Newbie here

Hi, I'm new here. Just a quick background on me... My whole life I have struggled with obesity. The only thing that has ever kept it under control was running... and much to my horror, I shattered my ankle in 1995, thus ending my running career. The weight slowly started to pack on, and by 2000 I was officially labeled as obese with PCOS/Insulin Resistance. In 2002 I had my first child... a girl... and I gained 30 pounds with that pregnancy. I had severe gestational diabetes, and was on daily insulin injections. I lost about 20 of those pounds in the first year after her birth, and on her first birthday, we found out that we were expecting our second child. Through my son's pregnancy, I gained an additional 40 pounds, had even worse gest. diabetes, and ended up delivering a 10 pound baby.  Despite doing Atkins and later, Weigh****chers, I have been unable to keep off any siginificant amount of weight, and in 2005, the bottom dropped out of my life- my then 14 month old son had a severe choking accident in daycare and nearly died. He spent 3 months in the ICU, and is now severely brain injured. True to form, I initially stopped eating (lost 25 pounds in those 3 months), and then turned to food for comfort. Flash forward to 2007. I'm 5'1 and weigh 225-ish pounds. My BMI is >42. My hips hurt all of the time. I can sleep 15 hours a day and still be exhausted. My back hurts. My asthma is out of control. Due to too much estrogen, I'm developing polyps. I feel like I'm 100, and I'm only 33. I have to do something, I feel like I'm dying. My kids deserve better. My husband deserves better. And most importantly, *I* deserve better. I look forward to getting to know you all.

  Welcome, I really like it here.  I wish you well on your journey.  Keep up posted on your progress.  If you need to vent...  there is always someone here that will listen and more than likely... relate.  Welcome! Lisa

Hi Ali -  Welcome to the boards!  I, too, live in Colorado Springs (east side, near Powers and Palmer Park) AND Dr. Chae is my doctor.  I just had my RNY on 12/17.  I also have a 5 year-old girl (born 1/26/02) and PCOS.  Only difference is....I'm 42!!! Please feel free to PM me with any questions or anything.  You are in great hands with Dr. Chae - my recovery has been problem free and I am A LOT A LOT larger than you. I hope to hear from you!! Jana

Welcome....I had my RNY 2 years ago.  I fell incredible.  I still have weight to lose but I am back on my way down.  Dr Chae was my surgeon too.  I love the Man!   ALso, do you know about the support group?  It is open to anyone but free to Dr Chae pts.  It is next week.  Kelley is having a life coach as a speaker.  I know it is a drive for you but you get to know more people. 

Sweetie... you absolutely do deserve better!  More then anything your children deserve to have mother for many years!!!!  Are you looking into having WLS?  I have a very good friend who weighed 323 lbs before WLS was on all kinds of medications for diabetes including a CCap (?? is that what it's called) and within one month after having her surgery, she was off all her meds including the CCap machine!   It breaks my heart to read that you feel so hopeless... you're in my thoughts, and good luck to you... hope you make the right decisions for you!  and those in your life. email me if you'd like to stay in touch:  [email protected] Lax