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debim3's Blog
debim3's Blog


May 14, 2008 6 months down
on May 14, 2008 5:10 am
As of yesterday, I am 6 months post-op.  I am down 81lbs and currently weigh 144.  I am now no longer considered diabetic, I don't have sleep apnea anymore, I can walk, run up stairs, cross my legs, pass by brownies without eating any and not feel deprived.

Prior to surgery I wore size 24 pants and 3x shirts, now I wear size 8-10 pants and size medium shirts!  My highest weight was 265 (that I know of, when I saw that number I stopped weighing myself for maybe a year).

I still see the "fat" me in the mirror, but for some reason, when I pass a large window or something I do a double-take because I can't believe that tiny thing is ME!!!  I have bones!!  I also have lots of hanging skin, which I hate!

I'm outgoing, I laugh more, I show up to events late on occasion (never did before as I did not want everyone to look at the fat person walking in-hard to be invisible if you walk in late), I'm not invisible any longer, I flirt with men, I get flirted with, I smile almost all the time.  I am happy.  I am free.  I am doing things I've dreamed of doing.  I'm adventurous and am up to try new things all the time.

I don't really know who I am anymore.  Where was this person all these years?  Why did she waste her life waiting for weight loss, instead of just going out and having fun while still young enough?  I miss the old me sometimes, she was comfortable and she got to eat brownies and ice cream!  But I'm learning to LOVE the new me.  I'm learning that I am a valuable person.  I have friends and they actually want to be around me.  I have an opinion.  I have worth.  I'm not a waste of air.

Having this surgery saved my life, both physically and emotionally.  I have a life now rather than just existing.  I wish I had done it 10 years ago.  I would recommend it anyone and I would do it again!
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My Story

I have struggled with weight for as long as I can remember.  I've lost weight and gained it all back in half the time it took to lose it.  I decided to have the surgery in April 2007, although I had gone back and forth about it for years.  I was having health issues with diabetes, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, and depression.  I had the surgery on 11/13/07.  My highest weight that I know of (because I did stop weighing myself) was 265, I was at 226.5 when I was approved for the surgery.

I chose not to tell anyone at work what type of surgery I was having.  I had started losing weight before the surgery and had lost 23lbs as of the day of surgery, so no one has associated the surgery with the weight loss-they assumed it was a "female" issue and I've not discouraged that assumption, although I've not lied-just been very vague.  (My boss is extremely cruel with her words and I just didn't want her to find out and have more ammunition to use against me.)  All of my church friends and family know and have been supportive.

I've spent the last 7+ years in "hiding".  Embarrassed by my weight and size.  I've now lost 50lbs and feel WONDERFUL!!!!  I'm now feeling like it's time to get out and start living again - make some friends, hang out with people.  I no longer want to be alone all the time.  I look forward to being healthy and alive!