Janice B.

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Obesity & Me

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

I really didn't have a whole lot of weight issues, save being chubby as a child, but weight control as an adult felt next to impossible and very upsetting sometimes. Probably the most upset comes from the fact that it seemed no matter what I did, the weight wouldn't come off or stay off. It caused damage to my joints, overall health, and put limitations on flexibility, ability to sit on the floor, and so on are frustrating. As a single person, being so large created difficulties finding a date and difficulties believing someone would want to be with me. A challenging time!

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

Limitations ... the ones that come naturally from my size and the ones that come because of me or society around me.

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 love love exercising! I worked out while overweight, but now there is a certain amount of thrill in being able to JUMP and whatnot. At five years out and having moved since the surgery, I am around people who think I have always been thin, so it is nice to have them think I have always lived this way etc etc. Some chickens still come home to roost. The arthritis in my shoulder is requiring surgery. I LOVE getting a massage, but occasionally wonder what the massuese thinks about my excess skin (then I think .. "ohhh, this feels good - who cares what she thinks?"). Life was good before. Now its TERRIFIC.

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

I've known about bariatric surgery for quite some time but had not thought about it as an option for me. I have had several friends who have had surgery and it has gone well for them. But I have to admit to thinking "well, they did it the 'easy' way" On the other hand, I have a friend who refused to do it and I wondered why she would refuse something that she needed help with so bad.

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

My insurance company has been very very helpful (I have Federal employee Blue Cross Blue Shield). Of course, I always start with "I don't know anything about this so talk to me like I'm an idiot" so then they are ready for 12 million questions. What makes it more nice is that when I called back to confirm the coverage they told me, the lady went and got the manual and let me write it all down with the "ifs, ands, ors, and buts". My advice with insurance for anything is to ask detailed questions and ask as many as you need .. without feeling guilty but being sure to thank them profusely throughout for taking the time to answer completely.

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

My first time meeting the surgeon was for something else and I wasn't sure I would be comfortable with him because of his demeanor. But I watched him in the clinic and he taught a class and that eased my concerns right away.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I don't think my body can take much more, I want to live for a long time and 180+ pounds to lose is something that I think is beyond my skill. I need help!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Yes, the lap rny

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 haven't had the surgery yet, but the research I read tells me that a lot of the surgery complications possible are just that SURGERY complications not necessarily related to WLS. I would run into those getting my knees and hips replaced, so I figure I am trading the benefits in sight of the risks. I am choosing the better portion.

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?

I think my family is pretty nonplussed and somewhat iffy about the surgery. I'm not sure they realize how hard I have been trying to work with my weight on my own. So their support is iffy. However, my friends and coworkers are so excited that I am taking this step for my health and they are being very supportive.

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

My boss realizes that I need to do this. He and his wife have a friend who had a duodenal switch, so they are happy to talk about it and help me sort out facts from fiction. I work hard at work and they know that this is important for my life, so I have lots of support.
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