JB1114
I have been overweight since childhood. Although I was very active, I didn't stay slim like the other kids. At age 19 I got my first real job and a new friend/co-worker suggested in a nice way that I attempt to lose weight. With her guidance I took off a lot of weight but never knew how much because I didn't weigh. I went from a size 18 to a 14 and was quite happy with myself.
In 1965 I married and over the next 8 years I put on all the weight I had lost at age 19 plus more. After giving birth in 1970 my doctor suggested Weight Watchers, but I wasn't about to go to a meeting where there were fat people. I didn't go to a meeting until 1973 when I saw a former classmate and didn't recognize her. She had made it to goal. I weighed in at 208 lbs. During the next 2 years I lost about 50 lbs. and was feeling good about myself. In fact, I became over confident and quit going to meetings. At that time I wore a size 12/14. As you can guess the weight came back and I rejoined WWs many, many times.
For the last 35 years I have been a member of WWs most of the time. I also tried Slim 4 Life, LA Weight Loss, Physicians Weight Loss and Pure Weight Loss. I would lose a little weight but never like they promised me I would when I signed up. I would get dicouraged and quit always returning to WWs.
In 1986 I divorced my first husband. He passed away in 1995 due to a massive heart attack brought on by diabetes, sleep apnea and various other problems related to excessive weight. For years his doctor tried to get him to control his weight and he just wouldn't do it.
I remarried in 1992 to Max. He is very supportive of whatever plan I'm on. At first he was totally against the WLS thinking it was too dangerous. After a lot of research I decided I was ready to make this change in my life. I invited Max to attend the seminar with me and he was sold after that. He understood so much better what is involved and how much better life can be after WLS. He doesn't have a weight problem. He goes to my appointments with me. He is so supportive and encouraging. I had never told him how much I weighed, but it came out when the dietician remarked on what I weighed the last time I was in and what I weighed that day. I wanted to disappear. He really wasn't shocked, but it is so embarassing that I weigh more than he does.
I have 2 grown sons and stepdaughter and all think WLS is a good idea. It's difficult to picture myself as a slim person since I've never really been at the right weight for my height.