Obesity Kills
I am so sad for my cousin, because I have a son who is 33. I cannot imagine her pain right now.
But, this reminds me why I had WLS in the first place. My weight was climbing regularly. In 1989, I weighed 190 pounds. In 2001, I was at 250 pounds. In 2005, I was up to 319. That was when I entered an outpatient eating disorder treatment program. A year later, I had my surgery.
At the time of my surgery, I was on Lipitor, for high cholesterol, and I was told I was prediabetic. Because of my weight, I developed herniated discs in my back, and arthritis in my back and lower joints.
All I know is that at the age of 48, I had all the markders for an early death. My WLS saved my life.
Sorry to be the bearer of such sad news. I just know that this is a battle, and I take it seriously anymore. Just like I won't touch alcohol anymore, I am serious about following the dietary guidelines given to me by my surgeon. I messed around for three years with the food, but no more.
Also, I plan to tell my kids I love them more often. I am grateful for each of them, and will not take them for granted any longer.
Hugs,
Trish
Albert Schweitzer
Thank you for sharing. It is so sad to lose someone at that early age. My cardiologist didn't say anything about longevity until I was having my tests done for clearance for the WLS.
She said I'm glad you are doing this. If you don't do this I believe you will be dead in 2 years. That's a shock to hear. Now I must remember that food never did me any favors when I ate nothing but fast foods and sweets. At nine months out I have been hearing them calling to me. I'll nip it in the bud right now. Again, Thanks. Hugs, Mag
I am sorry to read of your family loss. It is a truth that the disease of obesity kills, sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly by robbing us of the very simplest of joys, walking for instance, which was part of what had happened to me, in that I could not walk for any period longer than an hour without serious pain and at 51 years of age, I was used to a much more active life and saw that my future was looking grim, it made me take a serious look at what I could do to increase my odds against dying early, as it was family history that showed me, obesity kills.
That being said, I have a brother, my only sibling, 10.5 years younger, who is seriously obese, probably what would be considered super morbidly obese, as I have no real idea of his weight, he doesn't or hasn't gone to a doctor in god only knows how long, but he stands 6 feet tall and wears size 5x, so that gives one an idea and I imagine he weighs upwards of 400 lbs., his legs look bad, he sweats profusely and I remember when I had my surgery, I had hoped that if I was successful at it, he might consider it, he even broached the subject a time or two, but there was always an excuse, at the time some were valid in that his job situation would not allow for him to take the time off, but he recently became unemployed, so I took a chance last week and waited on an opportunity to say something to him, and when he shared that part of his severance package was that his employer would be paying for his insurance for a full year beyond his six month severance period, I actually found the in I was looking for and very carefully, so as not to preach, asked him if now that he had some time he would consider looking into what we spoke about a couple of years back, he started off by saying that his head is not really there right now and I pursued it very simply by telling him that there are newer options out there and he might just want to take a look at them or something. I gave him some information on the various procedures that might suit his lifestyle better and he said he would look at them, but I think he is mad at me, as when I called him yesterday he did not answer my call, which is unusual. I've actually had several family members approach me about talking to him, my Aunt in NC even said that next time she comes up here, she wants to address it herself in the form of some sort of intervention, even if he does get mad at us, which is why no one approaches him, because he has a nasty temper.
I am powerless over him and his choices, but it saddens me that my baby brother is essentially killing himself.
Thanks for listening. . . Laureen
My Mantra is that I do not determine my success by the number hanging in my closet, nor will I let the scale determine that success either. . . It is through trial and error I will continue to grow and succeed. . . Laureen
"Success is a journey, not a destination." Ben Sweetland
Oh, Trish, I'm so sorry. How very sad.
Like you and so many of us, I struggled with my weight constantly. But it wasn't until I began to develop the co-morbidities in my late 40's that I really began to be concerned for my mortality. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, pre-diabetes--it was all there. I couldn't get up and down off the floor. Could barely get in and out of chairs. NEVER sat on the sofa!
Morbid obesity kills and WLS saves lives. Why is there such prejudice against having this life-saving surgery? Who knows? If we had some other chronic illness and there was a surgery that could correct it and save our lives, no one would think twice about us having it. It's a crazy world.
And Mag, I agree whole-heartedly with you. Food never did me any favors. I drank a coke every day of my life for breakfast since I was 16 years old, usually with a donut or pastry of some sort. I ate chocolate every day. And ice cream. I baked pies and cakes and treats of all sorts. And cooked huge southern meals. All good food all the time. What did it get me? FAT, that's what. All that good food damn near killed me.
And yet, even knowing all of that, snacks and treats still "talk" to me all the time. I walk in a store and I want to buy candy. I pass the donut shop or the ice cream shop and I want to indulge. Last night I ate stale potato chips! I don't even like potato chips! But I lied to myself and told myself I could have them because they weren't sugar. I fear it will never end.
(BTW, I threw the rest of the bag of chips down the garbage disposal. Only way I can get rid of it and not eat it!)
Like Trish says, this is a battle and we are in it for life. That's why having the daily support of our sisters is so important. I thank each of you for being here on this forum and for the support you give me!
Vickie
Oh Trish I am so sad to read this this morning!! So young and my heart goes out to you and the family!!
When I was Very Obese my dr told me that if I didn't do something soon I would be dead in a few years!!! That did it for me and I told him I wanted to have WLS!!! I am glad I had a dr that got my through the ropes so I could have it!!!! Am sorry that your cousin didn't qualify for WLS back then and SHOULD have in my opinion!! How sad!!
Please let your family know that I have them in my prayers and thoughts ok?
HUGS
WLS definitely saved me from a wheel chair and an early death as well.
This surgery is such a blessing to all of us.
Love and hugs....connie d
