risks"... I would die from the obesity, I would rather die from trying to lose the weight than from not trying at all.

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?

Well, ok. See some of them reacted well and were very supportive. Others didn't react well at all and were very negative. Others, they were on the fence and are now very much supportive and with me on things. I don't think I could have communicated things any differently than I did. I was set in my decision... I was also forthcoming and informative to others and gave them pamphlets and lots of information. I admit I lost a few friends, but to me, they weren't friends at all.

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

Dr Warnock's office has monthly support group meetings every month in Wichita Falls (TX). I enjoy attending them, I just wish there was a closer support group to me. I find them to always be helpful and informative.

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

My scar is what you would expect of an open RNY. I didn't expect not to have a fairly large scar and it has faded over time.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

There are going to be *several* plateaus over the span of 4 years. They happen to anyone no matter how you are losing weight. You just have to be patient and not give up through them... and stay off the scale.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes I notice that I get more attention (from males and from females as well) since I have lost weight. I also seem to garner more respect from the general population. While I do appreciate it, in a way it irks me because I should have been given respect all along instead of treated differently because of my weight.

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Before & After
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