joyce2
Hit Onederland. Time to reflect...
Jan 24, 2009
OK, I'll give it up... I was always heavy, not obese, as a kid. I FELT like I was obese, as I compared myself to Twiggy-- the worst role model ever for self conscious teenage girls. I was horrified by my 36 B breasts-- wanted 34 A's. Now teenage girls are running out to get 36 D's! What a difference 40 years makes! When I graduated HS I went on a great diet-- with the help of pills with a Dr. Lost 30 lbs and at 135 looked fabulous. I can see that now, but at the time I compared myself to Carly Simon-- the bra-less gorgeous 1972 Carly Simon. Still no comparison so I wanted to weigh 121 and look like her. An improvement from the 107lb. Twiggy standard, but still impossible to attain.
Bounced around between 140- 155 until after my first child at age 30 when I leveled out at 160. Then came my second-- tougher to loose the 50+ lbs I had gained with her and leveled off at 175. Then we moved, I stayed home with the kids and really packed it on. Fast forward 21 years later and at 243 it was time to act.
I had considered WLS off and on since the Al Roker/ Carni Wilson period, but could not imagine giving up my favorite foods, the enjoyment of eating out with friends and feared Charlie Weiss type complications. Finally this past summer my two girls, my husband and I enjoyed a once in a lifetime (for us) vacation in Paris. The pictures of the girls and the sites (especially Monet's Giverney-- don't miss if you go to Paris) were fabulous. The pictures of me showed a sweating fat lady with huge arms, a triple chin and unattractive sleeveless tops. I was the picture of the French stereotype "Fat American." I had been to the Newton Wellesley WLS introductory meeting in May and booked an appointment to meet the surgeon in July. I was still very hesitant until I returned from Paris and looked at the photos. My mind was made up and I never looked back.
The surgery took place October 7, 2009 with Dr. Sheila Partridge. She is great. I had no complications. Tuesday AM surgery, home Thursday night. My sister (one of my 5 sisters!) came to stay with me for two days to make sure I continuously sipped my water and prepared my soft foods. She was wonderful, and I hope to do the same for her someday. I found the first month was a drag-- all pureed diet-- but was able to stick to it.
Now that I have said good bye to the 200's, I am straying a bit. I have been taking in about 1000 calories a day, and have sneaked in some jellies, some white wine on occasion. I am struggling to stay on track, but boy do I feel good! I wish I had had this surgery five years ago when I first thought about it, but I am appreciating my new look, and the compliments that are coming my way. I have shared only with my family and three close friends the fact of my WLS. I tell others who ask how I am loosing weight that I am protein first , working with a personal trainer and that I will share all my diet secrets when I reach my goal. All true and that seems to satisfy them for now, but I know it has opened the door for speculation. That's OK because I do intend to fully share when I get to 140. For now I don't want people analyzing what I eat and how I look. This is a small town and I am out a lot.
Anyway, I feel good. I bought some cute things at Chico's. I am selling my nicer dressy and professional plus size clothes on EBay to raise money for a shopping spree. I am giving my casual stuff to my sisters, all of whom are plus sizes. As I look at my wonderful mom, who at about 230 lbs has had two hips replaced and suffers from crippling arthritis in her feet, I hope that I can get through my 70's as an active lady who can take long walks and maybe even play doubles tennis. Is that a realistic dream for my old age? I hope so!
0 comments
Bounced around between 140- 155 until after my first child at age 30 when I leveled out at 160. Then came my second-- tougher to loose the 50+ lbs I had gained with her and leveled off at 175. Then we moved, I stayed home with the kids and really packed it on. Fast forward 21 years later and at 243 it was time to act.
I had considered WLS off and on since the Al Roker/ Carni Wilson period, but could not imagine giving up my favorite foods, the enjoyment of eating out with friends and feared Charlie Weiss type complications. Finally this past summer my two girls, my husband and I enjoyed a once in a lifetime (for us) vacation in Paris. The pictures of the girls and the sites (especially Monet's Giverney-- don't miss if you go to Paris) were fabulous. The pictures of me showed a sweating fat lady with huge arms, a triple chin and unattractive sleeveless tops. I was the picture of the French stereotype "Fat American." I had been to the Newton Wellesley WLS introductory meeting in May and booked an appointment to meet the surgeon in July. I was still very hesitant until I returned from Paris and looked at the photos. My mind was made up and I never looked back.
The surgery took place October 7, 2009 with Dr. Sheila Partridge. She is great. I had no complications. Tuesday AM surgery, home Thursday night. My sister (one of my 5 sisters!) came to stay with me for two days to make sure I continuously sipped my water and prepared my soft foods. She was wonderful, and I hope to do the same for her someday. I found the first month was a drag-- all pureed diet-- but was able to stick to it.
Now that I have said good bye to the 200's, I am straying a bit. I have been taking in about 1000 calories a day, and have sneaked in some jellies, some white wine on occasion. I am struggling to stay on track, but boy do I feel good! I wish I had had this surgery five years ago when I first thought about it, but I am appreciating my new look, and the compliments that are coming my way. I have shared only with my family and three close friends the fact of my WLS. I tell others who ask how I am loosing weight that I am protein first , working with a personal trainer and that I will share all my diet secrets when I reach my goal. All true and that seems to satisfy them for now, but I know it has opened the door for speculation. That's OK because I do intend to fully share when I get to 140. For now I don't want people analyzing what I eat and how I look. This is a small town and I am out a lot.
Anyway, I feel good. I bought some cute things at Chico's. I am selling my nicer dressy and professional plus size clothes on EBay to raise money for a shopping spree. I am giving my casual stuff to my sisters, all of whom are plus sizes. As I look at my wonderful mom, who at about 230 lbs has had two hips replaced and suffers from crippling arthritis in her feet, I hope that I can get through my 70's as an active lady who can take long walks and maybe even play doubles tennis. Is that a realistic dream for my old age? I hope so!
About Me
South Yarmouth, MA
Location
25.4
BMI
Surgery
10/07/2008
Surgery Date
Sep 18, 2008
Member Since
