This is my story....(very long)

Ive been pondering all last week on what to post on my one year surgiversary. Let me start off by telling you about some of the events that led to my surgery. I never had a weight problem until about 9th grade and I blame it on two things, birth control pills(for severe menstral cramps) and moving in with my great grandmother at age 12. She believes the more you eat the better and was always soothing me with food. I married my boyfriend since 7th grade six months out of high school in December of 1998. We lived with my great grandmother until November of 2002. In those 4 years I went on countless diets and was always up or down in weight. When we bought our house I was around 250 and began another diet losing about 40 pounds by April of 2003. Then in May found out I was pregnant and already back at 218. I gained 45 pounds during pregnancy and delivered Chandler Kyle on New Years Eve of 2003. Then thats when my world literally went out of control. I worried all through pregnancy that I wouldnt be a good mother and everyone said dont worry, itll come naturally. Chandler had severe acid reflux requiring medication til age one and this combined with being clueless as how to be a mother and not having anyone to help me except my husband when he could made me sink into deep post partum depression. Finally seeking help when he was 9 wks old things only got worse and had to have the medicine adjusted when he was 4 months old. From January to May of 2004 I used food as my source of comfort, gaining what I had lost after delivery and even more putting me at my all time high of 274 pounds. I would binge from the time I got up til I went to bed because food was the only thing that made me happy and as long as I was eating I wasnt depressed. I would eat until the point of misery and then as soon as I wasnt I would eat again. My poor husband had to do everything. I didnt care if the house was clean, I didnt care if I was even clean. When my husband got home from work he took care of the house, Chandler and me. I would never wish on anyone what I went through those few months. It got so bad that my husband would cry to me and tell me he didnt know what to do anymore. We turned to God and going to church as a means of hope. In the end little by little we did all get better and today you would never know I ever was depressed. Chandler and I are so close now and I love him with every part of my being, though I dont think I want anymore. I asked the doctor about WLS in May of 2004 and he said I would have to prove to him I could lose 30 pounds first. So I went to Weigh****chers and lost all 30 by October of 2004 and began my journey. In May of 2005 at the time of surgery I had gained all of it back except 10 pounds. Luckily that didnt keep me from having it. I am so grateful that I had this surgery. It has helped me in so many ways. I still have issues with eating but just take it one day at a time. I have learned so much about food and nutrition along the way that it is my dream to become a nutritionist and educate people who want our surgery. Candy

Congrats on being 1 year out. It takes a lot of courage to do the surgery. I'm proud of you for all your accomplishments in this year. Jan

Candy, Great story. Thanks so much for sharing. Helping educate others would probably be a great career choice to avoid rebounds for yourself. This is a lifelong struggle, that is the real hard part. You are on your way!!! Lori

Congratulations Candy! Your story is such and inspiration! You've done great and have so much to celebrate! Enjoy your sucess!! Hugs, Wanda

Hi Candy, thanks for sharing your story. You have come a long way baby. Congratulations! Happy Surgiversary. Yep, it is ' one day at a time' , and will continue to be, huh? Sounds like your dream to become a nutritionist is worth diving into. Once you have SEEN and LIVED the other side it is such a caring thing to give back. Mary

Thanks for sharing Candy. You've made great progress and we are all so proud of you.