Brighthealthyfuture
From my earliest memories I was always overweight. I remember the worst thing about going to the doctor was not the possibility of getting a shot, but the reality that I would have to be weighed. I started weight watchers at the age of 14. I lost weight but just never made it to goal. Then of course the weight came back with interest. I went back to WW several times along with Physicians Weight Loss, South Beach, Atkins, Medifast, Deal a Meal, metabolix, Susan Powter, ect. I could lose but never sustain the habits or the weight loss. Each time I would regain and then some. My highest recorded weight was 360. I last lost 60 lbs on Medifast and gained back more than half. I would have repeated history if I hadn't started seeking approval for WLS.
For the past 6 years in particular I have seen my quality of life diminish as I lost my ability to be active. Before, even though I was always overweight, I was still outdoorsy and active, but I had become less mobile and my joints hurt. I tore my meniscus and started meds for osteo arthritis. How depressing. Morbid obesity is a vicious cycle of lose, gain more than you lost and move less than you could before, so you might as well eat a little more.
My surgeon spoke at a meeting I attended at work. That was when I learned that my insurance had started covering WLS! He showed videos of the laparoscopy and was very passionate about treating obesity. I went away from the meeting saying, no way that is for me. But a seed was planted. After attending a national professional conference and finding it difficult and exhausting just to move among the different speakers, I knew I had a choice to make. My wonderful husband was fully supportive though apprehensive. He made arrangements to attend the first information session with me in May 2012. He is very conservative but he was worried more for my health if I didn't have surgery. He told me to go for it. Not only that, as a show of support while I was jumping thru all the insurance hoops, he lost 30 lbs. In June I found out I needed a thyroidectomy due to cancer. I was scared, and frustrated but had surgery July 10th. When I got the all clear, I resumed my insurance protocol. It seemed to take for ever but I finally was schedule for RNY on December 4th.
The night before surgery I was so scared I nearly backed out. But thank God I didn't!
No surgery is fun, but I honestly thought the temporary mild discomfort was a small price to pay for a chance to be healthy using this precious tool! The worst part was the 6 week gtube. But it was tolerable, though stinky and gross.
Thank you, Jesus for giving me the opportunity, insurance, and support of my family. And the courage not to back out. I am extremely happy with renewed hope for a happy healthy life and a chance to be the wife and mom I want to be!