Describe your behavioral and emotional battle with weight control before learning about bariatric surgery.
I have battled weight issues most of my life. I lived with constant disapproval from those in my life that were supposed to love me. I don't remember a time that I wasn't on a diet or thinking about a diet or recovering from another failed diet. And each time I failed, my self worth diminished a little more and so did the support of my family. I am a middle child, sandwiched between a sister that didn't live at home, a brother that made dad proud, and a beautiful baby sister who could seemingly do no wrong. (At least that's how my child mind perceived it). After many failed diets I started seeing my weight as a shield. If you really love me, you will love me in spite of my size. This kept many people from crossing the barriers that I had placed around my heart!
About three years ago I started considering WLS. I felt like such a hypocrite, as I had always been one of THOSE people that silently judged others for having taken this short cut or easy way out. (Anyone reading this, please forgive my ignorance, as I have since learned that my thinking was WAY out of line.) However, after a fall that required ankle surgery, I decided that I never again wanted to WILLINGLY be put to sleep. It terrified me and therefore, I held tight to my companion - food!! Food was there for celebration, or grieving, or fellowship, or to pass the time as I sat home on another dateless weekend night.
Enter 2012... Topping the scales at an VERY embarrassing 376 lbs. I finally decided that the terror of having surgery, didn't compare to the terror of dying an early death from an obesity related disease. As much as I love food - the greasier or sweeter the better (or so I thought) - I had a nagging voice in my head each time I overindulged that I was committing suicide on the installment plan!! So I aggressively started the process of having WLS in the early part of this year. I had RNY on Sept. 25, and I am looking forward to what the future holds.
What was (is) the worst thing about being overweight?
Aside from the health problems, the worst thing for me is not being physically able to PLAY. I have 6 nephews and 2 nieces and I am miserable sitting on the sidelines as they play on a playground or climb a rock wall, or slide down a slide, or play a game of football, etc. I may be 30 years old, but I long to play like a child!!! I want to be carefree (in the moments that I am not forced to be an adult to maintain a job, lol)!!!
If you have had weight loss surgery already, what things do you most enjoy doing now that you weren't able to do before?
N/A
Socgirl218
