DeeD
I sit here and try to find the words to describe what it feels like, for me, to finally begin. I have been overweight most of my life and have felt like an outsider. The past 8 years have been the worst as far as my weight is concerned. I have more than doubled my size since 1997.
I had heard about WLS a few times, and it seemed there was always someone around more than willing to talk about all the horror stories about deaths, post surgery tramas, and bad results that had spread faster than any success stories ever did. So I dropped the idea and continued to struggle.
Then I began developing comorbities... but I didn't know that was what they were. I had sleep apnea, had the sleep studies done and was put on the CPAP. I later had a tonsillectomy because the CPAP was no longer effective for me. That didn't work either, I still had it. I was told I had high cholesterol and triglycerides, was borderline type 2 diabetic, had edema in my legs along with the ankle, knee, and hip pains, and needed to change what I was eating and drop weight. I was given a list of foods to stay away from but wasn't given any ideas what to do about the weight. I developed IBS and the weight didn't move. I tried Atkins and Weight Watchers with little success. I went to Curves 3 times a week, did the circut 2x instead of 1 each time... still not much of a move. I know that I was probably developing muscle, but for someone who is trying everything to lose weight, and the scale doesn't move or actually goes UP! That is just too depressing and so I gave up. My weight began to rise again and now I sit here at my highest weight ever... 263lbs.
My mom has been overweight most of here life too, but to go visit one summer and borrow a blouse and it only be slightly too big... THAT was it for me.
I began researching WLS and soul searching to see if this was what I had been waiting for. Could I use this tool that science has provided and become the person I longed to be.
I found out that all my problems could be attributed back to my weight. I was shocked and heart sick that my doctor had never mentioned this to me or that WLS may have been a solution! Instead they just sent me to specialist after specialist and THEY never mentioned WLS to me either! I became determined to treat the source and not the side effects.
I checked every search engine link I could find about WLS. I called my insurance and found out that it wasn't covered. I attended my first WLS seminar 2/10/07 and scheduled pre-op tests with my PCP for 2/15/07. I called a finance company my WLS surgery center recommended and was approved. My psych evaluation is scheduled for 2/27/07 and I'm hoping for a pre-op with my surgery doctor within a few days of that and a surgery date within a few weeks of that.
I am resolved in my head and at peace in my heart that this is for me and this is my time. I thank all those who have gone before me and shared their experiences on the BB. It was wonderful reading of all the GREAT experiences and life changes WLS has helped to make happen.
I hope the experiences I enter here may one day help someone else.
