1queenbee3
I've been overweight my entire life. All of my sisters and brothers were not overweight. I couldn't stand it. I was short and fat (what a terrible combination in my eyes). My family was always supportive and told me how beautiful I was, but I never really felt beautiful until college (this when guys started taking a notice in me--I was introduced to my husband in college) 
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I've tried all kinds of diets and I've worked out. I reached an all time high of 282 lbs. (I'm sure it was higher, because I found out my scale was off about 14 lbs.) when my third and last child was 1 yrs. old. I saw a picture of myself and I could not believe how fat I was. I knew I was overweight, but I didn't know how bloated I looked. My husband helped me joined a gym for women and I lost about fifty pounds doing Body for Life by Bill Phillips. I gained and lost about 20 lbs. of that weight loss for about 9 years. I was always glad I never gained all the weight back, but I was still not satisfied, because I didn't lose the rest of the weight. During that 9 years I heard about the lap band on TV. I called and got the packet and I was excited about it. I called the number in the packet and found out the Dr. that did the surgery in my area didn't take my insurance. I was so disappointed. I didn't know enough back then to check out other surgeons. I just figured I'd try to lose weight again.
In January of 2009, I found out a friend of mine had VSG. I got all the information from her about the surgery and her surgeon. I had my first appointment in Feb. I was disappointed to find out my BMI was too low for the VSG (my insurance wouldn't cover it), so I had to make a choice. After a lot of prayer and research, I finally decided to have the lap band surgery. After I made the decision, I felt completely at peace (I knew this had to be the Lord's plan for me). I went through the 6 months of pre-surgery testing without a problem and I had surgery on August 10th.
Only a few people know I have had surgery. This surgery was about me and no one else. I've spent my life taking care of everyone, but myself. I couldn't be distracted by people who didn't support me. This was such a good decision for me. When people ask me what I'm doing, I tell them I'm exercising like crazy (very true) and I've decreased my portions (also true). If I didn't work so hard I never would have lost the weight I've lost. I'm so grateful to God for this journey I'm on. It's been difficult, but it is worth it. I know everything I've gone through is going to help me be there for someone else in the future.
