Weight Loss Survey Responses

The following are The Irish L.'s responses to the Weight Loss Survey:

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

Before I learned about bariatric surgery. I was living a life that was a matter of just exsiting. I was under the impression that nothing could help me. I didn't have a problem with losing weight. I am the person at the gym that never talks just works out. I was serious about my weightloss. I would loss a lot of weight. I was going along really good and I would start to gain the weight back again. I would work harder and it would be to no avail. I would gain back all of my weight and then some. My family would tell me if I would just leave candy, sweets, and cakes alone I would be just fine. I just needed to diet and exercise. I had come to the point where I was going to be destin to live a life of misery and illness. I was never going to be able to lose enough weight and keep it off in order to maintain my life in a healthy situation. It has taken it's toll on my emtional state. I have spent many nights crying myself to sleep because of the way the world would treat me. The stares, and comments were at times more than I could bear.

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

I think that there are two things that I consider to the the worst thing about being overweight. The first being that in the work force I was pasted over at times when my weight was out of control. If I went on a diet and lost some weight...I would get more assignments to work on...until I would start to gain it back. The second would be that I feel that even thought I am over weight I should be able to dress how ever I want. This is not the case. I can not find clothes that I like as far as a certain style. I can only find clothes that fit. I see the clothes in the lil girls dept. and there clothes are WAY TO GROWN UP FOR THEM. However, clothes that fit me are covered in flowers and prints...kinda backwards if you ask me.

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

I was looking online for yet another diet to try. I was filing out a survey to start an "e-diet" because I didn't want the disappointment of starting another diet with someone and wathcing them take off there five or ten pounds and be done. I found this site and started my research. I though that these people must be crazy. This is very dangerous and risky and I was not sure that I would be one of the people to do it. However, as I found out more about the procedure and I search for my Dr. I realized that this was going to be my chance at a normal life. It would be well worth all the risk.

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

I had a hard time of with the insurance company. I had an exclusion on my policy and it was..."no surgery to reduce obesity". I was an uphill battle. Not only with the insurance company I called and spoke with my husband's employer about lifting the exclusion. I was told that it was not fair to the people who have chose to control there weight. I continued with the insurance company. I was denied twice and it wasn't until I went before the panel review board that I got approved.

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

It was really a lot more informative than I thought it would be. I was loaded with questions. I was kinda put off that I had to wait until after the presentaiton to ask them. While as it turned out...I was only left with two out of the 37 questions that I had when he was done. Also, he works with his son, I get not one but two surgeons for the price of one.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was at the doctor and I was told that I was borderline diabetic. I needed to lose about 100lbs. and keep it off because I was also likly to be insulin intolerable. I would die if I didn't take it off and keep it off. That pretty much did it for me.

How did you decide which procedure to have?

I talked with my Dr., and went over all the procedures with him. After much discussion he shared with me what he thought to be the best prceedure for me and why.

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 had some fears about leaks, and possibly dying. However, I know that fear is not of the Lord. I have prayed and I believe that the Lord would not have brought me this far to let me dye. I know that he has prepared a path for me long before I even knew that there was a path. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

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 have not recieved the best reaction from my family. I have a few people who have been nothing but supportive. However, not everyone understands what my life has been like for me. I feel that after the fact they will come around more. I think some of them thought that I would not do this without thier support or blessing.

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

I am a homemaker...so my boss can just fire me if he doesn't understand!!!!! only kidding