What is your ultimate wish or dream?

Hi Kathy,

I wrote an article about is is NEVER to Late to have weight loss surgery.  Here it is. I hope it helps you.  And YES we will stay in touch.  My personal E-mail is: [email protected].  Feel free to send me any questions that you might have.

Hugs, Suzanne

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It is never too late in life to consider having WLS (Weight Loss Surgery).  I was 63 years old when I had weight loss surgery.  I never had a weight problem until after having two children.  And then I seemed to struggle with being overweight.  I now know all the reason why, I became less active, and ate more than I should have.  I have tried most of the diets that you have tried, some with success and most no success.  But, I would always manage to gain the weight back because I NEVER changed my lifestyle.  My top weight was 235 lbs. and I am 5’3” tall.  My body hurt, my back ached and I had a pain in my leg that felt like I had a hot poker burning me most of the time.  So I must have had a high tolerance for pain.  I worked with a friend and noticed that she had lost weight, so I started asking her questions.  Then she told me about going to Dr. Aceves, MD.  She is a nurse and I really trusted what she was telling me.  She directed me to his Web Site and then to the Yahoo Support Group site.  I researched WLS for about 6 months before I made a choice.  I sat and watched the people on the Yahoo Support Group and never said much for quite sometime.  Now I have learned that is pretty normal.  Then I was sure I want to have WLS and my choice was VGS –referred to as the “Sleeve.”  So that is the start of my Weight loss journey.

I just didn’t wake up one morning and say “oh in October I am going to have WLS.”  I went through a process of getting here.  I believe you have to have your “head” in the right place for this to be successful.  I knew my head was in the right place, when I put myself ahead of everyone else.  So many of us are care takers of everyone else and we come so far down on the list of taking care of ourselves. Be prepared for the opposition that you may face from your own family and friends.  I believe that we really need to educate them so that they know exactly what we are doing and how safe it is.  But this is about YOU and NO one else.  You have to be willing to stand up for yourself; you have earned the right to do this.  Believe in yourself enough and want this enough to be successful. I felt awful, I hated my body, and I wanted to be healthy again.

About 6 years ago I met and fell in love with the most wonderful man.  I had been single for 16 years.  He is an amazing man and loved me for just who I was—overweight.  He has been very supportive and encouraging every step of they way.  I can’t begin to tell you all the beautiful and wonderful comments that he give me.  I had the surgery because I wanted to become healthy and wanted the opportunity to spend the rest of my life with Bob. Bob and I were married in May 2010.  We have the most wonderful life together and he has been very supportive of me and my journey—we have changed how we eat and without really trying Bob has lost 25 pounds too. 

My weight loss journey has been incredible, and I have learned so many things about myself and food.  Food is no longer my driving force.  I eat to live not live to eat!  When I eat, I actually think about putting good and healthy foods into my (new) 65 yr old body!  What a thought.  I look for the protein first because I try to make sure I get 70 grams of protein and then my veggies and some fruit each day.  I started keeping track on line what I was actually putting in my body so I would have some idea of the number of calories I was eating each day. I have always liked who I am, but I love my new improved body.  Bob and fabulous and goes for walks with me almost every day. We are making the last part of our life the very best part of our life. Love yourself enough to want to change your life and to become healthy.  I remember the first time someone called me skinny—I thought to myself who are they talking about—OH it is me I am skinny.  That is a moment that I will always remember.  It was a life changing moment!

Suzanne Beaty

Sleeved 10/21/2008

Starting weight 225

Goal weight     125

Weight now     120

I want to be filthy rich. (*grin*)

Hi,

Yes, having all the money you would need would be nice.  I also learned that having good health and being able to do the things I want without my poor body hurting is also fabulous!  I loved your comment, and it made me SMILE!

Take care,

Suzanne

For me I would have to say to complete, not compete in Ironman Kona.  I would take any slot to have an opportunity to experience this race.  I know I will never be fast enough to get an Age Group slot so I will have to dream of way day getting a lottery or media slot.

I know I am crazy for wanting to experience what is called "The toughest day in sports".

Hi Paul,

I think what you want is just perfect.  There is NOTHING wrong with having a dream and never giving up on it.  I hope for you that you DO get to experience it.  I admire you for wanting to do something like this.  For me just walking 7 days a week has been great.  I just finished walking this morning and I have walked 62 days in a row and NEVER have missed a day.  And I am 67 so that feels good for me.  Keep me posted if you get to complete your goal!!!  And you are NOT crazy at all.

Hugs, Suzanne