JenMarie
Wow, where to start? I was never overweight growing up! But of course I always wanted to be thinner. Looking back now, what was I thinking, I was thin. Guess no matter your weight, you always see your own flaws.
I didn't really have a weight problem until having children. My first child I gained 71 pounds with her. I had pre-eclampsia. I went from 130 to 201. I lost most of it, and settled at about 145-150. After having the other children, again I went up over 200 pounds and settled at a size 16/18. We moved to Alaska in January 1998 and my weight was 213. Fall that year I went and seen a doctor about WLS and was told I wasn't overweight enough. Over time, little by little, I gained more. I definitly wasn't as active up here in Alaska with small children. In October 2000, I weighed 242 pounds. I went to Alaska Premier Health, a weight loss clinic, not surgery, and was put on Phentermine pills, (an appetite suppressant) and Optifast. It helped. I lost 72 pounds in 4 months. I walked 30 minutes 5 days a week, watched what I ate (mainly lived off of shakes and healthy choice) I felt great! I went from a size 22 to a 12.
Again little by little I started gaining it back. I sprained my ankle in softball that summer and it went down from there. I got out of the walking routine, started to slack on healthy choices and wasn't motivated anymore. Its so hard to stay motivated.
And once again, I find myself heavy again. I had a membership at curves for a year, never used it. I had a membership at the Alaska Club for a year, never used it. I never made time for myself, with working full time, a husband who is military and 4 children, everyone else came first. I didn't have much time for myself.
In February of 2004 I was 261 pounds and donated my kidney to my father in law. I was worried my weight would be an issue but they said I was very lucky to be so healthy considering I was overweight.
I inquired that year about the WLS again and was told that I was too healthy and the benefits didn't outweigh the risks.
By January 2009, I was up to 290 pounds. My youngest son is 3 yrs old and it was hard to carry him around, it was hard to have him sit on my lap because there was no room, my stomach took up most of it. I had a hard time tieing my shoes without being outta breath. I was diagnosed in February 2009 with obstructive sleep apnea and my blood pressure was borderline. My doctor would tell me if I only lost some weight, that would all go away. Finally I asked again about the WLS, and she put in the referral for me to see Dr. Todd in Anchorage. I met with him in February, and things progressed from there. I had surgery April 6, 2009.
