MrsZoe

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Obesity & Me

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

I worked very hard at losing weight most my life. I guess it depended on what type of people I surrounded my self with. Some would say things like "girl you are not that big" "you don't need to lose weight" I even got some why try its genetics from my family. I just see a healthy person that want to do active things underneath this fat covered person when I look in the mirror. I was never able to give up on trying. Hopefully this is the tool that gets me there.

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

The worst thing about being overweight was that some how people respect you less. They don't feel like your feelings are important. People assuming you are always eating or hungry. Being ignored I've literally had people walk right past me and ask someone else for something it was my job to help them with even at work. I would always think as big as I am the lady did not see me. I know Obese people are some peoples walking talking worse fear they will avoid interaction at all cost. Most of all is it was being tired when I play with my boys.

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 love to play my xbox kinect and actually have fun not just get tired with my boys. I love that i can jog although I prefer to walk it is awesome to jog if I have to. I love how my self esteem has went up, and I know my husband loves me regardless of my size, but I love the way he looks at me now. He looks at me with not just love but passion and that feels awesome. I love when my kids say mom you are beautiful I don't care if you are fat but I love how they can hug me much easier now.

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

I found out about WLS when I was sixteen and the doctor recommended it to me. My thought was that is drastic and I think I could lose on my own. I became more active lost some weight, but in the end I was still obese with diabetes.

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

I had no problems getting insurance to cover the surgery even when I was sixteen it was medicaid and they wanted to cover it. I think it is just a need or not a need thing. I have heard other stories but I literally had no problem with coverage then when I decided no to do it, or now when it is complete all these years later and it is different insurance. My advice is ask questions. Ask what they need get it to them promptly. If their are requirements follow through its worth it.

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

Getting the most out of the meeting is simple. ASK QUESTIONS no matter how dumb you think they are. Hey this person is going to be on the inside of your body. Ask questions about their abilities as a surgeon research them even if you can. It is set up like he is interviewing you but really you are interviewing each other. My surgeon was knowledgeable and practical and straight to the point that is what I like. He was able to explain things in a clear way that I would understand them. I guess that is why I followed through with surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Health issues with diabetes and watching a recent 100+ pounds I lost return despite all my efforts to lose more and keep it down. It was heart breaking. I discussed it with my husband and he said the one thing that made the most since. "At least you won't be dieting and working out for nothing" I thought that if WLS is a tool I could sure use a better one and we got things rolling.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decided on RNY because it was the oldest procedure done and because it had the least amount of risk for me since I had done laparoscopic surgery for the removal of my gall bladder before. It was familiar and I was told that it was possible that it would cure my diabetes sooner than any other option.

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 did not have any fears because I asked a lot of questions and had a lot of support until the night before my surgery then I went through what if this happens and what if that. You will be afraid the only way to overcome a fear is to face it head on like any other problem. Try to remember fear is just an emotion an your rationale mind controls everything in the end.

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?

You know who will be supportive and who will not rally those supportive people and ignore the non-supportive people. Usually them being against the surgery is not about you. Think real hard if their feelings are of concern for your health and for your safety, or do they stream from other areas of no concern to you... envy perhaps. There will always be the one person that just doesn't want you to change no matter how good it is for you, and that's just selfish. So you be selfish in making your decision.

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

N/A lucky for me due to a recent move I was in between jobs, or unemployed when I decided to do it.

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

Honestly, the one I attended was boring and did not offer any new information that I had not previously researched at that point.
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