Sharon R.
My Story
Mar 31, 2011
Where do I start with this BLOG. My name is Sharon I am 39 years old, I am 5’9.5 my highest weight was 276; I currently weigh 272 BMI 39.6. I have always been taller and heavier than everyone but for the majority of my life I was a comfortable size 14 weighing between 200 -220. I served 7 years in the military after I graduated college and got out in 2003. In the beginning of my military career for a while I weighed 190 and was a size 12; I was so excited about that because of my height everyone assumed I was much smaller. The people in the military had no idea that the last time I weighted anywhere near that I was at 14 and 180 pounds. Prior to going to the military my highest weight was 226. During my time in service my weight remained between 200 and 220 heavier in the winter and closer to 200 in the summer. However, when I got out of the Army my weight kept going up a little more each year until I reached the jackpot I find myself in now. I completely stopped exercising when I got out. Two years ago I realized that things were getting out of control because I swear my skin started hurting so I told myself that even if I did not get any smaller that I would not get any bigger that size 18 from Lane Bryant was the largest I would allow myself get.For about a year I have noticed that I was not myself and that I actually had to make an effort to be the outgoing person that most people who deal with me are accustomed to. Never wanting to take pictures and not really enjoying myself on vacations and the worst becoming a home body. I decided something had to change so I began to research WLS and went to a seminar. After the seminar I was sure that I was going to do it, I was going to get the Lap Band. The idea of being having a device that would control how much I could eat for the rest of my life was better than great. I took the required nutritional classes and watched tons of videos on youtube; the six months required classes could not go by fast enough. I completed the class in December, did the Endoscopy and sleep study in January. Then came time for my paperwork to be submitted to GEHA (federal employee) and at the last minute I decided I wanted a fix that would yield me faster results without all the required visits to the doctors for adjustments and had the Doctors office change the procedure to VGS. I was so worried that I would not get approved that they would say I was not heavy enough that my BMI was not high enough. Although I was worried I still knew that I would have WLS even if that meant resubmitting to the insurance company for the Lap band; this is what I was told I would have to do if I was denied for the VGS. On February 16 just after 9 AM I received a call from my insurance company stating that I was approved for the VGS. I was so excited I had to tell someone but wouldn’t you know it none of my friends picked up their telephones when I called so I decided to tell my Director. I went to her office and said I got great news I told her I was approved then to my surprised the tears started rolling; she was so supportive she asked if she could give me a hug (I said yes). I felt so relieved, the idea of becoming more of me again was overwhelming and I cannot imagine what it will be like to weigh less than I did at age 14. I kept trying to reach my friends upon reaching them and giving them the news they were extermely supportive and excited for me. My best friend is going to take comp time from work to support me after the surgery; my family is in Florida and I am not married and have no children. After the initial burst of excitement I had a small let down I was told when I spoke with the surgical coordinator that the earliest I could scheduled surgery was May 3 (I said I’ll take it), but I wanted it done in March hell they could have done it the next day.
So I am waiting as patient as possible; I am on OH and sleeve talk from the time I get home in the evenings until I go to bed. I make notes of all the items people have said were helpful and I have purchased them. I have been trying various types of protein so that I can be prepared for when I take my place on the loser’s bench. So far I love Unjury.
I wish I knew someone in my area that was on the same journey that could mentor me thru the process. I try not to talk about it too much with my friends I don’t want them to get tired of hearing it. So what I do is I call different people and talk to each one about something different so that one person is not getting the brunt of all the things I have to say. Tomorrow April 1 I have a consultation with the surgeon I have so many questions most of them I got from the OH BLOGs. I am going to attend the support group meeting that my doctors office offers on April 7th perhaps I will meet someone there. If anyone out there is reading this blog and lives in the area please add me as a friend or reach out to me. If you don’t live in the area add me as a friend.
I get so excited when I read the updates, the varying experiences give me a lot to think about. I can hardly wait to begin my journey. I try to imagine myself down 100 pound and I can’t but its fun trying.
1 Comment
About Me
VA
Location
33.0
BMI
Surgery
05/03/2011
Surgery Date
Surgeon
Feb 26, 2011
Member Since
