I'm not the typical WLS patient. I was an athletic young woman and weighed right around 120lbs most of my 20s and 30s. I didn't start to have weight problems until my late 30s. In 2008, I was diagnosed with early onset menopause which caused massive metabolic imbalance almost overnight. I gained 65+ lbs in a single year. Along with the pounds, my blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol went through the roof. Within 2 years I had developed sleep apnea, GERD, and severe lower back pain. By the time I was 45 I had arthritis in my lower back and almost constant sciatic nerve pain. My back hurt, my hips hurt, my ankles hurt. Just being so obese was extremely painful. Over the years I tried almost every diet known to humankind. I tended to go back to hCG because of the rapid weight loss, it kept me motivated. Unfortunately, my metabolism was still shifting, so as soon as I stopped using the hormones, I gained weight back, plus a few extra pounds, as if to add insult to injury!

My BMI was 37.1 when I first went to a weight loss surgery seminar. It was not my heaviest weight, but it was close. Being only 4'11", I never had more than 75-80 lbs to lose. I also carried it evenly distributed, and most people would comment that I wasn't overweight, just curvy. When I first looked into WLS I was not in a good situation financially and didn't have insurance that would pay for the surgery, so I could only hope that someday it could happen.

Fast forward to 2015, my situation finally improved enough that I started to consider WLS again. My husband was not happy when I brought it up, but once we talked a few times, he knew I was serious. I brought him along to meet with my surgeon after the weight loss seminar. My husband asked all of the pertinent questions, and finally ended up just asking him -- as small as my wife is, don't you think this is too drastic a measure? My surgeon said to my husband, obesity is a disease. If she had 'xyz' disease, would you expect her to keep trying things off the internet that you knew wouldn't work long term, or would you want her to get medical advice from a professional who specialized in her disease? After meeting my surgeon he knew this was right for me, and this guy was the right person to take care of me.

This surgery is a huge commitment. I chose to have this surgery because I knew I could never be successful at long term weight loss, and my health was worth the sacrifice it takes.

(Yeah, I've had the thought, man this is crazy! But in less than a year I'm back to under 120 lbs again and I don't hurt anymore. I have normal blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, no more arthritis pain, GERD controlled, and no more sleep apnea.) I call that a crazy win. :)

Good for you. Getting started is 1/2 the battle.

Hi guys,

MENU: (DS Maintenance Mode)
Pre-B - 2 protein coffees (60g), bullet proof with coconut oil
B - Greek yogurt w/blueberries and almonds
S - peanuts
L - small Caesar salad and small bag of kettle chips
S - small bag of Cheetos
D - bacon wrapped shrimp and coleslaw
S - CarbSmart ice cream

VITES:
morning batch: done
calcium batches:
iron: stopped
evening batch: started
heme iron: pending

MILES:
stairs

We have had about 5 minutes of sunshine in over a week. We do need rain but I wi**** would rain, give us the amount we need then clear up. Probably not going to happen.

My weekend was busy but enjoyable. Saturday I had lunch with niece at a restaurant that's know for high calorie food. I had a lunch size Cobb Salad and used probably a tablespoon of dressing. I didn't fini**** either.

I've been fighting a soy allergy for the last 2 weeks. It gives me a rash on my jawline and neck. I've been looking at every food to see if it have soy protein. Unfortunately, it's added to so many foods and even cosmetics. I'm about ready to see an allergist to see if there's something else I'm allergic to like almonds. I have almond milk at least once a day.

Yesterday, I worked on the weighted quilt for a fundraiser for a group that works with those with Autism. It has been a but it has turned out well.

Today:

Oatmeal Protein Brownie (4g)

Banana

Turkey Chili; cheese stick

Quest bar (20 g)

Blackberry cobbler with Carbquick topping

MORE PROTEIN needed!!!!

Chicken; veggies

Hey All,

I could use some advice. I've been heavy all my life to varying degrees. I got to 310 in my 30s, lost a ton of weight down to 230 after a rough divorce, back up to 270 a few years later, then down to 245, where I stayed for about 5 years. The last three years its been creeping back up to my current weight. I'm tall, so my frame carries it ok, but my playing weight in college was 205, so my underlying frame really isn't the football type.

I'm reasonably healthy, but have tons of orthopedic problems which have really sucked the enjoyment out of my life. I used to be a very good athlete, but now I have severe foot and ankle pain, low back pain, the list goes on. They all get much better as my weight gets closer to 260, and are gone below 250. I just havent been able to get back there.

The last three years weve spent close to 50k on weight loss retreats, lipo, supplements, home delivered diet food, hmr etc. I always do well at the start and then fail, then feel terrible about myself. I lost 20 lbs at a intensive weight loss and exercise retreat over thanksgiving and put it on again a month later which just really broke my spirit and left me feeling like I won't even be able to do this on my own again.

I'm a doctor by day, and Ive also noticed that while I don't have any severe co-morbidities, many signs of disease are slowly creeping up. In short, I feel like my health and weight are heading in the wrong direction.

I'll be a self pay if I move forward, but I'd love to hear from other folks who chose to have this surgery without a BMI over 40, whether it was worth it to them and their opinions on my situation. Sometimes I feel like its the only way forward, and other times I feel crazy for considering it.

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks,

-S

Post Op 11-3/4 mos

Good morning Menu Family! What a beautiful day it was yesterday! Got out for some batting practice yesterday, was nice! Will do my run at lunch, Week 5, day 1. Then off to the gym after work.

Woke up this morning and thought about not going to work....le sigh. Going to be a boring day.

B - 100 gr pemeal bacon, 1 egg, 1 cheese slice

S- deli turkey with mustard

L - 4.3 oz beer can chicken (white meat), cucumbers

S - kielbasa and a slice of old cheddar

D- shepperds pie

Total Cal 812, Carbs 23, protein 105

Have a great day!