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  • Name: Addie D.
  • Username: addiedean
  • Location: Suwanee, GA, USA
  • Member Since: 9/13/2006
  • BMI: 57.6
  • Surgery date scheduled
  • Surgery Type: VSG (12/21/12)
  • Surgeon: Titus Duncan
Before & After

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Goals

Drive My Car Without My Belly Touching The Steering Wheel

5 People
 in progress, 
17 People
 achieved this

Get a surgery date

192 People
 in progress, 
550 People
 achieved this

Get my WLS approval!

13 People
 in progress, 
15 People
 achieved this

Fly on my next vacation without having to buy two tickets.

2 People
 in progress, 
1 Person
 achieved this

Loose 50% of my body weight!

4 People
 in progress, 
1 Person
 achieved this
View Other Goals
Member Interests

Latest Surgery Support Comments

  • Comment by kikidom on 12/21/12 8:47 pm
    Good luck with surgery! you are doing a great thing for yourself!
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 Breathe, Reflect, Choose, Lose.       

Addie's Blog
Addie's Blog


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My Story

I have struggled with being overweight all of my life.  My mom said I was even born with a little cellulite.  I grew up in south Louisiana where everything is deep fried...hell you can even get a order of deep fried batter at some restaurants.  I was always surrounded by food as that is a main part of our Cajun culture. Anything is a reason to eat.  Make the honor roll, we eat. Win a football game, we eat. Get married, we eat . Someone dies, we eat. Hurricane comes, we eat.  You get the idea... 

In school, I was always the “funny girl with the pretty face” but never the “girlfriend’ type... and I was fine with that. Why would I even try to pursue a guy just to get rejected? So instead, I was friends with everyone. I was pretty popular, but never felt like I really fit in. Of course, I had no dates and didn't go to prom...so I made good grades and got a full paid scholarship to Nicholls State University. 

While in college I met my first boyfriend. He ended up being a complete loser.  High school dropout, unemployed, no car, lived with grandma... what was I thinking!!!!   He also became extremely abusive, both physically and verbally.  Of course I thought...I am fat girl, this is the only guy I can get.  I hoped he would change...NOT.  Then as the relationship got worse, so did my self esteem, and I got fatter...becoming obese.  Eventually, I was strong enough to leave the abusive relationship.  Shortly after, I moved to the Atlanta area for a fresh start in 2001.

Moving was the best thing I ever did as it was in Atlanta that I met my soul mate about a decade ago.  He loves me unconditionally. He wants me to be happy AND healthy no matter what I weigh.  Our love grows more every day and we do plan to eventually get married. He is truly my best friend. 

Over the years, I have healed my mind and self esteem but the weight has stayed.  In the past 10 years, I have been diagnosed with clinical depression and anxiety as well as other co-morbid conditions. I have severe sleep apnea and hypothyroidism. My thyroid became grossly enlarged to the size of approximately 2.5 x 6 inches. It was wrapping around my windpipe and was literally smothering me. I had to have it completely removed. Since then, my battle with weight has gotten worse.  No thyroid means no metabolism and I have gained an additional 150 lbs. over the 2 years it took to get my medicine to the right levels. I am now in the super morbid obese category (YAY!) and very concerned about developing diabetes or heart conditions as both run in my family.

Don't get me wrong, I have TRIED to lose weight many times. I have taken Redux. I have taken Meridia. I have taken herbal diet supplements. I joined Weight Watchers for a year. I tried Richard Simmons. I tried body cleanses.  I tried acupuncture.  I have TRIED EVERYTHING! The most I could ever lose was around 50 lbs., but I would always gain it back plus more. I am overwhelmed and TIRED of my weight controlling my life! The embarrassment from not being physically able to go on a walk, or on a date with my boyfriend, or go out with friends, or go to a movie in a theater is all encompassing. I use to enjoy shopping, but loathe it now.  I could never walk into the mall from the parking lot without needing a break much less walk thru the mall. I hate needing a cart to lean on just so I can make it thru the store. I often just sit in the car while my boyfriend runs inside places. Even my office had to special order a chair to accommodate me.  Everyday I have constant pain in my knees, back and ankles.

As much as this affects me, I know my weight affects those I love too...even if they won’t admit it. They’re worried I will die young. They also feel my embarrassments. I want to lift those burdens from them. I want to be able to live life to the fullest. I want to be able to do normal things without pain or losing breath. I want to be able to travel and fit in the plane seat. I want to be able to see my nieces and nephews grow up. I want to be able to ride a roller coaster.  I want to enjoy riding a bike again.  I want to be able to stand throughout my entire wedding ceremony.  I want to be a true partner to my future husband. I want to experience life with him not watch him live it.  I don’t want knee replacements. I don’t want diabetes. I don’t want a heart-attack.  I need to regain control over my life and I am ready to change NOW!