Describe your behavioral and emotional battle with weight control before learning about bariatric surgery.
My weight has always been a struggle for me. I was constantly teased in high school for being the "fat" girl. For a long time my diet consisted of Diet Mt Dew and diet pills. I even turned bulimiac in my constant battle to "fit" in. Thankfully, a friend told the school nurse what I had been doing and she was able to give me the reality check I needed. The weight issues continued into my adult life. I have been to WW numerous times, have lost lots of weight only to gain it right back again. I have had fertility issues due to my weight and severe depression. I started just accepting the fact that I would be fat all my life. I started considering bariatric surgery about 5 yrs ago, but still thought it was the "easy way" out and that "I could do it on my own". It wasn't until Aug 2010 when I decided to take the next step and walked into the bariatric seminar. That night I filled out the registratrion forms and I was counting down the days to having surgery in 6 mths. Well, the process definitely didn't go as planned and didn't actually have surgery until Oct, 2011. As of today,5-22-I2 have lost a total of 135 lbs and I feel like a new woman! I still have lots to go but continue to look forward to my journey. It is not an easy road by any means and I struggle daily with the emotional side effects. I feel like I made one of the best decisions of my life by choosing bariatric surgery.
What was (is) the worst thing about being overweight?
Definitely the worst thing about being overweight or in my world, morbidly obese, was not participating in my kid's lives. I felt like I was on the outside looking in. When your 5 yr old tells someone at the amusement park that "mommy is too big to go down the slide", you know you have big issues. The other hard thing for me was the prejudice you experience by being fat. I was tired of being looked down on because I was fat. People treat you like you don't belong on this planet. It's a weird feeling to have people "accept" you for the first time in your life.
If you have had weight loss surgery already, what things do you most enjoy doing now that you weren't able to do before?
So many things have changed for me in the last 7 mths. First and foremost, I feel great! I know longer want to sit and watch t.v. or play on the computer all day. I want to get out and do things. I am down a total of 6 pant sizes and I actually like to get ready in the morning. My husband can also tell that I take more time for "me" in the morning by always doing my hair and makeup and worrying about the details such as earrings and perfume. It wasn't always like that. I would throw on whatever fits and go on with my day. I actually recently donated 4 boxes of clothing that were now too big for me. That is a great NSV right there. I now am playing with my kids instead of watching them. Last week I took my boys to a place where they have inflatables and after a bit I decided to join them in the bounce house. My oldest sons face was priceless when he seen me in there with them and yes, I did actually jump in the bounce house as well. I couldn't have done that 6 mnths ago! I now fit in a booth without squeezing into it. I recently found that I can cross my legs again! I can't wait to go on vacation in April and have that airplane seatbelt buckle without a worry! Everyday I have a new NSV and to be honest I think those feel way better than any number on a scale can! Update: I did go on my Cariibbean cruise in April and it was amazing! Wow, what a great feeling to not have to ask for an extension and to actually have to tighten my seatbelt. One of the greatest things was seeing my brother and sister in law for the first time since last March! They were so shocked to see how I looked! It was great doing everything everyone else did and not feeling one bit ashamed doing it! I NEVER thought I would be one of those people saying they lost 135 lbs in 7 mths! I am only 15lbs away from Wonderland and I can not wait! I couldn't even tell you the last time I seen a 1 on that scale!
Godgaveus2
