ObesityHelp

Bust-48.5"
Waist-43"
Hips-51.5"
Rt. Thigh 28"
Rt. Bicep-16"

Date: May 24, 2007
12 Days Post Op

Bust-49"
Waist-46"
Hips-54"
Right Bicep-17"
Right Thigh-31"

Hey folks!  If you are interested in following my journey, I am keeping everything on another blog.  Here's the address:  tamiswiththeband.blogspot.com

I realize that once I "go public" with my decision to have surgery, people are going to have lots of questions.  I don't mind, because I really hope to raise awareness and dispel some myths about weight loss surgery.  Here are some of the questions I anticipate and my answers to them. 

Q:  All you have to do is eat sensibly and get more exercise and you'll lose weight...why don't you just go on a diet?  

A:  True...if one consumes less calories than one burns, one will lose weight.   That is a simple fact.    However, very, very few people ( < 5%) are actually able to do this successfully long term.  I have tried just about every diet there is with some short term success.  But, the weight never stays off.  I always end up putting the pounds back on and then some.  

Q:  Isn't it just a lack of self-control, will-power and commitment on my part?  

Maybe.  But, with a lot of help from the good Lord, I've climbed some pretty big mountains in other areas of my life and overcome other obstacles (like quitting a 10-year addiction to smoking)  that would have stopped a weak willed person dead in thier tracks.   So, I think there's probably a lot more to it than self control.  And, the latest research on weight loss confirms that there's a whole lot more involved in long term weight loss than simply eating less and moving more.

Q: Maybe you should go on "The Biggest Loser".

A:  Trust me, I seriously considered submitting an audition tape to try to be on the show.  But, then I did a little research on the winners from the first two season's shows...and guess what?  They've gained most/all of the weight back.

Q: You're a Christian.  If you had enough faith God would heal you of your obesity, right?

A:  I cannot tell you how often I have prayed that God would take this burden from me.  I believe that this surgery is His way of doing just that.  He has opened every door that had been previously closed in order for me to have this done, incuding my husband's workplace switching insurance companies to one that covers weight loss surgery.  Everything has just fallen into place in order for this surgery to happen.  

I belive that God wants me to be healthy and joyful and better equipped to serve and glorify Him with my life.  I see this surgery is a gift from my Father so that He can better accomplish His purpose in my life.