sheryld59
Hello there everyone. My name is Sheryl and I am having lap band surgery 8 days before my 50th birthday. I cannot believe that after half a century on this earth I am still a prisoner in my own body. Hopefully, this surgery will be the springboard that will help me get myself in control so I can live my next 50 years more healthy and free! I am scared, of course, and also angry with myself that I am still at this point; in fact, I am the heaviest I've ever been in my life.
I come from a family where everyone is obese; my first diet was probably at about 9 years old. I was a fat kid, fat teen, fat young woman...never a happy place to be, that's for sure. I always had varying degrees of success when I dieted, with my "greatest achievement" being losing over 200 lbs. on Jenny Craig about 15 years ago. It was surreal...I remember looking at my jeans when I took them out of the dryer and not believing that they fit ME! The weight came off very fast, I spent a LOT of money, and many of my friends told me I looked sick. So paradoxical! I was within 10 pounds of goal and my mother became gravely ill. The excuse to eat was back with a vengeance, and all the weight, plus more, came back at warp speed.
So as I grew more and more out of control food-wise, I reluctantly starting thinking about WLS. I used to think I was strong enough to do it "on my own" and I would never resort to being "physically altered" to help myself lose weight. I can do this on my own, I though. But obviously, after all these years, I was not strong enough. And with this surgery, I know it is still totally up to me to have the discipline to succeed. I know it will be difficult and life will change dramatically for me. But nothing is more difficult than the way I have to live my life now.
I'm reading this and am thinking WOW this sounds so serious! Very large body aside, I am actually a very happy person. I have love in my life, wonderful friends and family, furkids I adore, and do many things I enjoy. But being this big, I have to live a "modified" life, and I am damn sick of it. It's hard to admit this, but it is absolutely the truth. You out there know what I'm talking about!
I would love to have your support and share your insights and ups and downs with you! Thanks for reading my story!
