Before & After Gastric Sleeve with Erin!
February 14, 2017My Struggles With Obesity and Losing Weight
Never call a girl fat. You'll never know how far she'll go to see the opposite of that.
I finally started to realize in second grade I was different from everyone else. I realized the girls in my class were all wearing Limited Too and I was stuck in JC Penny boy's huskies. I am the middle child of six children, and all my siblings were average weight for their age. Then there was me over 100 pounds in the third grade. I did not have many friends growing up because I did not relate to the average girls in my class. I couldn't wear the same clothes or act the way a normal girl would in grammar school.
I can recall playing with my sisters and their friend's barbies while they all got to pick a doll that was similar to them, there was no doll like me so I would have to be the boy doll or not have to play at all. I can remember going to doctors appointments, and my mom would leave crying instead of me because she felt a fear of neglect and would always think child protective services would take me away due to my obesity as a little girl. In an all white school, there was one thing I shined in and that was sports.
Of course being the heaviest, I was always the goalie because the coaches thought I could never keep up with the skinnier girls. I proved my coached wrong and kept up with my team and make every team I signed up for. I was always the biggest girl and was even picked on the field from coaches and parents taunting me for my weight. Throughout the last year of grammar school, we had our 8th grade graduation dance and no one had ever seen me dress like a girl. I remember looking in the mirror before going to the dance saying to myself , "Erin, you look beautiful." I remember wearing a girdle to my 8th-grade dance and was nervous if a boy would feel my girdle through my dress. No one wanted to take pictures with me except some of my girlfriends and teachers.
Why I Decided to Have WLS
I hit a point in my life when nothing seemed to work for me. Trying nearly what seemed like everything to lose the weight, nothing ever worked out. My health was starting to crumble before my eyes. I was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome and type 2 diabetes. After realizing my health was being affected by my obesity, I knew it was time to make a difference in my life.
Before & After Gastric Sleeve
OH username: Erinxoxo13
Total Weight Loss: 127 pounds
Surgery Type: Gastric Sleeve
Surgery Date: October 3, 2011
Surgeon: Dr. Seun Sowemimo
My Surgical Experience
My surgical experience was by far the best blessing to come into my life. The overall experience changed my life completely. Going through so many obstacles to get approved for the surgery at such a young age seemed impossible. Meeting with multiple doctors, and having to prove genetic obesity was the most difficult time for me during this experience. Having no ability to lose the weight on my own, I had to prove to multiple doctors that I could not do it on my own. Doctors went as far back as to looking into my pediatric records to obtain proof of my weight problem throughout my life.
After trying multiple diets, diet pills, and any kind of medical help to try to lose the weight, it became prominent to me that I needed to do something bigger to change my life. Researching other options to lose the weight, I became familiar with the idea of weight loss surgery. I then proceeded to contact my insurance provider to seek further information on weight loss surgery and what kind of doctor to see. My insurance provider directed me to see a bariatric surgeon in order to get coverage.
After meeting with Dr. Seun Sowemimo, he made it clear that I was in fact a candidate for weight loss surgery. He then informed me about the different kinds of surgeries that would be ideal for my weight loss. Dr. Sowemimo and I decided that the gastric sleeve would be my best option for weight loss surgery. Following that appointment with Dr. Sowemimo, I went about numerous doctor visits to many specialists to ensure that I was healthy to undergo any surgery and life altering experience.
It took six months of determination and hard work to get completely healthy and mentally stable to progress with any kind of surgery.
My surgery date was set for October 3, 2011. After successfully preparing myself for this day, I was ready to get a second chance at life. I was ready to end all of the doubts, bullying, hardships, loneliness, depression and setbacks in my life. This time around I was going to prove not only to myself but to everyone around me that I could go through with this surgery and come out on top. I was ready for my new beginning.
How It Was To Have Surgery
Having the “gastric sleeve” weight loss surgery saved my life. Being given this once in a lifetime opportunity to change my life forever, I knew there was no turning back. The weight loss surgery gave me new life. I felt reborn and more passionate about living. Nothing could stop the joy and happiness I felt when I saw results. As the days, months, and years went on, I was becoming more confident with myself. This was a dream brought to reality for me. Never did I imagine that one day I would be this confident in my own skin. I am so humble and fortunate to have been given a second chance at life. I could never thank my bariatric surgeon Dr. Seun Sowemimo enough. You have saved my life, you are forever my angel.
Being a New Post-Op
After my weight loss surgery was completed and I was in recovery, I thought to myself this is my chance to change my life completely. Throughout my recovery, I encountered lots of obstacles that felt impossible to overcome. I was continuously getting sick from eating or drinking too much. Some days I would feel extremely exhausted and couldn't get out of bed. I experienced a set-back when I had to get my gallbladder removed. It was difficult to be in recovery from weight loss surgery, and from gallbladder surgery at the same time. I was weak but never gave up on myself or my journey.
As time went on I began to get better, stronger, and healthier. I learned to have full control over my diet and new lifestyle. I had diminished my old ways and started to see the results I have dreamed about my entire life. Following up with my bariatric surgeon and specialists, I was assured that I was headed in the right direction. Shedding the weight throughout the weeks and months, my recovery became much easier and rewarding. My journey post-op was extremely tough at first, but I learned that it is important to never give up on yourself. Keeping your motivation and ambition high is key to a journey of success. Although post-op is difficult, it is important that you push through the hardships and never doubt yourself along the way.
Today, I can finally look in the mirror and truly see my beauty. Today my life is forever changed. I find myself continuously inspiring people that there is hope out there to change your life. Never give up on yourself, this lesson will forever be my motivation in life.
Having the weight loss surgery at only twenty years old, I hope my journey continues to inspire the younger generation.
My Milestones and Non-Scale Victories
Throughout my weight loss journey, I have accomplished many milestones and victories. All my life, I knew I was destined to become a mother. Earlier in my life, I was told I could never give birth to a child due to my diagnosis of polycystic ovarian syndrome. After losing 127 pounds, I was blessed to have given birth to two beautiful, healthy boys. Being able to run around and play with my boys is the best feeling.
My two sons are the best blessings to come into my life. Not only did these two miracles happen but I got married to the man of my dreams. The man who stuck by me through thick and thin-literally. Everything in my life has changed for the better, I am truly blessed. I have had many milestones throughout my weight loss journey that have made me so humble.
I will never forget the day I got to finally put on a bikini! It was the most rewarding feeling. Being able to fit in any stores clothing was a huge milestone for me, considering my entire life I could only fit in boys clothes. To be able to do something that you could never do in your life is a victory itself. The weight loss surgery also successfully helped me conquer and defeat type 2 diabetes and polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Losing the weight has benefited my health so much, I am so glad I can now live a healthier life. Throughout this journey, I have hit many milestones that I have dreamt about since I was a little girl. The most special milestone to me throughout this all was not having to wish on my birthday anymore to be skinny. Dreams come true!
How ObesityHelp.com Has Been A Part Of My Journey
ObesityHelp.com has now become a part of my journey and has provided me with the support to share my story with you all. My journey was full of many ups and downs. Having support from friends, family, doctors, and now ObesityHelp.com it is truly a blessing to me. All the support I have been given in my life has helped me throughout my journey.
Thank you to everyone who has been a part of my journey and never given up on me. Words cannot express how thankful I am to have had this amazing support. Never lose your ambition, anything is possible. Its up to you to make the change!
Share Your Before & After Success!
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