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Obesity & Me

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

I had been overweight and obese for most of my childhood and all of my adult life. I had begun to consider weight loss surgery in my 20s but had neither the insurance coverage nor emotional resources to pursue the surgery at that time. I had been on diets since age 12, had struggled with binge eating, unhealthy eating concepts, and even a brief brush with bulimia until I failed my last diet (Weight Watchers) at age 30. I got married in a size 22 wedding dress, was profoundly unhappy with my body image, and had been a success in so many other areas of my life - except the one that was most visible and representative to others!

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

Discrimination and discomfort. Not every obese person is subjected to the humiliation or overt prejudice, but when you compare how others respect/treat you postop to how they may or may not have held a door, looked you in the eye, or helped you at a department store..... it's disheartening how obesity is the last "socially acceptable" discrimination.

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

Running. I NEVER thought I'd like exercise, let alone be good at something physical, but I've ran my first Half-Marathon in a respectible time and have gotten SO MUCH encouragement from coaches and SO MUCH pride in what I can challenge my body to do!!! I also love shopping - always had, even at my biggest - but now that I'm not constrained to certain stores or certain departments, the only limit is my income!

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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