ChorizaNicole

member photo member photo member photo member photo member photo

Obesity & Me

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

I have always struggled with weight for my 25 years of existence. I have gone up and down for many years finding the point of satisfaction when losing weight, then following with extreme depression when gaining after becoming comfortable and losing my original goal. I remember growing up not really being picked on about my size however always having friends who were smaller, faster and what I believed as prettier than I and feeling out of place. I have had numerous attempts at a healthy weight loss through many obstacles from weight loss programs such as weight watchers nutrisytem The atkins diet and more, medications like phenthermine, and pure meditation in trying to understand myself as well as loving myself..

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

I believe the worst thing about being overweight is the toll it can begin to take on your health and mental state. The emotional rollercoaster you experience when going into an establishment or friends house and wondering if you will be able to fit in a chair or it will break, or going into a fitting room and realizing nothing you like fits any more can take a dramatic toll on an individual. Not being able to keep up with the pace of others feeling as though I would pass out from walking up a flight of stairs seriously had be feeling as though I was worthless.

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 ?? stairs without pain or shortness of breathe. The mass amount of energy I have, and just feeling and being healthy.

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

I first heard of bariatric surgery on MTV's show True Life a few years back, I was totally against it upon seeing that episode, being that I felt anyone could loose weight as long as they put their hearts and mind to it.

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

The first meeting with my surgeon was a bit nerver wrecking, being that I had so many questions running through my head yet failed to get everything out that may have been needed; however my surgeon was very insightful on the procedures Kaiser offered and explored the best option for me

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had an extreme medical emergency the end of 2011 which took a great toll on my health. I had not realized that at this point in my life I was 25 years old 4'11 and almost 300 lbs. I needed a complete change one that was healthy and that would change my whole being

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I spoke to a few friends who had different operations and did my own research. I decided on the Gastric Bypass (RNY) as it is the surgery which has been around the longest and has had the highest success rate.

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?

With any heavy operation, one would worry about the risk when of course being placed under anestia and brought back from it. I really was not to afraid of much more after that i felt that this is something I am wanting and in need of to better my life, and if all fails then it was my time. I needed to insure i kept an open mind so not to sike myself out.

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?

Many of my friends were against my choice, stating it would be taking the easy way out which I needed to seriously sit down and explain to them that their is no easy step in any part of changing your life with bariatric surgery. My close family members as well as my fiancee' wanted to insure this step was one that I really wanted to take, and helped me to achieve needed goals by providing me with love and support.

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

I have only told a few individuals i work with about my surgery as i keep my private life sep from my personal life. I will be off work for a month per my surgeon

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

The first information seminar I went to I felt the informants were very rude, i felt as though they wanted to discourgage individuals from having bariatric surgery, yet later realized that the members of the program were just very strict and rightfully so as they did not want people to think that surgery was a quick fix and an easy way out because they were not satisfied with their apperance.

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 for two days and each nurse that i had couldnt be more caring and loving if i asked. I had two nurses who encourged me to get out the bed and walk through the pain as my outcome though it will be a bumpy challenging ride will be well worth it. I was woken up about every four hours in order to walk and have my vitals checked. The time in the hospital was not a time for relaxation it was merely to heal enough so that i would be able to cope on my own at home, given I had a major surgery however I was not ill and one must remember when going to a hospital you become surrounded by germs and surely do not want to be around that to long if not needed.
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
×