Kristin2d4

member photo member photo member photo member photo member photo member photo member photo member photo member photo member photo

Obesity & Me

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

My whole life I was heavy. I have always tried to make the best of it, and lived pretty happy for the most part. Well, I tried to deal with it the best I could. I was a popular teenager, and still have quite a number of friends now as well. Boyfrinds weren't a problem. I still get a lot of attention now at my weight, but I don't feel as good about myself as people think I do. I use the good parts of my body to distract people of the bad parts. Ex: eyes and make up distract chuncky face, long hair covers arms, high wasted jeans tuck in tummy, cleavage to distract from tummy.. etc. Dieting & I don't work well together. I never felt like the results were good enough. Lately I've been letting my weight get the best of me. It is begining to affect my daily activities, the way I dress, my confidence. I don't wear tank tops or shorts and pretty much never have. Don't go to the beach or swimming in public. I try not to be so down on myself because I know I am beautiful and am told so a lot, but lately I can't help it. I am 300lbs, 5'7, a mother of 3, 2 are my biological children. I am engaged. I don't plan on getting married soon because I refuse to look like this in my wedding, dress & photos.

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

Not feeling in place with other "fit" people around you. The embarassment. Being unhealthy. Going to the gym and having to get off the equipment because I can't breathe after 5 minutes. Clothes shopping. The feeling of regret or dread when looking in the mirror.

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 will be going for weight loss surgery in approximately a month. I am sooo very excited!

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

I have heard about it, but this web site is pretty much what made me interested enough to attend a seminar.

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

So far, everything seems to be going pretty smooth.

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

It was pretty quick. He was pretty stern and informative on the steps I needed to take to move forward.. Ex: Quit smoking, drinking, etc.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Looking at the before and after pictures ni this web site. Coming to the point where I've had enough with being heavy. The desire to be healthier.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I first was interested in the lap band. After attending the seminar and speaking with the surgeon, I then decided the gastric bypass was the decision 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 still do have these fears.They don't go away. You just have to look at the statistics and really try to keep an optimistic outlook on the decision. There are also a lot of complications from being obese that are life threatening.

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?

Some were very supportive, some scared but supportive and some are jealous and negative. In the end, this decision is made by me to change my life. I appreciate everyones opinions, however I need to do this for myself and for my children so they can have a healthier mom.

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

They think I am beautiful the way I am, but respect and support my desicion.

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

I was very glad I attended. The seminar is what made me change my decision from the band to the bypass. It was also nice to see the amount of people who are also choosing bariatric surgery to help them become healthier and happier.
show more answers

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.

Share Now
×