charlene1

Send Message

Block

Add Friend

I'm a little behind in posting this, but April 19th was my one month countdown to surgery.  My pre-surgery diet is suppose to start May 4th with no more than 60 carbs per day and 24 hours before only clear liquids.  Well, I decided April 19 would be a good day to start.  My husband is being so supportive and is counting his carbs as well.  He doesn't have nearly the weight to loss as I, but he says my having surgery is only going to help him.  He measured me, took my 1 month before surgery photos, which will be posted on here sometime.  I weighed which just broke my heart to know I'm at my heaviest ever.

It's one week later and I'm so happy to say I managed to loose 6 lbs on my 60 carbs per day.  I'm also happy to say my husband lost the same.  This weekend was beautiful in Wilmington and I wanted to work in the yard so bad but my back has been hurting, so hubby did all the hard work, weeding, digging holes for my plants and being a real trooper about it.  He hates gardening, but does it because he knows how much I love it.  Who could ask for anyone any better to be married to. 

More later......

My last post stated I went to my first support group.  Well, time flies and I've found things can happen fairly quick.  Since that first support group meeting, I've seen my surgeon, Dr. Harris and his PA.  Been to 2 nutrition classes, 2 more support meetings, and went to the Physcologist and completed my Phys test.  Now the good news, it only took 9 days for my insurance company to approve my surgery.  Dr. Harris first available for surgery is May 19th which I jumped at.  It's a great feeling now, to know I'm getting a little closer to the first day of the rest of my life. 

Looking back at being a single mother I put myselft last in most everything.  I wanted her to have every thing I didn't, have every advantage I didn't.  I lost my father almost 10 years ago, stepped up and took care of my elderly mother, who we lost 3 years ago.  Should I have taken better care of myself....yes.....should I have put myself first......probably......regrets......NO.  As I said in my first post, I had a baby whose father decided we weren't the effort..  My baby was worth everything to me.  My daughter is graduating college May 10th and will be going to Law School in the fall.  Looking back I like to think I did something right.  Now 22 years later it's my turn and I'm looking forward to the adventure.

Will keep you posted

Thanks to all of you who gave me an idea of what support groups are all about.  I went to my first Monday in Wilmington and was surprised at the number of people there.  Since I haven't gone to my first doctor's appt yet, it was so encouraging to hear those who have already had surgery, had no problems, and have lost so much weight.  I'm looking forward to going again.  I know most of you have had surgery and are further along, but it's so nice to read your stories and she how far along you've come.  It gives me great hope to know that one day, I'll be able to offer hope and advice to others.

I'm 51, married to a wonderful man 8 years in June.  I have a beautiful 22 year old daughter who is my biggest supporter in my quest to have weight loss surgery.  I've been heavy as long as I can remember.  When I was young I once heard one of my older sisters and some other relatives making  fun of my weight.  At the time it really hurt, but over time I guess I just got use to it.  My mother was also over weight and believed in good old country cooking and I loved it.  By the time I was a teen I "carried my weight well" since I was tall.  Most people didn't realize I weighed as much as I did.  I had a lot of "guy" friends that were more like older brothers in high school rather than "boy friends".  That was ok.  As I got older, hit the dance clubs and dated more it seemed I always ended up getting my heart broken. 

Food had always been my comfort in the past and was then.  I gained more and more, but still "carried it pretty well".  I found Mr. Right (so I thought), someone who I thought I'd spend the rest of my life with, have children and live the perfect life.  We were married when I was 26, my first, his second.  I thought my mom was a good cook......well let me tell you, his was just as good, if not better.  We lived down the streed from her and since she got off work earlier than I did, she'd cook dinner and expected  us to stop by or if my husband was working, I'd stop and eat and take food home.  The pounds started addiding up, then I got pregnant and ate more.  At 29 I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl who became the light of my life.  Little did I konw that 13 months later, my husband would walk out..  I decided then, I'd be the best mother ever and not put anyone before her.  I did that as far as people goes, but food was still my best friend.  My comfort food, when I was sad, angry or whatever, I ate, but not the right foods. 

Fourteen years later, I married my current husband who loves me for who I am and not how much I weigh.  He saw me for who I am, and I love him dearly for that.  Of course he loves to eat and so do I, so a little more weight has gone on.  I knew he wasn't a big weight loss surgery fan, but we've talked a lot and I've shead many tears a long the way, but I think he really understands now.  He may love me the way I am, but I don't love me.  At 51, I look back and realize I've wasted so much time on food and want to live as long as possible.  When I told my daughter about my decision, she was so excited.  Of course she said she was being a little selfish, in that she wants me to live as long as possible.  Personally, I don't think that's so selfish.  I want to live and not die because of food. 

My first appointment with the surgeon is Feb. 3 and I'm going to my first weight loss support group tomorrow night.