Winchy

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Obesity & Me

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

Being Obese was a lifestyle I chose for myself. Though I was young and just ate what was given to me, as I grew older I learn what foods weren't good for me, but still ate them. I'm only 22 yrs old but as a teenager and even now it is still difficult to go out into the world without being judge just upon appearance. Dating does not exist in my life, which sucks cause I will like to date. To like someone who likes me back would be a dream come true. Every guy I've ever liked always thought I was a cool person and funny but not their type and I knew why cause I wasn't skinny. My family is very judgmental and or course what they say hurt, it's your family instead of supporting you and be there for you they're hurting you instead. It wasn't always hearing the bad things they would say about you, cause you knew some of it was true, it was the fact that you were hearing it from the people you love. I always told myself no matter what Skinny, Fat, Chubby I will always be the same person and my weight will not change who I am just how I look, NO BODY SEEMS TO UNDERSTAND THAT! I tried many ways and many times to lose weight but it is very difficult. I know how to be committed I just get upset when I give my all and do not see any change on the scale with my clothes or within me. Having WLS wasn't my #1 choice I wanted to fight this and not give up, but I've learned that some times you just need a little help and only cause you have WLS it is not the easy way out.

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

SHOPPING.. even till today I hate. There isn't any clothes for young women that are stylish. And the worst part is when you go into a store that doesn't have your size the people there stare at you with a look on there face saying " what the hell is that FAT girl doing in this store. Another thing is theme parks, I LOVE roller coasters and some times I get embarrass waiting on line because I see that other big people are getting kicked out the ride and so in my head I believe I'm next which stops me from going on more rides. I feel as if the people who make rides or clothes don't remember that there's big people out there too and we have feelings and we're people who love to go on rides or shopping or traveling. Being overweight, Obese, Fat, chubby, whatever does not define the people we are. Someone needs to knock some damn sense into their heads..

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 haven't had WLS, but I am at the beginning stages of it. And I really can't wait. Finally no more judgment on how I look, but of who I am as a person. I always said if I were to lose weight I am going SKY DIVING.. and I am going to keep my word on that...

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

Growing up I always heard about it, never put any attention to it. But once I turned 18 I began to look up information on it. At first I wanted it, then I thought getting WLS was for those who were just lazy and wanted the easy way out. Now I understand it more, I know for a fact it is not the easy way out and it has change some many peoples lives so I respect those who got it done or are in the process.

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

It was a long long long WAIT. My surgeon was the only surgeon at the seminar, because the other 4 were busy and he answered all the question that I had in my head and some written down. So when I had my first appointment with him I didn't have a lot of question for him. But I knew from meeting him he was a great surgeon, all I kept hearing in the waiting room was how great he was. So the most I got out of meeting my surgeon 1 on 1 for the first time was I knew if I were to get approved for WLS my life is in good heads.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My cousin had Gastric Bypass Dec 7, 2010 and I've never seen her so happy. She feels as if she can do anything now and I WANT THAT. I'm tires of trying on my own and not getting the results I would like to. I'm only 22 I don't want to spend my whole adult life fighting with my weight.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I went into the seminar with Lap-Band as my procedure. Once I got there my questions were answered and I've know many people who already had gotten the lap-band go back and get gastric bypass or the sleeve because they didn't lose much weight. So I decided that I didn't want that to happen to me and went with Gastric Bypass

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

It was SHOCKING!!!!. I only saw about 3 people who were younger then 30 and everyone else was older and many were in wheel chairs or with any movement out of breath and I just remember praying to god hoping that if I do go through with the surgery my insurance pays and approves it, because I can't wait until I'm in my 30's 40's 50's 60's to change my life. I need to do it NOW if I even want a life.
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