Please share your humbling pre-DS moments (LONG)
While I drift off to sleep each night, I think about having the DS. Is it the right thing to do? Can I live the post-surgery life well? Will I wake up from the surgery? Will my disabled husband be able to take care of my kids by himself if I die? You know the drill. You've been there. I'm done with that crap now. On Friday, my five-year old son's class had a Chanukah party. As a room parent, I was the hostess with the mostess. Decorated, got the bagels, cream cheese and other stuff. Lead the group in prayer (I am a Catholic, but I digress). Did the goodie bags, took pictures of all the kids and their folks. Checked in with all the guests with good spirits and cheer. All while also caring for my very mobile 20-month old boy. You get the picture--I was busy but very happy. The kids were circling up with their teachers to do a cute, little skit they had learned for us and I had my toddler on my lap, waiting. One boy, who is buddies with my boy, leans over with a smile and says something unintelligible to me. I smile and say "what, honey?" He says it again, but louder and I still can't hear him because of the classroom noise. The next time he says it, it is clear as a bell and I am mortified: You are REALLY big! I blink back the tears and say "maybe you should tell your mom that you think that, honey." In a few minutes the children start asking their parents to get up and dance in a circle with them and I do it because I like to dance and my son is so happy to dance with me. Some day he will not want to dance with me in front of his friends. Most parents do not join the circle, but I do because I think it matters. I do cringe inwardly as I see some mom videotaping it. I make a note to ambush her in the lot and steal the camera. When I am saying goodbye to each family, I tell the boy's mother what he said and mention that I am glad he said it to me, instead of someone else, so that she can tell him that it is inappropriate for the future. She looked a little confused (language barrier situation) but I think she got it. Fat is fat across the world, I guess. I have always worried that my kids would suffer because of my obesity. I have worked hard to have two healthy-weight kids who view food as fuel. I hide my bingeing from them. I model good eating behavior in front of them--food in moderation, exercise (I work out 3-4 times a week and take them with me to the health club lots). I'm not sure the charade has been working, but so far so good. I hoped to get my weight in control before the elder one entered elementary school, where kids are more vocal and freer to say rotten things on accident or on purpose. I know if it's not my weight, it will be something else, but I feel strongly that I don't want it to be my weight! The clock is ticking. He starts kindergarten in the fall. So, now when I lay in bed, I will try and remember this painful story and the only question I will try and ask myself :"WHEN can I get my DS already?" I've had my share of humiliating fatass stories before--an India visit where gaunt villagers rubbed me and took photos of ME in front of Taj Mahal, waiting 2 hours in line for a rollercoaster I could not fit in, you name it--but this one hurt bad. And it's hurting my kids, the two people who means the very most to me. I know I needed this negative experience. I just move forward with my life and don't think about my weight as an obstacle very much. Now it is an obstacle for my kids they shouldn't have to have. So, do any of you have any "final straw that broke the camel's back" stories you'd be willing to share? I feel the need to commiserate. Thanks!
I had the kick-butt duodenal switch (DS)!
HW: 344 lbs CW: 150 lbs
Type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea GONE!
Renee
I My DS
SW/263 CW/136 GW/150
Minus 202 pounds; Height=5'10.5; Plastic Surgery = arms; Pant: 24 to 4/6; Top 3x to sm/med, I My DS! .
I had the kick-butt duodenal switch (DS)!
HW: 344 lbs CW: 150 lbs
Type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea GONE!
Minus 202 pounds; Height=5'10.5; Plastic Surgery = arms; Pant: 24 to 4/6; Top 3x to sm/med, I My DS! .
SW / GW / CW 5'10"
306 / 165 / 140
With the DS: there is no stoma, so no stoma strictures; there are no limitations (other than volume) against drinking before, during or after meals; 80% of ingested fat is malabsorbed; 98.9% of type II diabetics are CURED of this devastating disease, with data showing stable cure over 10 years out; there is the best average weight loss and most durable (average 76% excess weight loss going out 10 years) of all of the bariatric surgeries. That's why I had a DS!