Describe your behavioral and emotional battle with weight control before learning about bariatric surgery.
At the age of 6, I began to gain weight. I was chubby, to say the least. The older I got, the more weight I gained. When I was young, my weight really didn't effect me. I was in band, I was in chorus, I was the "chubby" cheerleader and I twirled in the marching band. However, as I became a teenager- things got a little tougher. I went from a small elementary school to a larger high school. I had to make new friends. Let's face it- kids are cruel! It became more difficult to be socially accepted, but I found my niche' and became involved in extra curricular activities. By the time I graduated from high school, I weighed 207. During college, my weight went up and down like an elevator. I would lose and gain the same 50 lbs, over and over again. Eventually, I finished college, got married and began a family. Because of my being over weight, my pregnancies were complicated and difficult. I was 25, pregnant and diagnosed with diabets- type 2. What was thought to be gestational, became a way of life. The diabetes has never gone away. During my second pregnancy, I started to take insulin. That was 14 years ago and I still take insulin. Not only did I have to take insulin during my pregnancy, but it was also a very complicated. I spent weeks in the hospital, my weight skyrocketed. By the time I delivered my second daughter, I weight a good 350. I did not lose the weight, as a matter of fact, I gained more after she was born. Then, 4 years later, I became pregnant for the third time. The day I found out that I was pregnant, I was immediately hospitalized. I spent the next 7 months in and out of the hospital- more in than out. My diabetes was out of control, I was gaining weight rapidly and my heart began to fail. I went into congestive heart failure. My baby's life was in jeopardy. My life was in jeopardy. I went into the hospital late February. I was on a heart monitor, oxygen, IV medications, and could not lay flat. I was not allowed out of bed. I was dying. My weight was 450. Finally, on April 5th, I was able to go home for a few days. To be honest, the doctors let me go home so that I could spend time with my family. I had been away from my two other children for more than a month and the upcoming delivery of my third child would be very risky. The doctors were point blank- get a power of attorney, write a living will. So, I did. On April 10, 2002- I went back to the hospital. It was time for my baby to be born. I had a scheduled C-Section. I was able to be awake for the delivery. My mother was at my side. The neonatal unit was on standby. There were so many doctors, nurses, and specialist in the operating room that it was standing room only. I was scared. Scared for my new baby, scared for my babies at home and scared to leave my family. I laid on that cold operating table for what seemed like forever. Then, in a blink of an eye- there was a cry. It was a soft and muffled cry- but a cry none the less. It is all a blur, but I do remember the nurse bringing her to me- I gave her a kiss on the forehead and off to the neonatal unit she went. We survived. She was amazingly healthy considering all of the complications. I on the other hand- was anything but healthy. After delivery, my weight went from 450 to 370. I still had congestive heart failure, diabetes, high blood pressure and asthma. I could barely walk. I had to park in handy-cap parking, I had to ride a scooter in the store and I completely depended on my 9 year old to help take care of her sisters. All of this and I was in the mist of a nasty divorce. I couldn't work, I was sick, I was broke and I was alone. I applied for disability. While I waited for the disability to be approved. We struggled. I continued to deteriorate in health. Finally, our family doctor set me straight. He was not mean, just very matter of fact. I would not live to see my youngest daughter make it to kindergarten. She was two. It was 2004. I made a decision, I would attempt to have GBS. It took me a year to find a doctor that would accept the medicaid. I lived outside of St. Louis ( Illinois side) and the doctor was in Chicago. A five hour trip. It only took a few short months for my surgery to be approved. In October, 2005, I had GBS. I was ready. Once again, I was facing surgery that was potentially life threatening. I had my power of attorney, my living will and my mother and brother by my side. The surgery was a success. Within a matter of days, my weight loss had began.
What was (is) the worst thing about being overweight?
For me, the worst thing about being overweight is the health risks. I am still battling health issues due to being over weight. I have lost 220 lbs, but have 80 to go. I have realized that I put my body through so much abuse being overweight, that some things are not going to go away. I will always be diabetic, my heart has permanent damage and my knee's are shot. However, I can park in a regular parking spot, I don't ride a scooter and I can attend social functions with more confidence.
If you have had weight loss surgery already, what things do you most enjoy doing now that you weren't able to do before?
Since I have lost so much weight, I am more comfortable in my own skin. I am not afraid to go out in public- Damn- I look good! I volunteer at my kids school, I have been a girl scout leader, I can go anywhere, anytime. I am not bed ridden. Oh, and I have a boyfriend of 4 years! My babies are growing up. My oldest is 18, the middle is 14 and my baby-9. What I really enjoy doing now- more than anything is living life- not just existing!
lamerideth
