tinky471

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Obesity & Me

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

I was on an uphill battle and losing (or shall I say NOT losing) fast. I consulted bariatric surgery because my weight is now becoming a health problem. Otherwise, I'm considered a BBW by all who matter.

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

The constant pain. The inability to fit into some of the best rides of amusement parks.

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

It's been nearly 10 years out (December 13th 2013 will be exactly 10 years) and my weight is still down. To say the least, there have been quite a few changes. The biggest one is that I am no longer with the man who never deserved me. I think my weight loss was a downhill battle for us anyways as he had some false security in my added weight. Dah well..., his problem, not mine. Nonetheless, I think I will try to surprise and visit Dr. Hamad. She will probably fuss at me for not seeing her in so long but I have been taking my vitamins daily, my calcium (well, almost daily, sort of, *smile*), and keeping my sugar-free drinks at my side for all day hydration. I will take an updated picture one day this week and you will see that I can still fit into those size 12 pants I took nearly a year after my "rebirth." Hugs all!! Terri Quinn-Taylor

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

In 1998, Dr. Inja Chang mentioned that maybe I should consider having the surgery. Initially, it sounded like a good thing but I was concerned about popping my stitches and either having to go back into surgery or dying from it.

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

I was made to do a lot of testing. I let the Surgeons office handle all of that and left it alone.

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

My surgeon was very patient. The visit was very long but very informative. I got to watch movies and everything. I would recommend this surgeon to everyone.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. It was definitely the straw that broke the camel's back.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I felt this was the procedure with the most success with the least complication.

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 was afraid but I had to think about whether or not I wanted to live the rest of my life obese. I wasn't trying to do that, so I figured that sometimes you have to do what you have to do. This is one of the few things I'm doing for myself and this I'm doing for me.

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?

Initially they were all afraid and they didn't want me to have surgery. They didn't try to talk me out of it because I'm very strongheaded and I informed them early in the game that the decision has been made and to try to change my mind is a waste of their breath and my time and it wasn't up for discussion.

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

I'm not sure when I'm going back to work but I'm not sure about their reaction. I tend not to care whether or not my employers have a problem about anything I do in my personal life.
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Before & After
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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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