Miss_Crystal

Obesity & Me

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

I have been big since I can remember, I believe it started in second grade. I have tried so many different things to lose the weight, nothing works. The most ive ever lost doing any kind of diet is 15 pounds and now I need to lose 150! Being fat is tough, kids are so hard on you when your younger. I can remember in 8th grade I was harassed so bad by these 3 boys, they had this "nick name" for me and I thought they were being nice to me, come to find out it means cow. That hurt, I was already depressed because I was over weight but to be harassed like that everyday for a whole school year really screwed with my head. To this day I think about it and tears come to my eyes, but whatever doesnt kill you makes you stronger thats what I try to keep in my head.

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

What isn't aweful about being overweight - The thing that I find pretty bad is not being able to fit on rides at amusment parks. Luckily, I have never been asked to get off one because I didnt fit but I have been so close to it! I think the last time I went on a roller coaster I was like 13 so I know that I DEF wouldn't fit now.

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

Walking! is the most important thing, it used to hurt now I do it all the time!

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

My best friend's mother and sister both had it done. Honestly, I never saw myself as big as I am. I am seeing it more now because my knees hurt and so does my back when I walk or stand too long. I have been concidering it for about 6 months, me and my mom talked about it all the time. When I got on the scale and saw that I was almost 300 pounds at age 21 I decided it was time.

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

I got approved pretty quickly, the whole process took a week or two.

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 am totally scared about the surgery, I wont lie! But I look at it like this - I can go thru with this and take my chances (but the hospital im going thru has never lost anyone) or I can stay this big and risk having a heart attack and dieing at such a young age. I am scared I am going to die. I am scared of staying in the hosptial. I am scared of everything, but I know that I will be ok. :)

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

I was in the hospital from Tuesday - Friday. The nurses were amazing, made me as comfortable as I could be in the state I was in. I only brought the necessities - toothbrush, tooth paste, brush, shampoo.

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

Not at all, as of right now (2-9-06) I havent even thrown up. Although, I do need my gallbladder out Wen Feb 15th.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

When I got my surgery date I cried! I cried because I was happy, nervous, sad, scared, excited...all at once. A feeling I have never felt before, and will never feel again.

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

Honestly, the first 11-14 days SUCK! Your in a lot of pain, dont wanna walk like your supposed to, dont want to do anything, but you HAVE to, you have to make yourself! As soon as like the 13th day came around I felt 110% better.

What aftercare support group/program do you have? How helpful/important is this?

I see my doctor regularly, always call if I feel theres a problem. I also go to the meetings my hospital has once a month as often as I can.

What is your scar like? Is this what you expected?

No, I expected it to be smaller. But, again this surgery is so worth it, the scar isnt a big deal to me.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None yet, hopefully not for another 6 months or so.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, I get hit on alot more now, people dont stare at me like they used to.
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
×