hollyrains
Hi Everyone!!!
Like most of the stories I have read, I too have had a weight problem the most of my life. At one time in my life I could honestly say I was thin and that was in 1996!!! This is when I was 21yrs old and I weighed 139lbs. I was very active, I played tennis in college and I went line dancing with my friend almost every night and with the help of Phen-Fen I dropped 90lbs in 8 months. Then with my parents divorcing and having to get a full time job, I didn't have time to dance anymore or play tennis and my scale showed it.
By May 1997, I had gain weight and was up to 170lbs. This is when I met my husband. Since meeting my husband 12yrs ago (we have been married going on 9 years on 8/5/2009), the both of us have gain a lot of weight!!! My husband, being a former United States Marine, became very upset when he could fit into his "Blues" uniform any more when he was trying on to show my little brother. I remember someone once told me that it was normal to gain a little weight after marriage and that it was a sign of happiness and good cooking. Well, let me tell you all. . . we must be over come with joy and busting at the seems!!!! On my wedding day my weight was around 250lbs and today I am 323lbs. I started to beat myself up for being so over weight and my husband still tells me I am beautiful today as the day we met and not be so hard on myself for gaining a few pounds. I told him "Honey, it's not just a few pounds and thanks for being nice" but I need to do something about it!!!
What made me decide into looking at WLS, was that I had tried everything on the market for weight loss and with no success. From diet pills, to working out, buying pre-package food, and buy diet programs that I saw on TV at 3 o'clock in morning when I couldn't sleep. I currently have arthritis in my left ankle and both knees, 3 herniated disks in my lower back, IBS, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, border line hypertension. Finally I had enough. I saw my doctor and she signed me up for the Options Program through Kaiser Permanente which I started on 9/22/06 and completed on 3/24/2007. I had been approved for surgery in 8/2007 but due to accepting a promotion at work and some medical issues that my husband is currently going through, I kept putting off surgery. On 5/04/09 I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. This was the straw that finally broke the camels back. I called to see if I was still approved for my surgery and now I have been scheduled for 6/30/09 at 7:00am. My surgeon is Dr. David Suh with Crown Bariatric Group. I am so very excited, anxious, nervous, and scared as heck at the same time.
One of my goals after WLS is to be able to sit in the same bobsled on the Matterhorn ride at Disneyland with my hubby and not have to worry if we fit alright.
Thanks for reading my story and will keep you posted on my progress.
I wish you all the BEST!!! Take care and God Bless!!!
-Stephanie Chavez - Riverside, CA.
