Oct 24 , 2006 

I know this seems hard to believe but I never wrote my story - was it because I was shy, scared, worried what people would think?  I think it is a combination of everything but I have found out that by talking with my OH friends that I am able to acheive my goals and keep a positive attitude even when I am at my "worst".  So to share what others have shared with me - here is a short version of my story.

I have been heavy most of my life ( I am 44)  My family is all big and even though we have always been active, we all were overweight.  I had been on every diet that I can think of.  I finally found something that worked (or so I thought)  Diet pills - OMG they were a gift from above!  I lost almost 80 pounds and got to a decent weight. But then the worst happened,   I lost my partner to cancer and then 6 months later, lost my Mom.  The two people that I loved the most left me.... I was so alone.  All my friends stayed by my side however by doing so,  all we did was go out to eat.  We met for dinner, for lunch and breakfast or brunch on the weekends.  They tried to keep my spirits up and by doing so help me get my weight up.  Before I knew it I was at 300 lbs.  And even though I knew I should care - I really did'nt.  I was just floating through life and it was not a pleasant time. Fog is the only thing that comes to mind.   For some unknown reason that I can't explain, I was surfing the net and came up with a story about a lady who had the RNY and how it changed her life.  I don't know how the site popped up - I think I was shopping at Lane Bryant on line..... I read her story, felt her pain and understood where she was.  Then I read further and saw that her life had change - a 360 degree change ( her beginning weight was 360).  She was now at 150 and she had a life. She was happy and enjoying what she was suppose to enjoy (not only food).  So I decided to check into it.  I did everything without telling my family until the date had been set.  My family was reluctant at first but understood that I needed something to get me out of the fog that I was in.  So I had the surgery on May 24, 2004.  I weighed 340 lbs.  It is now Oct 24, 2006 and I weigh 160.   I am at goal and have been for a while.  It is a constant struggle.  Food is still my friend and sometimes my enemy.  I work out and love it!  I still see the "girl" in the mirror but that is okay..... I liked her even when she was at 340 lbs.   She was lost and now she has been found.   I am having a LBL and BA/BL in Feb 07.  I am self paying and it is not cheap but I think I deserve this - I deserve to be at peace with this. 

Will food always be an obession?  Yes - I know me.  I have an addicting personality so I have to watch everything I do.  And like a drug or alcohol addict, I will have to take it one step at a time for the rest of my life.  But that is okay - as long as I am happy, healthy and can get to a scale to monitor I am okay!!! 

I can't say enough about my friends on the OH Texas Board - they have been a constant source of encouragement, laughter and friendship.  A bond or brother(sister)hood that keeps us together and whole.  It sounds wierd that people who would never know each other have become friends.  Friendship because  of our love for Ding Dongs, Oreos, M&Ms, Ben and Jerry's and Mexican food finally made us realize that there is something more for us - a healthy lifestyle. 

If there is anything that I can do for anyone who read this - please feel free to email me.  I can only hope that I can give you the support and friendship that I have gotten. 

Forever grateful of this gift.

Valerie