Successes and Struggles

I thought it might help if we tried sharing our successes and struggles. They change over time, so it doesn't matter if you are awaiting surgery, in the midst of losing weight or have reached maintenance, you'll have something valuable to share.

Successes - I think being active in my support groups have been a major success for me. They help me stay focused on doing things to take care of myself. 

Struggles - I have been struggling to remember all of my supplements. I finally got a 'smart phone' and have downloaded a medication reminder app and I'm trying to use that to help me remember all of the doses. It seems to be helping some. I'd say that I honestly am getting in about 80 percent of my supplements, so I still need to work harder to up that percentage.

Mine would be I struggle with eating solid foods I am 5.5 months post op.

SMALL SUCCESS!!!

I got approved by my family doctor today to have surgery, sent off my forms to OHIP!!

Successes for me would have to be my keeping my exercise routine going.  It takes three weeks to make or break a habit, which I firmly believe in.

Struggles are still dealing with Head Hunger and NOT eyeballing portions.  Measure twice, cut once, ha ha ha!  

How I keep myself accountable has been by blogging here on OH and attending three different support groups monthly.  Support is what I need - to give to others and to get from others.  If you try to build a house all by yourself, it will take you a whole lot longer than if you accept help from others -- that is what I call a Brenda-ism!

Brenda  : )~

Hello Everyone! I am awaiting surgery. After a few botched attempts at clinics to have the paperwork done properly, I have FINALLY found a family doctor!  I see him wednesday to discuss me having the surgery.

I am 36 years old and a single mom of three kids. I weigh 361 lbs and I have a BMI of 54.9. I suffer from type 2 diabetes, chronic back pain from the weight and the fact that i have had 2 ruptured discs in my back for the past 11 years. I have knee and joint pain. I suffer from high blood pressure, depression and anemia, stress incontinence. I have found that the older I get the more issues I am having.

Ten years ago I was booked to have this surgery in Toronto. Two days before my consult, I could not get ahold of the office for the surgeon and when I called my family doctor, He said that the office had been closed for malpractice. Needless to say, that scared me off for sometime.

Two years ago I went to Barix in Yipslanti for my consult, and they agreed I needed it.. It was a light to my darkness.. but then the doctors at the clinic totally botched my attempts and OHIP closed  my claim as the paperwork was never returned to them.

I was born a tiny baby, weighing just over 5 lbs. When I was 5 yrs old everything changed. I had my tonsils removed and drastically began gaining weight. My poor mother, bless her heart, tried everything from seeing a doctor to diets to not allowing me any sweets, and still I ballooned. I cannot remember one expirience my entire life, where shopping fir clothing was a joyful experience. As a child I grew up at the mercy of the cruel jokes and comments. And to make things worse, I have 4 of the best looking siblings in the world lol.. Not a one of them ever struggling with weight. I had family members offer to pay me, " if i would just lose weight". I have missed out on so much, trips with my sisters, going to clubs and bars with my siblings because they were embarrassed of me. My one sister telling me I could not go to the club and dance, because I would be laughed out of the building, I was 19 years old. And the beginning fo me avoiding everything social. I would go out occasionally.. but when men smiled or made comments I always heard ridicule. The saddest thing, I look at pics now and I did not weight even 200 pounds at that point. Had I joined a gym, I would likely be ok now. I have tried everything, weigh****chers, jenny craig, pills potions, soups, diets, I have joined the gym.. I have lost 70 pounds, 100 pounds.. just to have ti seem to appear again overnight.

So Here I am .... what I feel is well educated. But still nervous. Scared that i will go to the doctor and He will tell me I cant have surgery. For me this feels like my last chance. I am missing out on life. On my kids, On family events. I want to hold my head high and be proud of accomplishing this goal in my life. I want my kids to be proud of me. I am terrified of what I will feel if I am denied. Of having no one close to me understand, and toss me the typical line " join a gym, stop eating crap" .. I wi**** were that easy.

So that my fluffy , and no longer fluffy friends, is MY struggle today.