eris
Hi, I'm Michelle. I'm newly 39 years old, mother of two daughters, and married to my wonderful husband for almost 15 years. I work at the hospital in the birth center, I'm either at the desk or at the c-section table handing the OB's their instruments....or rocking and feeding babies in the nursery, so yep...I love my job. I'm also a Medical Assistant, but decided on this position instead.
I've never been happy with my weight, although in highschool I guess I was rather close to fit...basketball, and growing up in a small town (Saugatuck) we walked everywhere. My major weight gain started once my husband slipped that diamond ring on my finger. I gained 20 lbs between my first fitting of my wedding dress, and my last.....so in tears, they had to assure me that if they altered the dress with darts, it'd fit. It did...but...ugh. I had two children within the next 5 years, and delt with depression on and off....some of it financial stress, and more unfortunately ..low self esteem (the fat cow in the mirror I saw daily told me so.)
I've tried diets galore, tried the phen-fen back in the early 90's..although fortunately enough for me, I could never remember to take the evening pill (thats the pill that was banned), so I didnt have to worry about heart valve problems. That dropped me about 30 lbs, but as soon as I stopped taking the phentermine, back came the weight...and then some. I'm actually back on phentermine now, just trying SOMETHING...ANYTHING, but its hard with my job...I just can't take it on days I know I'll work...I need a steady hand.
In 2004 I tried Atkins for about the 4th time, but this time...I followed it to the letter. I dropped almost 50 lbs......then gained 70 back, all within a year. I think I was majorly depressed when I started, so sticking to it didnt sting too much for awhile, but being newly poor at the time, I survived on eggs & tuna...it was a recipe for disaster, a 70 lb disaster.
Now at 245 lbs, I've been put on Lisinopril with HCTZ for highblood pressure, and a CPAP machine for sleep apnea. Two new conditions within the past year and a half. I did two sleep studies, with a AHI of 14.
I've been reading OH like mad, since I've found it. I've had WLS in the back of my mind for years...but I think I wasnt quite honest with myself...thinking I wasn't THAT big. Dear Lord..... 5'8, 245, HBP, Apnea, size 24, arthritis in my back (L4 & L5), past back surgery, heel spurs, and those icky boil things between my thighs. Not to mention, I have just about enough energy to do my job at work, and get my butt out of bed to take care of the house and kids, but thats it. I cant remember the last time I played with the kids outside, never mind taking them on a trip hiking or camping....all the things I did growing up with my parents. Yes, Michelle....lets think about this some more.
