LINDA L.

Obesity & Me

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

I basically had given up ever getting my weight back under my control. When I happened across the information about the surgery I was on the verge of losing my job and becoming totally disabled. I couldn't walk more than 50 feet and was out of breath and soaked in sweat at that!! There is no way to describe the boost learning of the surgery gave me.

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

I think the worst thing is the assumptions people make about you.... they assume that you have chosen to ignore weight and are either too lazy or too stupid to loose weight. Even your closest friends and relatives seem to think that the whole thing is your choice.

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

CROSSING MY LEGS!!!

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

I met a woman online who was pre-op.....she gave me the info to look up and decide for myself....the best move i ever made!!! At first it sounded too easy...and then I really did not want to hear negative info!! After the surgery I had major adjusting to do but if only for the freedom from that tearing hunger I had previously had I am eternally grateful for the surgery!!

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

The ICU stay was great...but after that it all was a real pain!! I had trouble getting my meals and getting assistance to walk etc. The most important thing to bring was LARGE loose PJ's.....I brought short and top sets!!

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

I developed an incisional hernia....so far have not gotten the repair since I want to do a tummytuck and insurance won't cover it.

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 got major depressed....because I no longer enjoyed food....it was a chore to eat at one point....but I finally came to terms with the "eat to live not live to eat" philosophy behind the surgery.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE!!!!! I am now treated as if I have a brain!!
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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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