Christine928

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Obesity & Me

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

My battle with weight started at a very young age. I reached well over 250 lbs and maintained that weight throughout high school and college. I noticed how people treated me differently. It also didn't help that I was a very shy person. It resulted in me becoming extremely anti-social and eating more. I would eat even if I wasn't hungry. It was just something that I enjoyed doing and I had a very hard time controlling that habit. When I was about 21 I did set my mind on losing weight. And I lost over 100lbs with just diet and excerise. I really had to put my mind to it but I did it. Then my back pain started up again and the exercise slowly stopped, I started increasing my pain meds and then I started eating unhealthy. I found myself back at 250 and again not knowing what I can do. I didn't have any energy to workout. All I wanted to do was sleep and eat. Thats when I started research on bariatric surgery and found a really great surgeon.

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

Not being able to enjoy myself when I was with friends or family for fear of other people judging how I looked.

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 so enjoy working out more then ever. I feel comfortable going out dancing or just walking the mall window shopping with out having to stop because I'm out of breathe.

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

I overheard a co-worker telling me that her friend had the surgery and that is when I started to do my research on what it was and how to go about having the procedure.

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

The approval process went smooth for me. The wait was only due because it was in late december and alot of people take vacation around the holidays. My suggestions for anyone trying to get approval during a holiday is to try to get it done a month before if possible or wait until after the holiday.

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

When I saw the doctor that was doing the presentation I didn't think that he would be my surgeon. He looks very young but overall a really great guy. And I would recommend anyone that wants this procedure to see him. The presentations that are given are extremely helpful in determing which procedure would be right for you.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I just felt that I couldn't do it alone anymore. I needed help.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I discussed what procedure I was going to have with the surgeon. And we came to the conclusion that the vertical sleeve would be the best option for me since I occationally take pain medication for my back.

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 didn't have any fears about dying from the surgery. But one of my sorority sisters had the gastric bypass and her surgery didn't go very well. She ended up gaining all her weight back and that was my biggest fear. I needed to know that if I was getting this done I wasn't not going back to have anything corrected.

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?

My family supported me from beginning to end. My mom still warns me about certain things I eat and drink. And she follows up on my exercise routine.

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

My supervisor had the procedure done 5 months before me. She was extremely happy with my decision. My last day of work was on a Friday, surgery Monday morning and I was back to work the next Thursday.

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

Yes. It was very informational.

What was your stay in the hospital like? How long where you there? What things are most important to bring?

If I remember correctly I checked in Monday morning and was discharged Tuesday afternoon. The staff there were great. I really didn't need to bring anything. After the procedure all I did was sleep.

Did you have any complications from the surgery? If so, how did you deal with them?

No

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

I noticed an increase in my energy level.
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Before & After
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before photo after photo

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