jillclr795

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.

I can't remember a time that I wasn't fat! I remember mom would come home from grocery shopping and I was always the first into the goodies. I remember being afraid that if I didn't get it now I would never get the cookies,one of 6 children I worried about the food! Lol I don't think anyone eles was!by the time college came I could bareley fit in the desks,would go in early to find table and chair so I could fit comfortable.I always tried the fad diets but I was always hungry so I would never be on them too long!After having my first child at age 25 I was always tired,never wanted to go any where,or do anything. I remember watching things like that had new weight loss surgery like wiring your mouth shut,then stomach stapling to gastric bypass and the band.I always new in my heart I would get one of these surgery's some how.When I first got serious that's when insurance companies put those not covered clauses and of course weight loss surgery was one of them!

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

Being insulin dependant diabetic,hypertension,sleep apnea,not wanting to go any where having no energy.Lossing three pregnancies!clothes shopping,I bought what fit,not what I wanted!this still messes me up! I have no style! No concept of style! Lol

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

Well I am 2 years out,I have boundless energy can keep up with my 14 year old daughter and my 3 year old son. One of the thing I love doing is going to restaurants with the fixed bench seating,my stomach basically laid on the table.Now my 3 year old can fit on my lap while we eat and we both fit!I wish I could say cloth shopping but like I said I have no style! Confusing when did the 80's come back!Oh and three days after surgery I was no longer needing insulin or medication for my diabetes,no longer have sleep apnea!my hypertension was gone for about a year,but its back and controlled on a pretty low dose. My hypertension is more genetics not due to weight.I knew about those genes many years ago,can't win them all. Oh and I do have to take,e prescription strength vitamin D I'm not absorbing that!

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

Years ago I always watched for new procedures. My first impression is where do I get mine!

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

I am very lucky I am a state of Florida employee ,our pay is nothing brag about but my insurance is awesome! I got approved less than 24 hours after it was submitted!

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

Dr.jawad of Ocala,is my surgeon I had the rny 2010 I asked a lot of questions and he was good answering questions,so was his staff.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Thinking of my at the time one year old growing up,you know to age 3 and running down a street or just getting away from me and not being able to get to him. I didn't want to be the mommy I was for my daughter always tired ,not having energy to do things. Its kind of sad to admit my 2 children basically have had 2 different experiences growing up with the same mom, the tired mom and the mom who goes and plays with them!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I went with rny the one with the best out come.I didn't want the band I figured I would figure out how to cheat it! I was a diabetic not afraid of needles I could see myself trying to adjust it! My self!

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 was actully afraid of dying with out the surgery!for the most part death by this surgery is pretty low,I know larger people may have problems I was about 344 around 150 over weight and I did fine.

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 told everyone! I didn't want people to think I was sick when I went back to work I was proud of myself to take my health and life into my hands and make me accountable for all my decisions!

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

I was out of work for 16 days and returned to work in a maximum state prison, I was sore but I was back! My supervisors were supertive!

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

It was good,listening to success stories getting information ,learning how to cope.seeing your not alone!

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

24 hours was my stay.the nurses on that unit was awesome. They made me comfortable,encouraged me to get up and walk,little sipps ,slow little sips.

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

No I didn't!

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 made a friend she had surgery the day before,we would call and talk and share our fears and goals met!

Describe your first few weeks home from the hospital. What should people expect from this period?

I had a g tube that was the worse part. If I didn't have that I would have been pretty good 3 days out! Oh and people are always surprised how little you eat right after surgery!

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

I was lucky less than 10 miles.
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
×