Lesile Barrett

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Obesity & Me

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

Mine is a little different than many. I have the opposite outlook on food, and the bad behaviors from my point of view contributed to my weight problem. I grew up active, in Oklahoma where everything is fried. I only ate vegetables growing up, then as I got more active, and more hungry, I turned to breads and cheeses. I used to think I just didn't like meat and things that my mother made. As I grew older, I realized I don't like bad foods, or most of them at least. I like fruit, veggies and grilled meats. I don't like soda, juices, sweets, junk food such as chips, fast food or any of the normal unhealthy foods. I knew I didn't want to be like my family, who are very unhealthy, and I couldn't figure out why I was overweight. I battle by weight, but never really won. Then I really started keeping track of what I do and only then did I realize that I really don't like food that much. I tend to ignore hunger and only face food when I am way too hungry. I then had to admit to myself that a calorie is a calorie and to much of anything is going to make me gain weight. So my battle is different as far as craving food all of the time, but I still get too hungry and have no control.

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

Allowing how I felt about me dictate how I lived my life. Hiding at home, watching the world live, while I just existed.

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 enjoy exercising, I enjoy shopping, I enjoy getting dressed, I for the first time in my life enjoy having control of the food vs. allowing it to control me, most of all, I enjoy living!!!!

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

I knew about it from many years ago when it was just referred to as stomach stapling and I thought "NO WAY, that is crazy".

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

I am a military spouse and I am having my surgery at a military treatment facility. I meet the requirments, and have what all doctors call a very scary family history. I also have a long paper trail of my weight loss efforts that show I have always tried, but never quite won the battle. So between it all, I had no problems getting approval.

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

My first meeting was with two other ladies, we met together and then separate. I liked my doctor and had gotten is so quick that it just didn't seem real. I liked him, but then my husband deployed to soon and at the pre-op appt he told me we would have to wait until he came back due to mine being high risk. Now that surgeon deployed and I have another one and my impression of him was great, I immediately felt comfortable with him.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Thinking it wasn't meant to be and trying again to do it on my own and again not being able to get below a certain weight and then being the ONLY person in my family to not have had a heart attack, diabetes and high blood pressure.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I have had a lap nissen, and so I didn't have a choice. I want permanent, so an RNY is ok with me.
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Before & After
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before photo after photo

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.

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