careuh
My name is Kara and I'm 26 years old. I was born and raised in Warren, Ohio. I have been overweight since about 6th grade and just kept packing on the pounds. Growing up overweight was definitely not easy, people are very cruel. In highschool, I was never even addressed by my name it was "hey fat girl" and I was pushed down the steps and constantly made fun of.
One of the things I've found extremely frustrating about being overweight is the lack of stores for me to shop at for clothing! Some of the stores that do carry plus size clothing are either overly expensive or have a lack of selection. Just because I'm overweight doesn't mean I want to dress like a grandma or wear "muumuus." Even shoe shopping is a pain in the butt because I have wide feet and I'm limited to wear I can find shoes, especially cute heels! Other things I find frustrating about being overweight: having to use seatbelt extenders on airplanes, not fitting on rollercoasters, being out of breath from walking up steps, being achy, tired, and in pain from carrying around all this excess weight, not fitting into chairs, feeling like you're constantly being gawked at and made fun of. Those are just a few things off the top of my head, I'm sure there are more!
I do have Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Panic Attacks so that is definitely going to make the weight loss surgery journey a bit rougher for me. Mostly because I'm a huge hypochondriac unfortunately.
I wanted to have weight loss surgery a couple of years ago when my dad did but I didn't have insurance at the time. I did attend all the seminars and meetings with him for his surgery though, so I have kind of been through the process and have an idea of what to expect. I was nervous for him when he was having surgery, but he hasn't had any complications thankfully and he is now half the man he used to be! ;)
I am meeting with my surgeon (who was also my dad's surgeon) Dr. Robert Woodruff Jr. on August 19, 2011. I'm really excited to begin my journey, but extremely nervous and worried as well. I know there are complications and risks but I am hoping I'll make it through and be able to live life to it's fullest potential! *UPDATE* I have gone through the whole pre-op screening process and have been APPROVED!! My surgery date is 11/7/2011!
I would love to meet new friends through ObesityHelp and hopefully we can support one another through our incredible journey! :) Thanks for reading!
About Me
Before & After
rollover to see after photo
