pattyco
Surgery Date: 4/21/2014
Apr 19, 2014
My sleeve surgery date is 4/21/2014. I am 58 years old and have been overweight since I stopped smoking 24 years ago. My kids only have known me as 'fluffy' and we are all excited to see the changes. My doctor suggested I write out 50 things I want to do when I lose weight. At first, I couldn't think of 50 things and after a few days, ended up with 50+ items. I plan to keep adding to the list and also keep it close at hand for moments when I become discouraged. I also purchased the book "Buddhist Bootcamp" for additional inspiration and motivation for this process.
For years, I have said I would never have weight loss surgery - it just scared me too much. But oddly enough, I woke up last December and said 'enough' and decided to go for it. It was an epiphany for me and since then, I have gone full steam ahead on this journey. Part of the decision was because I have no comorbidity symptoms. No diabetes, blood pressure or heart problems, etc., and I simply didn't want to wait until I had issues. Since my decision, I am only regretful of one thing ... not having it sooner. I have good health insurance and was approved with the first request.
Food has been my friend for a long time ... and parting ways is going to be hard. I am looking at this as though my previous food was a 'bad' friend and I need to find a 'good' friend (healthy food). I work from home and as a result, tend to stay inside too much. At my current weight, I am self-conscious to go many places (like the gym) but as part of my goals, it is one of items on my 50+ list and I plan to go a minimum of 3 days per week without fail. And yes, therapy sessions are on my list too! One of my greatest challenges will be what to do with my hands. Having been a former nail biter (stopped when I started smoking), and a former smoker (stopped and ate everything), I am aware I need to do something with my hands to avoid the entry of bad food into my mouth. I have my drawing pads and pencils ready for sketching and I bought a personal laptop so I can type and post thoughts as needed. I anticipate taking up needlepoint and knitting once again and plant a lot of flowers now that spring is here.
Family and friend support is mixed. My three children overall, are very encouraging. I am hesitant to tell some friends and remote coworkers because I don't want to hear anything negative and frankly, many people think of this as 'giving up'. I have done extensive research and don't want to take on the burden to educate them. I have a reunion with former coworkers planned at the end of October. These individuals are like family but I am not telling any of them about this because I really want to surprise them. They have all been loving despite my weight and know how I have struggled with my weight over the years. I plan to use this reunion and my kids as continual motivation in addition to the other motivating pieces I am pulling together.
I am 5'1" and weigh 219 pounds pre surgery. My doctor told me my weight goal should be at 130# which is more than I weighed when I stopped smoking and really was over what I was hoping for. I failed to ask him if this was due to my age as I thought my goal would be about 110 - 115#.
Onward!!
