pattij013
I am so bad at this, so that is why it has taken me 8 months to add my story. I just turned 40 November 06. I am a single mom and have a daughter named Kayla.
I was thin as a child and teen up till the time I became pregnant with Kayla in 1997 when I was 20 . I went from 180 lbs and 6 ft 2 in and have just, due to depression and food addiction, became a 329 lb 39 year old.
I made a decision to get gastric-bypass surgery. years ago I had worked for Dr. Bour while I was training for a job at IMA of Greenville and had heard he was one of the best in town.
I went to a welcome meeting in the Fall of 2005 and brought my mother with me, since she would be the one I needed most to get onboard with me. My family was not behind this at all. So we went to the meeting and then nothing. I kept thinking about it but really no one was really behind me, so I quietly saved money and in Feb 2006 paid my 2,500 and started the process.
I did the gambit of tests (where I first met Melonie at the psych test and Jen at the EGD)and meetings and classes and all of that and my surgery was scheduled for 6/19/06. I had heard about this website and less then a week before my surgery went by myself to a support group meeting the Upstate Ladies had at Jason's Deli. The people who most stood out in my mind were the following. I first met Sherrie as she was wandering outside trying to figure out where to go and how to meet the group. I then met Tonya, Melissa, Kathy, Phyllis and I believe Dawn was there too, just to name a few, there were some other great ladies there, but these ladies were at my end of the table. I felt so welcomed and they let me ask anything, I wanted to and all answered me honestly. I believe that was a Thursday and I had my surgery that following Monday and some of there ladies came to see me at the hospital, I could not believe it. I felt like I had sisters already and had no idea then how much more they would all mean to me. Jen had her sugery the day after me and she is my surgery sister. I had a very hard time waiting for the leak test, had a panic attack and they gave me a shot but I think that helped me not be so obsessed with the soreness and the sound of the booties . When Tonya saw me that night she made me feel so good because she said she had never seen anyone look that good night of surgery before. Then the next day Jen outdid me because she rocked!!!
It was not too bad when I got home, I only took 1 pain pill and slept a good bit. The head hunger was hard and the drain was a pain but all liveable and worth it. I had to go back to work 14 days after surgery because my short term disability was denied. Most everyone at work was very supportive and had a lot of questions and I did the best I could with all of that. Relearning how and what to eat has been my biggest struggle but do the best I can.
I started getting a lot of attention from friends and family and work and did not know how to handle compliments. I always countered with a negative. It has taken me mothes to learn how to just say thank you and let it be. I struggle with that every day.
I have met some really great people thru Dr. Bours support group or our upstate meetings. Just to give props to you guys, list is not all inclusive but I have to give you guys a shout out:
Thank you...
Sherrie, Jen, Rachael, Kathy, Melissa, Dawn, Pam, Dianne, Michelle, Tonya(we miss you), Melonie, Ken , Herb and Brian.
At Dr. Bour's office:
Dr. Bour, Katie, Chris, Michelle, Carmen , Lacy, Chef Ed and Dr. Russell.
I have lost in 7 1/2 months 110 pounds. I have gone from a 30/32 to around 20ish. I have 50 pounds more to goal. I have more confidence and want to go out in the world again. I do not feel skinny by any stretch of the imagination, but I do not feel like the big fat girl walking into the room. I think soon I may be ready again for dating, but definately want to go out and do things again, start Patti's life part 2. I am going on my first cruise in May and am looking foward to that a lot.
The best think I am doing that does help me sometimes with my own perception of me is taking a picture once a month so I can see my progression in photos. It is very hard for me to see the new me in the mirror, I still see fat Patti, but I am working on that.
That is all I can do for 1 night, I a looking into plastic surgery, I would like to have a breast lift and reduction, and lower body lift, so I am going to a plastic surgeon next week to see what I have to prepare for insurance and money and time wise. I am also watching Deborah S progress in Mexico to keel my options open.
Well, I have been denied 2 times already for my plastics so I will wait a while and see what I can come up with, I am hoping for rashes.
I finally reached onederland last week, I am at 197 pounds and have 17 more to reach my goal weight.
Patti
