socalrockabillygirl

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I got an email from OH this morning congratulating me on my 2 year anniversary.  I had totally forgotten!!  In the email, they asked for updates, stating that there is a need for more veterans of weight loss surgery to share about their journey so here we go...

I am not what I would call a typical wls story.  When I see the adds on tv, I still have a twinge of guilt that I didn't go from a size 24 to a 4.  For the first year, I felt ashamed of my lack of success and was constantly aware of my failure.  A "friend" told me she and her friend had considered wls until they saw my results and realized it was not worth it.  I was devastated.  It took me some time -- a a lot of therapy sessions -- to be able to say this: I HAVE SUCCEEDED.

I wear between a 10 and 14, depending on the brand.
My blood sugar levels are much more stable.  (Type 1, on an insulin pump)
I have more energy than I thought possible.
I fit comfortably into an airplane seat.
I am healthy enough to consider pregnancy.
I am more cheerful.

I have lost (and maintained) 100lbs.  I may not be the poster child for wls but I am my own poster child and I wouldn't change that for the world.  My advice to newbies -- don't let your psych eval be the last time you visit a therapist.  If there are underlying emotional issues relating to your obesity, they will not be "fixed" by surgery.  I have needed help on this journey to manage my issues and, while they are not gone, I am able to recognize and manage them before they get to a point where I feel the need to bury myself under layers of fat to hide. 

Please feel free to contact me -- I'd be happy to share more :)

Good Luck!!

My husband and I just got home from nine days in Europe.  Normally, Europe is a great weight loss locale for me with all the walking and smaller portions but this time we took a river cruise -- read lots of food and way less walking!  We got home yesterday afternoon and... I lost 3 more pounds.  I feel so great that there, in the face of decadent food and thrown way off my regular exercise routine, I still managed to make sensible choices and to lose.  This surgery is a great tool in my quest for health.
Hope everyone had a great holiday :)

I was thinking today, as I scrolled through some before and after pictures (my favorite part of the site!) that there are a lot of people who hated how they looked pre-op.  I am different.  I may in fact suffer from self-esteem that is too high :) Before WLS, I felt beautiful, knew I was smart and funny and good at my job.  I wonder if that is why I waited so long for the surgery?  Whatever it was, I am both glad I waited and glad I did it.  As the weight is coming off, I am feeling physically great and (finally!!) more energized.  The fabulous is just going to keep on growing!