Kimberlee M.
It is almost comical how many times I have written My Story on the OH site, as wonderful things keep happening and I keep growing, so here goes the latest version:
I am now in my 40s, married and am a mother. Prior to my surgery was basically always overweight. After thinking about weight loss surgery for years, but always too afraid to do it, I got serious and had a lap Roux-en-Y on March 6, 2001, at the Alvarado Medical Center in San Diego.
Surgery and initial recovery time went well. It wasn't perfect (don't want to mislead), the transition was tough at times mentally and emotionally (getting used to living in a smaller/foreign body), but it was definitely worth it.
The mental/emotional part of the process surprised me even though people warned me it was coming. It really is a different world living a life in a body that is half the size it once was. Unfortunately, people really do treat you differently based on your size and this has been an ongoing adjustment, for both them and me. However, a large part of this attention is due to my renewed self-confidence, esteem and just plain feeling better about myself.
I am thankful for the opportunity to have had this surgery and am in a much better place in every aspect of my life than when I was pre-op.
In February of 2007 I got married and gave birth to our daughter in May, 2008! Being pregnant was an amazing experience, especially since pre-op I was told that since I had Polycycstic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), I was infertile (it reversed post-op thanks to the elimination of the excess weight and return of estrogen). In my opinion, RNY enabled me to become a mother. Talk about a Magic Moment! There's not enough words to express the joy I have each day thanks to my daughter, Kira.
WLS is an act of Self-Love, not desperation. You are worth it!
Tips:
Never compare yourself to others; that's self-defeating.
Don't try to "push it" by eating and doing things you shouldn't; you'll only hurt yourself and you've probably been self-destructive long enough.
Be a role model for this procedure as so many people still want to bash it.
Therapy and support groups are key.
Love yourself each day; it's time.
peace...
