My story for DM Register on Sunday

Morning all, Well it's a go the Des Moines Register will feature the story with pics starting on Sunday. They also will run daughter Katie's story I believe on Monday. They are running stories from Sunday-Thursday on WLS, childhood obesity (Katie's story) losing weight with WW, diets, exercise. Jennifer (reporter) was so positive with her interview with both of us. And she called several times to verify she had everything right. If you don't get the paper you can go online. They are also going to set up an email correspondence which the editor will pick & send to me, it's a Q&A & they also called yesterday for an audio stream concerning heart disease. I believe they are also doing an audio for co-morbids. Katie also interviewed with Obesity Magazine concerning childhood obesity. She wants to have WLS so bad but the dr & I have put her on hold for that. I believe she can lose weight on her own for her teen years like I did, but Don (dr) & I have already discussed the possibility she will have it eventually. Question for all of you....do you have a child that is obese & jealous of you now that you are losing weight? This is where Katie & I are at in our lives. It hurts me knowing she is jealous, don't get me wrong she is happy & proud of me but she's jealous of the attention that comes my way. Anyone else have an experience like this? I'm really excited that the DM Register is running all the stories & making WLS so positive. I get angry when people blame WLS for deaths as ANY surgery is dangerous! Yes, it is a dangerous surgery we are overweight which makes it even more dangerous. Ok, sorry won't even get started on that subject Everyone have a good weekend. Hugs Carolyn

This is so exciting, Carolyn, and I believe they did a very good job of picking you to participate. You're a wonderful ambassador for WLS. Too often we read articles or see it on TV that turns out to be all negative or in error. The truth needs to be put out there & people need to pay attention. I 'm afraid I can't help with the jealosy question. My kids are all grown & there isn't a ounce of fat on any of them. However, I can say that they are proud of what their Mom has done. I'll make a special trip into town to pick up the Register. I want to save it. Dixie

Hi Carolyn My mom had gastric bypass surgery almost 30 years ago, she died on the table, but the doctors were able to bring her back. She now has gained all her weight back and has a hernia a size of a football. I feel that she is jealous of me, because I have lost more than she did, and I'm keeping it off so far. I know she is jealous of me, because she and my dad always argue about me. I am going to buy the paper just to read your article. I can't wait to read it. Thanks for letting us know. Love Lisa Young

I have waitng to hear when it was going in....I have been looking forward to reading it.... Sherri

Carolyn; Congrats on making the news!!! I will have to get the paper!! I am dealing with the daughter thing too. My daughter is thirteen, and probably 20 lbs over her ideal weight. She is very self conscious about her weight. I now weight 1 or 2 lbs more than her, and can fit into her clothes, which I know bothers her. She's very worried that I will weigh less than her soon. ( I do want to lose 20 more lbs) I know I talk alot about losing weight, and wanting plastic surgery. I feel guilty because I don't want to give her the wrong message, and make her feel worse about herself . I don't want her obessing about her weight and having to look a certain way, yet I am doing that very thing! I would call myself determined rather than obsessed! I have told her that the reason I had surgery was because I was extremely overweight, and my health was suffering, and that she is NOT that heavy. I encourage her to eat healthier and exercise more , and that is as far as I go, talking about her weight. I feel guilty for possibly contributing to her unhappiness about her own body This summer I am going to ask her to go walking with me, and try to involve her in my exercise, and hopefully help her get into better shape without her knowing it , so she can feel better about herself!! It makes me feel guilty for my success, but darn it, I've worked hard to get to this point!! Any suggestions on how to handle this situation are welcome!!! DeeAnn R

I'm so excited about the story. I havn't told my family yet about wanting to have surgery. I have only told my 2 sisters. (I wanted to wait to be approved by my insurance). I live in Des Moines and my family always reads the paper. Maybe this will open up a converstion and I can see were they stand before I tell them. Thanks for letting us know when it is going to run!!

Carolyn, I don't live close enough to run out and buy the paper. Will you post the website when it comes out? About the daughter issue - I don't have one that is jealous of me, but my 8 year old has mentioned that she will probably have to have surgery when she gets older. That bothers me. We discuss how we can make those healthy lifestyle changes together now, without surgery, but she still has mamma's genes and some of the bad habits that I helped to create. I work on helping her to make better food choices (no junk in the house except on rare occasions) and getting more active. She jumped rope at the gym with her dad and I the other night and will be doing Jazzercise with me tonight. So, any thoughts on this issue are welcome as well. Thanks much and congrats on being a celeb!! God bless, Andrea