Describe your behavioral and emotional battle with weight control before learning about bariatric surgery.
I was a heart attack and death trap away, in about 5 years. I lost the love of my life. My mom passed away in 2004. I became pregnant and didnt know what to do in 2005. I decided on adoption.
Over the past years I started gaining weight due to depression and Yes, living in Alaska. You know about the freshman "15" well over the years I gained over 80 lbs. I was eating my self to death. I kept eating and eating. Well little did I know I was Type II diabetic. I didn't go to the Dr.'s during a few years of my life due to the fact I didn't have health insurance. I was finally diagnosed in 2008.
I was asked by my father in 2008 if I wanted weight loss surgery. I told him NO, I wanted to do this on my own.
A few years later in 2011, I was at my heaviest 286 lbs. OHH MY GOSH, yes 286 lbs. I couldn't believe I let my self get this way. I was so mad at my self and hated the world.
Some thing needed to be done. I found a wonderful Diabetes Dr. who wrote numerous letters to the insurace. Well I was denied since I have an exclusion clause. Darn I know, but I prevailed.
What was (is) the worst thing about being overweight?
I had Type II Diabetes, insulin dependant. I had High Cholesterol. I was on Metformin and Glymiperdie and Victoza. The diabetes medication was taking up half of my budget for food. This was an added expense that hurt me. I was paying close to $125 a month for all my medication.
I also had Anxiety Disorder, PTSD, to name a few. Well yes, I contribute that to me being overweight. I know I do have a family history of depression. I know I am not blaming my grandmother, but I blame my self now for not getting the help I needed before I got to my heaviest. Just a learning process.
I barely took care of my self, meaning I barely excercised. I was encouraged too, but did I listen. NO... yes, I know stubborn me.
If you have had weight loss surgery already, what things do you most enjoy doing now that you weren't able to do before?
OHHH, I am loving myself and life a lot more. I am down 92 lbs, from pre-op. I started at 286 lbs June 2011, I am down to about 195 lbs, Feb 2012. I had surgery Oct. 25, 2011, I went to California, I didn't have my surgery in Alaska. When in California, I actually went down the stairs for the first time, I almost cried then and there, but kept it in. I did shed a little tear at the hotel I was at. These were happy tears. I was finally getting life back and I can live to see my nephew, niece grow up and play with them.
My goal this June 2012, is to walk 13.1 miles, yes 13.1 miles, I am doing a 1/2 marathon. I am walking every day and feeling happy and more energized. I am walking 40-60 minutes a day that I wasn't used too and not getting tired.
I am learning to love the ones that hurt me when I was overweight. I know hard to explain.
I have noticed I am getting more attention now, since I have lost weight and getting a lot of compliments from co-workers and family.
jennak88
