mrs_smith_canada
June 14, 2015
Well I figured I’ve been lurking here on Obesity Help for years, it may be time to write my story 
I was obese since childhood, with brief periods of “average”. Diet and exercise DID work, even though I did have PSOS, but I never kept up with the lifestyle changes when I made them. I was obese because I was lazy and because I was not conscious about what food I was fuelling my body with. I was unmotivated to live longer and healthier – period! This was no one’s fault but my own!!
In July 2011, (35 years old) I was in a change room with a morbidly obese friend of mine and we were trying on clothes (at Additional). She asked me to do her bra up for her and although it was the largest size in the store, it did not fit around her. I looked at MYSELF in the mirror and I said “hmmm you better not get that fat, I wonder how much you weight?”. I went home that afternoon and stepped on the “hidden” scale in the bathroom. It read 311 pounds!! I stepped on the scale over and over hoping it was a mistake.... But it wasn’t. I was also, morbidly obese at 5’6 and 311 pounds, and a size 22/44. No wonder my feet were so swollen and I had PVD because of my weight. It also explained why I had chronic reflux.
I cried the rest of the night and the following day I started researching surgical options. I considered my morbid obesity a medical emergency and I needed help and a solution right away. Although I qualified for OHIP; the wait was too long and I was determined to move forward as soon as possible and fix myself, even if that meant paying for everything out of pocket. I know woman that have botox, fillers, nose jobs etc – and spend thousands on their vanity. I knew I was investing in my good health, and although this was not a cosmetic procedure, this was a procedure that would help me become healthy for the rest of my life and it was my responsibility, as I had caused the problem.
I immediately cut my calories to 1400 a day (at north of 300 pounds I was eating more than 3000 calories a day to maintain my morbidly obese state). I bought an elliptical and set it up in my basement and committed to the task at hand. I tracked everything on livestrong – what I ate and my workouts (the first week was very hard because at over 300 pounds it was a lot of body to start to move, so it was 10 mins a day but within a couple of weeks I was up to 30 mins of cardio a daily).... I found a physician in Michigan who had experience dealing with Canadian cash pay patients (Dr. Pleatman who is great and I should write a review) and I began the process to have Gastric Bypass. My initial consultation appointment was August 2011.
I drove to Michigan for the weekend with my husband and in meeting with Dr. Pleatman. Who was really a no-nonsense medical professional and having indirectly been involved in the medical community for my entire career I appreciated his candid approach. I have proven I could lose weight on my and that Gastric Bypass would be an appropriate tool for long term success for me to keep the weight off.
My surgery was scheduled for Oct 5, 2011. Here is the progress;
July 2, 2011 THE AHHHH HAAAA MOMENT – YOU WEIGHT 311 POUNDS
October 5, 2011 DAY OF SURGERY DOWN TO 278.6... YES I LOST 34 POUNDS IN PRE-SURGERY MODE
July 30, 2012 GOAL WEIGHT 145
I maintained that goal weight of 145 until August 2014. Since then I have put on 15 pounds, through a variety of self destructive patterns, most notably transfer addition to alcohol. I am now 160 (it even hurts to put that in writing). And as of today I’ve been sober for 8 days.
I am finally writing my story down so that I can read it back to myself and see how far I’ve come, what I have sacrificed and why I will never allow myself to be out of control again.
I have the same kind of motivation I had almost 4 years ago - the day I stepped on the scale and weighed 311 pounds. My body may be smaller but my task is the same, to reach my goal weight and maintain long term.
My new tools for maintenance are;
And yes I have my flight and hotel booked for;
October 16th & 17th! Join us for the 2015 Obesity Help National Conference at the Embassy Suites Raleigh-Durham
April 20, 2016
Update - Have no idea how to change the ticker, but 143 and recovering from petersons hernia repair. Back to eating all liquid diet. Hopefully things get back to normal soon!
