Describe your behavioral and emotional battle with weight control before learning about bariatric surgery.
I was ALWAYS the largest person in my entire family. The poster child for overweight.."you keep eating you gonna be as big as Tricie" my grandpa would say...so spirit lifting:-(. The smallest I have ever been that I can remember was around 150 lbs in 4th grade, 9 years old. When you are overweight you negoiate friendships and relationships. Thinking back I dont think I ever had any real friends that I didn't bargin with them to play with me, hang out with me, or date/marry me. I HATED being fat. I was/am addicted to food and it was killing everything about me. To me I was so obese that I couldn't get around like most people. I didn't go anywhere or do anything. Home, work, and maybe my family house on special occasions. I had no style. I wore what fit...pretty much. I ate ALL the time. I am not going to lie about it. Because I suffer from insomnia I would eat from sun up to sun down and afterwards. Cereal at 4:30am, BLT at 6am, poptart at 7:30am(that would be breakfast)10:30ish grill cheese and pork-n-beans....you get the picture...it never stopped. I would talk to myself and say today is the day I get this under control...that would last about 2-3 hours tops....every once in a while I may go an entire day controlling my eating but I would make up for it the next day and then beat myself up for it. Alot of tears, alot of lonliness, alot of depression. I seen Carney Wilson on TV and she had WLS and I started my journey. It was a long journey. I was denied several times, loss insurance, and moved but FINALLY got approved 4 years after the journey begin
What was (is) the worst thing about being overweight?
Being invisible to the world. People walking pass you and not speaking, being in a meeting at work and no being acknowledge, letting the elevator door close on you, not holding the bus while looking you dead in the face. Making clothes just to cover you up instead of dressing you.
Just being totally disregarded as a human being. Being obese is still an acceptable prejudice...Sad but so true. Call me fat and its funny.....Call me the "N" word and its a hate crime. Go Figure
If you have had weight loss surgery already, what things do you most enjoy doing now that you weren't able to do before?
I had my surgery 01/17/2007. Weighing in at 378. My lowest weight was 165. 213 lbs GONE!!! I am now 199. Trying everyday...HARD...not to gain.
I enjoy EVERYTHING! I enjoy shopping for clothes, wearing 5-6 inch heels, dating, going out to dinner, being asked out on date, girls night, sports, working out, cooking, laughing, my bed(it doesn't cry when i get in it)same with my car seat. I love the anticipation of trying different things....never wanted to do anything other than eat before. I travel by plane just about everywhere. I roller skate, ice skate, bowl, fish, run, purchased and ride my bike(NEVER had a bike)I play with my little nieces and nephews(tag, it, football, volleyball, and soccer)balloon rides, live concerts(outdoors and inside)
I enjoy doing it ALL! Before WLS I was a walking dead. I cant believe how much of life was passing me by. TO ME....the good part is that I do alot of things by myself. No more negoiating or bargaining people to be with me. I enjoy the company of others. However, I don't wait for another person to accompany me or ask me to go with them if I want to do something. I call it dating myself. I get up, get dress, and do it.I actually plan it just like a date. It is wonderful. You don't have to consider anybody else but you. So if you are trying something new by yourself and decide this is not for you...you leave....you dont have to wait on anybody or anything...So I guess to answer the question..."what things do you most enjoy doing now that you weren't able to do before?" My answer is I enjoy loving me most now more than I ever did before...:-)))
Tricie 40
