Italian-Princess
I've been overweight my entire life. First diet was directed by a doctor when I was 7, and then was monitored at home by mother. Food was love -- if you behaved, you got food.......if you didn't behave, food was withheld. Had to belong to the "Clean Plate Club" and then would get scolded for eating too much! Talk about mixed messages! Through junior high, high school, and college, stayed about 35-40 pounds overweight. Lost a bunch as I started my career. Got married and things went south -- gained weight, had a couple of children, gained weight, found I was not in the best situation that I'd dreamed of, gained weight, and gained weight BECAUSE I gained weight.
Thought about WLS for many years, but insurance wouldn't cover it.............learned last year that it would.............
Shortened version of the rest of the story: 4 years ago, diagnosed with Type II Diabetes, 3 years ago diagnosed with Stage III Chronic Kidney Disease (NOT Diabetes related -- senile kidneys -- aging faster than normal) and umbilical hernia was getting worse. There for a while, things were looking really bad -- time frame with kidneys problems showed I might not make it to my current age (65 on July 28th). I got angry, started researching, changed some food intake and the kidney function numbers started to improve a little at a time. Jump to May 31 of this year, saw my surgeon about hernia repair.........saw info about WLS in his office -- asked about it, went for a consult on June 4. All info sent to insurance on June 11, received approval June 22, surgery June 28. I left the hospital off my cholesterol meds, and Type II meds. My Type II is in complete and total remission. My kidney function numbers improved such that I'm no longer in Stage III, but in Stage II -- a huge improvement!
I had an easy recovery -- did it all on my own as I have NO help, support ,or encouragement from the husband. In a way, I'm glad I had to fend for myself.....I think that forces a person to get better faster!
Tomorrow is my 3 month surgiversary . Today at my 3 month post-op check-up: down 46 pounds and 41 inches.
The rest of my story will unfold as it is meant to. But I'm going to give myself the best chance of being successful by staying on plan, exercising, and fighting any cravings as if my life depends on it. You know why? Because MY LIFE DEPENDS ON IT!
