CeeDee73
OK, so I'm finally taking the plunge and actually setting up my profile. I didn't realize that so many people read the profiles for inspiration.
I won't go too far back in the past, because I didn't have too many problems in relation to weight. When I graduated from high school, I was at the high end of my goal range. I had my first child at age 21. She was a preemie, so I didn't gain too much weight, fortunately. But, unfortunately, I gained after she was born. I wasn't sick anymore and it was SOOO nice to be able to eat! Boy, did I eat! I can't tell you how much weight I packed on. My next problem was that evil depro provera BC shot. It made my body feel like it was pregnant. I had some serious cravings, and I entertained them all. If I wanted it, I ate it. In '99 I got pregnant again. Again, more weight gain.
Fast forward to 2006. I start having problems with one of my feet being swolen. I go to the doctor, he orders a MRI. Come to find out, due to my weight, I'm suffering from some degenerative problems. My doctor says he thinks I would be a candidate for WLS. I had never really thought about it, but I figure if he thinks I would be, maybe I would. It also helped that he didn't make me feel that ALL my problems were weight related. I've had doctors basically tell me, "Well, if you weren't overweight..." So, in June I started the process of having WLS. By August 2006, I was approved and ready to go. I had my surgery on August 21, 2006. All went well until August 29, 2006. I wound up back in the hospital with a blood clot in my lung. That sucked, and continued to do so for another six months. I had to go to the clinic almost every week to have my finger poked to test my Coumadin levels.
Next hurdle...a stricture in October. It was just a little hurdle and easily corrected. I have felt so much better ever since.
My beginning weight was 311 on 8/21/06. I am currently weighing in at 199.6. 112lbs gone forever and feeling fine. Clothes fit, I walk with my head held higher. I've gotten my confidence back in addition to my health. I have less problems with my foot being swollen. My feet don't hurt when I get out of bed in the morning. Neither does my back. Life is good, and only getting better!
**UPDATE 4/1/08**I'm at goal and have been for months! Just working on maintaining now.