Describe your behavioral and emotional battle with weight control before learning about bariatric surgery.
I have been overweight since about the age of 12 years old. I think being teased during elementary school probably shaped my feeling about myself and my lack of self-confidence. I never dated in high-school and married the first man I ever dated at the age of 25. I have managed to hide my lack of self-confidence behind humour throughout the years but not without it taking it's toll on my mental state. After meeting and marrying an alcoholic and gambling addict and having that marriage break down. I developed depression and high bloodpressure. The only saving grace has been my beautiful daughter. She is my lifeline and without her I don't think I would have made it. Now that I have completed the battle with regaining my mental health and working on building my self-confidence. It's time to make the final change and save my own life by losing the weight and becoming a better me! Like many of you I've tried Weight Watcher (3 times), Atkins (twice), South Beach, Stop the Insanity (remember that one...Susan Powter). Can't wait to finally have the surgery and begin this final journey.
What was (is) the worst thing about being overweight?
I think for me the worst thing about being overweight was feeling miserable about myself and not being able to look at my own body in a mirror. Knowing what people were thinking and even worse was being able to hear their comments. Being so frustrated that you just wanted to scream out....."I CAN'T HELP THAT I'M FAT!" The shortness of breath from just climbing the stairs in my own home drives me nuts and now that I'm over 40 I'm starting to have serious joint and muscle pain because of the extra weight.
If you have had weight loss surgery already, what things do you most enjoy doing now that you weren't able to do before?
I have had all the preop test, and have taken the nutrition classes. I'm just waiting for a date for surgery!
Lori G.
