Describe your behavioral and emotional battle with weight control before learning about bariatric surgery.
I am 45 years old and have so many health crisis I feel at least 20 years older. My mom passed away in 2004 at 59 and quite honestly a small voice in my head keeps telling me I'm in overtime. Since my teens I have tried everything from fasting, appetite suppressants, gym memberships, nutritionalists, Atkins, you name it. I have known several friends who have gone through WLS with varying degrees of success. For so many years I worked for a small non profit which offered no insurance, so WLS was still out of my reach.
After moving to Alaska and finally having medical care I began putting things in order. For the first time in years, I finally had access to getting my health under control. This also brought to light many health concerns that until now I could hide in the dark corners. Adding to my issues of asthma, obstructive sleep apnea, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and edema I learned that I have had a heart attack at some point in the past and I have disk degeneration in my neck and lower back. I also now have a herniated disk in my lower back. As my back continued to worsen I faced the fact that I would either be looking at back surgery or I could choose a different course through WLS. Knowing it may be too late for my back, it wasn't too late for my life.
I have two wonderful boys, my oldest having married his sweetheart last year. I want to see my grandkids (whenever they arrive), I want to join my son on a hike in this beautiful state, I want to travel with my family, take a cruise and actually leave the cabin!
Today I took the first step, I went to my primary care to request a referral. I chose my prospective surgeon based on his reviews on this site. I am still gathering information to choose the right surgery for me.
What was (is) the worst thing about being overweight?
I really hit bottom emotionally in 2011 when I took my son to Six Flags and had to get off a ride because the lap guard couldn't latch. I was mortified and worse yet, my son was as well. It was at that point that I began really researching serious weight loss options.
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'm looking forward to having stuff to put in this box!!!
Ibhavn
