Life Without Boots
October 20, 2012Life Without Boots
How the Surgical Weight Loss Centre Helped Me Kick the Fat Out of My Life!
by Sandra MacDonald
"Hey, Lard-ass!” “We don’t want you on our team.” “You are too fat to run.” “Don’t sit by me; you take up too much room.” “You can’t be a cheerleader; we don’t have a uniform to fit you.” “Do you need an extension belt?"If you have ever heard these comments and they were not meant for you, you probably would have laughed either in private or out loud. But if you were the brunt of these comments, you probably would have had a different response. Well, here I am “the brunt” of these jokes and finally at age 50, I no longer have that worry. People look at me differently, speak to me differently, and will sit beside me in an airplane or movie theater without hesitation. I had two things in my favor: I realized at a very young age I had an intelligent mind and a great sense of humor. I focused on these qualities so that people would relate to me as the smart girl or the funny girl, rather than the fat girl.
I remember my mother having difficulty clothing me and my brand name clothes were Chubbies and Huskies. In my adult years, this advanced to the “nice” fat names like Above Average, Encore, Ladies Plus, and a host of other labels. One thing I always wanted since I was eight years old was a pair of boots that went to my knees. Back then, I used boots to keep out the snow, but later on in life, boots became a necessity for style. Not even elastics, laces, or stretch fabric could afford me the luxury of wearing a pair of knee-high boots. I simply gave up trying by the time I was 35. (Smart but really stubborn!)
At age 47, I began to look at my life seriously. My daughter was engaged and soon to be married. I was unhappy in my marriage, and I had a really stressful job that required me travel, attend trade shows, and stand on my feet for hours on end. I toted brochures, worked long hours, and had to do a lot of eating out while on the road. I was seriously overweight, and both knees needed replacement due to degenerative arthritis and general wear and tear. I had diabetes, high blood pressure, reflux disease, and a general state of poor health. I took 14 pills a day, could not walk without extreme pain and discomfort, and steadily lost the self-confidence I had in my younger years. I had a bout of depression and extreme anxiety that I managed to battle and come out the victor. What were my options? I knew I wanted to be around to see my grandchildren (if I was to be blessed with any), and I certainly wasn’t through living. I wanted to have more fun, to travel, and still really wanted to wear a pair of knee-high boots.
I heard of this new procedure called the Lap-Band, so I began to research it online. During one of my travel trade shows to Toronto, I saw an advertisement for the Surgical Weight Loss Centre and made a call. This was the first step I needed to take control of my life. From the first call, I was treated with respect. I thought maybe this was because they couldn’t see me and just wanted to make a sale. How wrong was I? That was the pessimistic attitude I had added to the weight problems. The staff was wonderful right from the first contact. The doctor who called to speak with me a couple of days later was gentle, but blunt. He very calmly told me that the path I was on would certainly lead to serious health problems and that I was currently in excess of 160 pounds overweight. The staff in the accounts department, personal nursing staff, and the entire team is there to support you. There are direct phone lines available to the nurses. I was very happy and impressed when they called me the day after my procedure to inquire as to how I was feeling. This has continued to the present day, three and half years and 130 pounds later. I still have the support of the Surgical Weight Loss Centre and can call at any time for dietary assistance, support, ask questions, or just to get more information. My journey, albeit in ugly flat shoes, had begun.
I spoke with my family doctor in Nova Scotia who helped me make the arrangements for the required tests, prior to my trip to Toronto. I received surgery date, further instructions regarding diet prior to surgery, and financial planning opportunities. Due to my weight, I was prescribed three weeks of daily dietary shakes and on top of that, I had to force myself to eat 100 calories of vegetables every day. Wow, what about the French fries, hamburgers, chips, bars, and cake? What day did I eat those? I can honestly say that never once, not even during a work trip to New York City, did I eat anything other than the shakes and my vegetables for those three weeks. (I told you I was stubborn)!
Then came the big day! My brother, the health nut, drove me to the clinic, after a quick detour for an emergency bathroom stop (another medical issue that wasn’t any fun to deal with), and left me in the capable hands of the staff at the Surgical Weight Loss Centre. I was consulted, weighed, and then took the walk to surgery in ugly flannelette booties. After a very brief, and I do mean brief, time in recovery, I was given back to my brother, placed gently in his vehicle, and we left for home. I really do not remember a lot of the drive home or the rest of that day. I was uncomfortable and still really tired from the anesthetic, but after a few hours sleep was up, I showered and began walking around the house.
The next day the staff at the Surgical Weight Loss Centre phoned my brother to check on me and make sure all was well. They provided me with a number to call at any time if I needed support or had questions. I went for a small walk that day and then drove to a pharmacy for some medical supplies. The next day I was out for a boat ride in Lake Ontario and shopping. Guess what? I bought shoes! It was the only thing I could shop for that would fit me and even that was getting difficult.
Now three and a half years later, I do not have to use the handicapped washroom in public, nor need a belt extension on an airplane and the tray fits down as well. I saved my knees for three and a half more years, and I now take only one and half pills a day. My blood sugar is under control as well as my appetite, and I do not think about food constantly. I have cut my grocery bill in half, bought a 4×4 off-road vehicle, and have been a passenger on a street bike. I dance almost every week, have an unbelievable amount of energy, and a fabulous new wardrobe with brand names. I have gone from a size 26 to a 14 and, if I am lucky, a generous 12. I can even cross my legs!
The first time I purchased a size 12 pair of pants the sales lady informed me that they were a bit tight, to which I said, “That is quite alright, I am not going to wear them, I am having them framed!” And guess what? I now have boots! Seven pairs actually and I wear them every day.
Now you might ask, how much did it cost? Was it worth it? Would you do it again? Do you get any refund on your taxes? Is their financing available? How would you justify the costs? My answer: your life, your happiness, your quality of living, your self-esteem, YOU!
