Connie Z.

Obesity & Me

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

Being overweight has been an emotional battle since I was a kid and not really overweight, but not a skinny girl. I can't even begin to describe the pain that I have suffered due to people's perceptions, nastiness, and prejudice toward people who are overweight. This includes my family, ex-husband, co-workers, friends, and strangers. I am looking for a way to be "normal" and believe surgery will provide that option for me. I don't want to be a fat old woman in a wheel chair that can't take care of herself. This is my last chance.

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

People looking at you like you are a side-show from the circus. Critical looks when you are eating anything. Negative looks, non-verbal signals, etc. from just about everyone. Not being looked at as an attractive woman..............

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 can walk - climb stairs etc. Just being active without being out of breath and hurting is great.

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

A wonderful woman in the eye-doctor's woman told me about her experience with a clinic in Columbus - where I am currently pursuing the surgery. Then I have searched the net for information, research, etc.

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

Very neat and fading fast. It is very small and thin - I wasn't sure what to expect, but it isn't a bad scar - unless you want to wear a 2 piece bathing suit - and I don't so I don't care.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had several plateau experiences. I would loose a lot and then stall for a while and then loose again. I think my body needed time to adjust and regroup before moving forward again. The plateau times are very difficult to get through - makes you worry that you will fail, gain weight back, etc. But after a few, it becomes just another part of the process. If you hang in there the weight starts moving again.
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