GrammyTee
I really don't know how to tell this story except that for as long as I can remember in my life I have been overweight. I have been on every diet that I can think of. I have lost weight on all of them that is not the problem. I just don't have the will power to keep if off.
I don't like the feel of being hungry. In 2005 I reached a point when I decided that I was going to do something to change my life so I researched and decided that the band was the thing for me. I made all the arrangements and at that time I informed my husband of my decision. I did not tell my children or anyone else. I told him you are welcome to come or not but I had made my decision and I was going to stick to it. That include the financing and all. He decided he should go with me and if anything happened he would try and explain to my children of my decision.
So I flew to Mexico and had it done. The deal was that if when we got their and we did not feel comfortable about the place then we would leave and I would do something else. Well as it goes to hospital was very clean and run by nuns and I really felt comfortable. I had the surgery and returned to work in about three days. I lost close to 100 lbs and never felt better.
I was actually able to wear out my clothes. Never had that happen before since I was on a up and down life roller coaster. As most overweight folks are aware of.
I was happy and content but I am not going to lie to anyone. The band and the adjustments had it's issues. I would go for a fill and then maybe a month down the road I could not even get water to stay down so I would have to go and have the fluid taken out and then pay to have it put back in again it was up and down but I did manage to stay in the same size clothes. About a year ago I started having reflux issues and the doctor said that I should have all the fluid removed and see if that would help. Well it didn't and I was determined that I would not have the band removed. I fought it for a year and then when it got so bad that I was sleeping in a chair more that I was sleeping in my bed I started the research process again.
This time I talked to my husband and we decided because of the issues going on in Mexico that he wanted me to have it done in the United States. I agreed and then fould a doctor in my area that has been doing this process for quiet awhile.
I went to see him and we agreed to remove the band and do the sleeve. I was hoping to have it all done at once but that did not happen. He said that when he removed the band that it did not open up like it should have and I would need to heal and then we would do it after I healed up.
Well as you know with no control and nothing to tell you that you are not hungry I have been gaining weight. I have tried to really eat a lot healthier and exercise while this process is going on. SO again I am looking forward to starting with this new process. I do not like myself at this weight. The clothes don't fit. I feel swollen and I seem to get depressed when my weight is up. So I just have to hang on a couple of weeks and then I can began my life again.
I talked with the doctor and explained that I hope and pray this is the last time that I have to have anything done like this. It gets expensive since I had to pay cash since my insurance does not cover weight surgery. But I guess in the long run it is going to be worth it. I know that I will be like everyone else and question have I really done the right thing to my body. My mind tells me yes when the doubts start but the confidence over rules that and I know deep down it is the right thing for me.
Someone once told me that if you stand in front of a mirror naked and like what you see then you are OK. I am not at that point yet but hope to be very soon. I will join a local support group and also use this website to help keep me aware of things that folks in the same situation are going thru. I hope to be of help to others as well as if I need help I hope to find the support that I need. I will post and try and keep up with the process and progress.
