xtinamarie

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Obesity & Me

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

I have struggled with weight my entire life...it seems like since birth! My mom enrolled me in numerous weight loss classes and camps. It would always work for a couple of weeks and I'd loose 10-30lbs...then I would gain 20-40 back. This yo-yo things has been happening since I was at least 10. As I got older I started getting desperate, trying everything from Phen Phen to Slimfast and Atkins to Weight Watchers. I started to give up when I got the same results that I got my entire life. It was such a horrible cycle: I'm sad well I might as well eat. I'm happy, lets go eat! Food was the center of everything I did! Food was used for reward and a consolation prize. I had gotten horrible eating habits from my mother who had the other end of the weight loss disorder (Anorexic) She would feed me the things she herself couldnt bring herself to eat. It's hard to break that cycle. So I truly believe that this is at least a 2 generation battle with weight. I was terrified that it would work its way into my future children and make it a 3 generation battle. I didn't want to raise a child in an environment where food was the enemy. I had type 2 diabetes from the time I was 10 until my surgery, Sleep Apnea, High Chlorestorol, blood preasure...at 32 years old I felt like I was 50! Pretty embarrassed

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

One of the worst things about being overweight for me was the lack of confidence. I have been singing/acting my entire life and lack of confidence is the kiss of death. Many times I have lost roles due to my size. Was even told the role would have been mine but I was just too big a girl. That is devistating. My weight held me back from numerous auditions because I knew the answer before I even stepped foot in the room. Everything was horrible when I was overweight. Clothes shopping (UGH!!!!), eating out at restaurants (the stares) Flying cross country (I have to fit in that seat...sorry my stomach is touching you sir), Amusement Parks (scared to get in line for the ride because the restraints might not fight...one time they really didn't :( ), Lets not forget walking upstairs (so out of breath!)

If you have had weight loss surgery already, what things do you most enjoy doing now that you weren't able to do before?

EVERYTHING!!!!! I just got on a plane for the first time since my surgery (Surgery was on 8/23/11) I sat in the middle seat and i had plenty of room on each side of me!!! My sister and I went to Disneyland and every ride was not an issue I felt completly NORMAL!!!! My sister and I hiked up to the Hollywood Sign today and I was breathing hard...but I completed it and had a great time doing it! Exercise isn't a chore at all, I truly enjoy it now! This has truly changed my life! I'm getting the roles in theatre that I have dreamed of playing but had written them off because of my weight! Writting this story is making me a bit emotional because my life has truly truly changed!!!! I'm so incredibly greatful!!!

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

My fiance and I looked into it about 5 years ago after hearing a commercial on the radio. It felt like I was a failure for even considering it. I couldn't bring myself to do it for 5 years!!!

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

This was probably the easiest part of the process for me. I had to go through 3 months of visits with my surgeon a couple of nutritionist visits and a psych visit. Then the submission to insurance company...the whole process took 3 months and 1 week. My insurance company approved the surgery the same day the recieved the request! I am on my husbands insurance which he has government employee insurance.

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

I had done so much research on my own that I just needed to talk through the decision with my surgeon and make sure we were on the same page. The initial meeting was about 2 hours and he took the time to answer EVERY single question and some that I hadn't thought to ask. Make sure you do research before you go in! Know what you want to ask! There is no stupid question! This is your body and it is a huge change, don't let the doctor rush you into making the decision! Take your time!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was tired...tired of everything. Tired of not living my life the way I knew it should be lived!!! I wanted to have kids and I knew that wasn't going to be possible with my size or at the very most I could expect a horribly difficult pregnancy. I NEEDED a major change. How could I not decide to change my life for the positive

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Based on my medical issues, I decided to have the RNY Gastric Bypass. Also based on the success rate of the RNY vs all the other surgeries it made the decision pretty easy for me.

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 wasn't really afraid of dying...I was dying already. Thats a sad way to think about it but it is truly how I felt. I couldn't justify not getting surgery because of the possibility I could die on the table. It was worth it to me if I could start living my life the way it should be!

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 entire family was very supportive. Of course they were cautious and they asked as many questions as I did with the doctor. But it came from a place of love! My husbands parents both had the surgery so he understood what would happen and how he needed to be there for me. Luckily my husband was interested in getting the surgery too so its kind of a family affair! He has since had the surgery.

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

I was very lucky in the fact that I am a housewife so I didn't have to clear it with anyone at work. I was involved in a show though. The day that I had my surgery was exactly 1 month from the day that we opened. They were very nervous about me not being able to come back in time. The wonderful thing is that I was very honest and had such an easy recovery I was back to work 1 week later...on modified duty but was still there :)

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

I had a very unique experience. If you live in Seattle WA area go to the Overlake Hospital in Bellevue!!! It was like a spa stay! LOL I had a very hard time coming out of the anisthesia pretty much out of it the entire day and night. I had never had surgery before so I had no idea what to expect. I was in the hospital 2 days. The first day I was out of it, but they did have me up and walking that night. Second day was pretty easy still had a lot of naseau (first day was pretty bad) but made myself get up and walk and just out of the bed! I recommend bringing something from home that is a comfort. Picture, favorite blanket, stuffed animal, husband! Robes and socks with traction on the bottom are awesome!!!

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

Not a single one...in fact I feel as if my body was made for this!

How far did you travel to have your surgery? (If far, how did this affect your aftercare?)

I picked a doctor on the other side of the state a 4 hour drive.I do not regret this decision. I feel like my doctor was the best for me! I had family that was about 2 hours from him so I stayed with them for the first week until my appointment and then my husband drove home after that. I knew this was going to be a factor but it really wasn't an issue for me.
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