ObesityHelp

MY STORY:
I am a 32 year old mother of 2 girls, 9 and 4. Unlike many on this site, I have not struggled with weight all my life. In fact, until I graduated high school, I was a pretty average size 11/12. Aside from morbid obesity, I am in pretty good health, not a high risk with pre existing conditions. After high school came the trouble. I became less active, went to work, and began eating at all the office parties. Then I had my first baby, put on weight, didn't take it off, became a stay at home mom, and started eating. Being busy with the kids, I became a drive-thru fast food junkie. The heavier I became, the more depressed I became. The more depressed I became, the heavier I became.....it was a nasty, vicious cycle. Low self esteem? What's that? I have NO self esteem. I'm constantly cranky, lazy, and enjoying my children? Never heard of that...I'm too wrapped up in my own misery. Of course during this entire time, I was trying diets to lose weight, and I was successful. Then I would stop the diet and gain back the weight I lost plus. It was time for me to take control of my life!!

I began researching this surgery 2 years ago. As I spoke with my girlfriend about it, she said...get out of here! I am already scheduled for my surgery. We bonded closely over this new found friendship. I began reading more and more about the surgery, including the risks and even deaths. Being a mother of 2 small children, I got scared and chickened out. My girlfriend went ahead with her surgery. A year later she looked so wonderful, and I was still so miserable I said, this is crazy, enough is enough, I'm going for it. I went to her surgeon, Dr. Herron in Manhattan (my comments about him are below) My husband, who was overweight his entire life decided to jump in on this and we began the journey together. It has been 1 very LONG and very crazy year! All the tests, all the Drs....some of my tests coming back with ulcers and H Pylori....having to re-test. I never thought I would get a surgery date, I was getting even more depressed. Finally at the beginning of the year we both got our surgery dates....he was March 5, 2003 and I am April 2, 2003!! You can keep up with his post op recovery and get pics at his page (Jim C, Ronkonkoma, NY)

Just receiving my surgery date, there was an instant weight lifted off my shoulders. And now, seeing what to expect through my husband's path, I am hardly nervous at all, I am looking forward to be reborn in a happier, healthier, more energetic life. Giving my children the mother they really deserve.

I have met SO MANY wonderful, supportive people on this site...God Bless Obesity.com!! PLEASE do not hesitate to email me with any questions, or even for some support. I would love to return just a little bit of what people have done for me here.

I will of course keep my page updated with my journey. April 2nd......here I come world!! I am going to handle you with pleasure, are you going to be able to handle the NEW ME????

MY WEIGHT LOSS JOURNEY:
APRIL 2, 2003: Day of Surgery! 283 pounds BMI: 45.7
MAY 1, 2003: 1 Month Post Op 260 pounds -23 BMI 42
JUNE, 4, 2003: 2 Months Post Op 243 pounds -40 BMI 39.2
JULY, 2, 2003: 3 Months Post Op 230 pounds -53 BMI 37.1
AUGUST 6, 2003: 4 Months Post Op 221 pounds -62 BMI 35.7
SEPTEMBER 3, 2003: 5 Months Post Op 209 pounds -74 BMI 33.7
OCTOBER 1, 2003: 6 Months Post Op 199 pounds -84 BMI 32.1
NOVEMBER 5, 2003: 7 Months Post Op 189 pounds -94 BMI 30.5
NOVEMBER 19, 2003: -100 pounds MADE THE CENTURY CLUB!!!
DECEMBER 3, 2003: 8 Months Post Op 181 pounds -102 BMI 29.2
JANUARY 2, 2004: 9 Months Post Op 173 pounds -110 BMI 27.9
FEBRUARY 4, 2004: 10 Months Post Op 165 pounds -118 BMI 26.6
MARCH 3, 2004: 11 Months Post Op 159 pounds -124 BMI 25.7
APRIL 2, 2004: 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY!!!! 154 pounds -129
BMI: 24.9 NORMAL RANGE!!!!!
MAY 5, 2004: 13 Months Post Op 150 pounds -133 BMI 24.2
OOPS BEEN TOO BUSY LIVING LIGHT, FORGOT TO POST JUNE!! GO ME!!
JULY 7, 2004: 15 Months Post Op 145 pounds -138 BMI 23.4
AUGUST 4, 2004: 16 Months Post Op 142 pounds -141 BMI 22.9
OCTOBER 2004: 18 Months Post Op 142 pounds -141 BMI 22.9 Pretty much maintaining now, and looking into the extensive plastic surgery I will be needing!!
DECEMBER 2004: 20 Months Post Op 131 -152 pounds!! Ringing in the New Year with a New, Happier, HEALTHIER ME!!
JANUARY 2005: 21 Months Post Op 131 -152 pounds! Maintaining and heading into the plastic surgery phase
APRIL 2, 2005: 2 YEAR ANNIVERSARY!! 129 POUNDS -154 POUNDS AND TOTALLY AT GOAL!!! BMI 20.8 (having problem with insurance/plastic surgeons - NOT Happy!! Honestly starting to hate myself as much now as when I was almost 300 pounds....I cannot stand looking at this sagging skin and now worrying about spring/summer clothes and how to "hide" it all)