DesperateDawn
How I got here....
Dec 05, 2012
Hi! I had a RNY bypass done 10 days ago.
So, I was 130 lbs until my 20's, then 150lbs before I had kids in my early 20's, then 180 lbs after my 1st, 210 after my 2nd, and 250 after my 3rd. I developed thyroid infections that stunted any weight loss from the time I turned 19 until I was 30 years old. Not enough of a problem to need meds, just enough so I could not lose more than 5 lbs that I would then get back. I finally made a commitment to start working out regularly when my obesity caused me bladder issues and depression and my weight was at 265lbs. Unfortunately I lost only 6 lbs and then I had an accident while working out that bruised 4 ribs and sprained my ankle causing me to need to do NOTHING physical for 8 weeks. I decided I had had ENOUGH! I set up an appointment with my Bariatric Surgeon. I just KNEW I could not get where I needed to be for my health and happiness on my own anymore.
I have 2 friends who have had Sleeves who were great sources of information for me. They helped me to get a head-start on things like getting my psych eval done and being proactive about gathering existing dieting and medical records. My surgeon accepted any blood/xrays/testing within 6 months of the appointment so I was able to circumvent redoing a bunch of tests they did during my injury. I was injured on May 31 2012, I went to my Meet the Surgeon at the end of Sept, I had my 1st Drs appointment on Oct 25th, I was approved by my insurance on Oct 30th, I had preop on Nov 21st, I had surgery on Nov 26th.
It is really funny how people in my life reacted. My mom was happy I was trying to do something about my health, but scared. My hubby was scared but supporting. My 1 friend with the vertical sleeve was actually Mad, she wanted me to do the Sleeve too, then later told me she wished she had done the RNY. Talk about confusing me. My 2nd friend with the Vertical Sleeve disappeared from my life from the time I started preop (5 days****il 9 days after with the excuse "She did not want anyone around so she assumed I didn't." The more people I told the more mixed the reactions were. I also met more people who had had some form of WLS by talking about my own journey.
What did I learn from this? Everyone is UNIQUE. How you react, how they react, how your body reacts is not predictable. What I did was ask myself some important questions. What are my goals? Can I achieve them if I continue on my current path? What path will let me achieve these goals? What am I willing to give up? Then I told myself a couple of things. #1 I am NOT a failure, only my current path is the problem. #2 There is NO easy way to lose weight , so I can not be "taking the easy way out". #3 Every day is a new day to do better both emotionally and physically #4 I will find new solutions to roadblocks in my life. They required detours instead of stopping all my progress.
Everyday is a "Battle". I am just choosing to win my personal war. The RNY has given me that feeling of fullness after a few bites. Yes I think my 3 year old can beat me up because I am pretty weak right now, I had surgery 10 days ago! I struggle with drinking but today is a good day because I struggled less. Choose the surgery you want or don't want based on being educated by Dr's, people who have had them, and READ up on them. You don't choose a surgery based on your favorite color. Your opinion should be the only deciding factor, because after it is done...YOU are in the drivers seat. You put the food in your mouth, you feel the pain, the reward, the sense of accomplishment or failure. It is your body, your emotions, and if you were to be deserted by one or all of the people in your life YOU would be the only one there to keep yourself going. Hope this helped best of luck to you.
