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Obesity & Me

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

I was a sweets addict and struggled with eating for comfort and from boredom. I was quite immobile and got out of breath in one flight of stairs. I had terrible lower back problems. I would not fit in armchairs, which was sometimes embarrassing at restaurants. I felt ashamed of myself. I had no energy and felt depressed.

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

having no energy, feeling depressed and ashamed every time I went to go out, put clothes on or looked in the mirror. health problems like being pre-diabetic, pain in my knees

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 can walk up stairs no problem, fit in all chairs, fly in a plane without asking for a seatbelt extension, people look at you differently whether you are slim or fat. I am no longer pre-diabetic, my back got better (though not as much as I had hoped), my knees do not hurt anymore.

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

I read about it in a magazine. I was interested. I found out about obesityhelp.com and thats where I got most of my information.

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

I talked to my Dr, he wrote a letter, I learned that the wait time would be more than 5 years. I decided that I would not wait that long and researched my self-pay-options. I found India and I am still happy with my decision.

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

Well, I met him first alreaedy in India and there was not really a way back out. He would have had to be very bad to get me back out of the hospital. But he was very friendlyu and understanding. It is very important to know as much as you can about the different surgeries and options before you talk to him so you can focus on the impression you get from him.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The experience of peers and the information on obesityhelp.com

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

It was by the results, my love and addiction of sweets and the risks. Obesityhelp.com had most of the very valuable information.

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 was not very afraid since my heart and lungs were good and the surgeon and hospital had a good reputation. You can die crossing the street in front of your house. And you will die for sure sooner from the complications of obesity. And I would have rather died than staying obese for longer once I knew that there was an alternative with real chances of losing the weight!

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?

They were first skeptical, but afterwards very supportive. It is important to explain the procedure. I am and have been to everybody very open about the fact that I had weight loss surgery. I find people are very supportive and can't believe I lost that much weight (I always carry a before picture with me to show to everybody who wants to see it)
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Before & After
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before photo after photo

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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