Cheryl V.

Obesity & Me

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

The battle of obesity is probably the hardest battle you will ever fight in your entire life. No battle is so draining, emotionally tormenting, frustrating, embarrassing, and all the other bad adjectives I can think of. It ruins your entire quality of life, and eventually "cuts it way short" of a normal life span. After battling obesity for years, you just eventually "give up" and accept your fate. That fate is bad health, a non-existant valuable life, and in the end, the VERY END of your life EARLY.

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

The pain and agony of just existing and doing daily things that you have to do. It is agony to walk any distance, get up and go to work. Forget doing anything enjoyable. You don't have the energy, and look terrible to other people doing them anyway. It is AWFUL!

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 the weirdest things now. Like going up steps, walking from far away parking lots to shop, going to events that require walking which were pure agony before the surgery. Just getting up in the morning to go to work is such fun now. I never thought life could be so enjoyable.

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

I found out about bariatric surgery from co-workers that were going to the Seminar at the hospital and asked me if I would like to go along. I accepted in a minute and made up my mind before I even finished the seminar. It seemed like my ONLY way out of a tormented, tortured life. I also knew that the Lord promised me "a way" out of any situations I was in, and I knew this was "my way". I took it with NO fear, NO apprehensions, and NO questions about anything.

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

My stay in St. Vincent's Charity was 3 days and the staff was absolutely wonderful. Most important to bring is your own pillow, a housecoat, slippers, and your cosmetics to make yourself presentable when you go home. Other than that I really didn't care about much else.

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

I have NO complications of any kind. I am so blessed.

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 coped with the anxiety that it might NOT work. But that soon subsided with the constant loss of weight. It didn't have to be much, as long as the scale was moving DOWN.

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

The ONLY support group I have is Obesityhelp.com. It is a wealth of information. Any time I have any questions, I go into the CHAT room, and someone will answer any questions you have. They have been such a blessing to me.

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

The scar is a little wider than I expected, but WHO CARES? I didn't plan to wear a bikini anyway. Never did before, so why now. I am so thankful to be healthy again that the scar doesn't mean anything to me.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

They occur for me about every other week. I will lose 2-3 lbs., then nothing for 2 weeks. I just deal with it and enjoy every day of my new life. Feeling good FEELS SO GOOD. I know that if I keep up the things that I am supposed to do, pretty soon the scale will drop again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, they do. They are constantly telling me how wonderful I look and how jealous they are. It feels so wonderful to NOT feel like a FAT FREAK anymore. I know that is insensitive to say, but that is how I felt. I lived in denial for so many years. It is like being set FREE.
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Before & After
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