megawatt823
My story.....well, I wasn't a fat child! I just got fat in my mid 20's! Now, I am 40 years old and have been yo-yo dieting, working out, only to gain the weight back and more.
When I was a teenager, I was...more curvy. I was not fat, but was told I was. I look at pictures from that time in my life and I was NOT fat! I was slightly larger than some of my friends, but they were shorter and I had more bust!
I injured my back in 1994, when I was 24. I herniated L4 disc. I was in terrible pain and that was the end of my size 10/12 days. I remember being in so much pain, wanting it to end. I finally had back surgery Dec 24 1994 and had I known then what I know now, I would have never had the surgery.
I was very depressed after a car accident re-injured my back; I had done a series of epidural steroid injections that helped, but the accident in Sept 94 put me back in a place where I could barely walk. I went in for another injection and realized that more was going on with me. I sought treatment for depression. I started on depakote and packed on weight.
I was on depakote for 4 years. I ended that medication in 1998 and have not taken any since.
BUT The weight was not coming off like I would have liked.
I worked out, started Weight Watchers, and lost. However, added more back on once I stopped going to WW. I was also moving, getting better and better jobs. I still tried to be active and my back was not a problem.
As I got older, I noticed that I could lose the weight, but I could never maintain. I started on another exercise/phentermine kick and dropped 100 pounds! I was loving life and lookin' good!
I hurt my back again and went through another series of epidural steroid injections. And I started gaining.
And gaining. Now, I can't even wear clothes I wore 2 years ago. It's truly maddening.
I started on Depo Provera and packed on another 80 LBS or so. Fatty McButterpants!!
I knew that I had to do something.
I got married to my biker dude on my birthday in 2007 and still, I have gained since then.
I knew the time was now. I went to a seminar and made my appointment. My husband is totally behind me with this surgery.
I am in constant pain as my gut is HUGE! I hate that. I used to be an athlete. I have travelled all over Europe and walked London, Edinburgh, The Highlands of Scotland. Now, I can barely walk, without pain, to the end of my driveway.
I am waiting for my approval and I am excited for this new lease on life. I want to get the OLD ME back, the one who could walk blocks and blocks in any city and not be winded.
Now, I can barely walk around the Ren Fest without stopping every 15-20 steps. It is embarrassing.
As I type this, my file is processing through my insurance company.
I look on this as saving myself; from a lifetime of gaining more weight and not being able to walk, to live my life.
I want my life back and I want to NOT be in constant pain all the time.
I am excited and looking forward to my RNY!
