Jeanine G.
2 1/2 years ago, when I attended an informational session on gastric bypass surgery (GBS), I weighed an astounding 265 lbs on a 5' 1" frame. I had gained and lost the same 150 lbs 4 times over the course of about 15 years, and it was taking its toll on my body. I was barely able to put weight on my feet when I got out of bed in the morning and my knees, hips and back were racked with pain. I had resigned myself to the fact that I would be fat forever and had given up dieting entirely.
My husband and I went to New York City just before Christmas with a few friends. Just before New Year's Eve, one of my friends emailed me some pictures that she had taken on our trip and I nearly fell out of my chair. I usually hid behind other people or covered my face when anyone tried to take a picture of me, but we were having so much fun that I didn’t pay much attention so the photos really shocked me. I vowed then that I would do whatever it took to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. So I registered for the first GBS session of the year, and signed up that night to start the 6-month program leading to the surgery. I thought that my weight control nightmare would be over…but I was wrong.
Now, two years after my surgery, I have reached my goals but I continue to work every day to stay healthy. Arguably, I have hit some major roadblocks, including a small bowel obstruction, an episode of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) withdrawal psychosis, and an unplanned pregnancy. I have a burning need to share my story, if only for my own healing sake, but I hope that along the way some of you will read this blog and take away something for yourself. Maybe you can learn from some of my experiences (and the many mistakes I've made) or perhaps you can share similar experiences and further your own healing.
My goal is to create weekly entries chronicling my life’s journey as a fat child, teenager, and woman in America and my diet failures over the years that finally led me to surgery as a last resort. I will also track my current progress as I struggle to regain control of my weight loss with the gastric bypass tool in my arsenal. I hope that you will share your own experiences and that we can engage in lively exchanges and help each other along. This blog is the manifestation of a dream I have had since before my surgery to share my tale as a novel. Who knows, someday I might be able to publish it because anything is possible for an American Fat Girl!
About Me
Before & After
rollover to see after photo
