ObesityHelp

5-20-02 APPROVED....FIRST TRY and ALL! My surgery is scheduled for August 15th. I am excited/scared/speechless. Joan sent my information in on Thursday the 16th and since I am the most impatient person, I phoned PHS today and they said I was approved. 5 minutes later, Joan called and we picked a date. Now, all I need to do is convince my mother and sister (who has never been FAT that this is a good idea).

5-31-02 Now we begin the waiting game! 76 days and counting. My mom is starting to come around. I think she is starting to see the light. I had a long chat with my sister. She is in nursing school, so, she understands a lot more than my mom! Mom is coming to the Lenox Hill Support Group on June 20th, so, I think this will help or seal the deal!

I guess I have always been "overweight" by the medical community standards. Although, growing up, I didn't feel that way b/c I was either playing softball, volleyball or riding my horse. I was into a lot of sports, so, I had a healthy athletic build. However, once I reached college, I started packing on the pounds and was not as active as I once was. I have yo-yoed with my weight for the past 10-15 years and have lost 50-60 Lbs several times only to gain that back and then some. 
  

When I first moved to Manhattan (NYC) in 1997, I dropped 60 Lbs immediately due to all the walking. However, since meeting my husband in 2000, I have gained all that back plus a little more. I am now 31 years old and fed up. I can't diet anymore only to gain back the weight. I also can't do it alone!
 

In January of this year, I tipped the scales at 301 (5'5) and I joined Jenny Craig again for the last time. I quickly dropped 20 Lbs and then dropped Jenny Craig due to boredom. I can thankfully say that I have not crept back up to 300 yet.  

Although, I have no medical problems and am relatively healthy (I walk a lot and live in a fourth floor walk-up), Diabetes does run in my family and my father has had triple bypass surgery. For me, the time is now. I want to start having children prior to age 35, so, I have made this decision. I am making a commitment to living longer, being happier, healthier and lighter. I miss being active. I miss volleyball, horseback riding (I grew up having a horse) and baseball. I also work in a male dominated profession, so the excess weight is hard. I am a wholesaler of mutual funds and annuities and I meet new people all the time and although I am smart, outgoing and funny, I am also FAT and FAT doesn't always make a good first impression.