halibee33
So here I am starting aknew. I am 41 y/o, very happily married for almost 19 yrs. and have 3 amazing sons. The eldest graduating high school this year. Not sure I am really ready for that! LOL
Weight has been a struggle for at least the last 16 years. I fluctuated at first, up 10 lbs. then down 4 lbs. then up again another 12 lbs. It really didn't seem to matter what I tried, I couldn't lose the pounds. I exercised, I dieted and dieted some more. Then resigned myself to be happy with who I was and what I had. Which was amazing.
I turned 40. Things started to change within me. I was at a crossroads in life. Kids are growing. Spouse is on shore duty. Oh how I wanted to keep up with them all on the glorious hikes here in Hawaii. I was winded all the time, joints ached, hips "hurt". Then came the talk with my dr. I became pre-diabetic, my bloodpressure was on the rise (too much of a rise). As was the cholesterol. Asthma made a comeback. I kicked myself into high gear. Really became aware of what I was eating (not bad in the slightest), really started exercising (water aerobics 3x a week and the fitness center 2x a week). Know what changed..... nothing. I lost a lovely 4 lbs. in 6 mos. 6 MOS.? Are you kidding me?
Next step, referral to LeAN program. Which in turn led to the referral to the bariatric program. I cried the first time my doctor said I needed that program. I cried when she told me my bmi. I sucked it up and went. It was the best decision and the right decision. I couldn't believe how far WLS has come. My eyes opened, I became excited about this new path I was on. Very fortunate for me, I had my husband on board with it as well as the rest of my family. I went to classes, got informed and started the tremendous work of making even more changes.
My program co-ordinator is fantastic. Then found out I had to lose 5%. Well, that shouldn't take long. It was only 11.5 pounds. All I can say is it took me 6 mos. to lose that 5%. I had great support though.
Made the decision of which surgery to have. I was going with the RNY. No lapband for me. *The idea of a port was not sitting well and I knew I would feel it as I lost weight which would drive me nuts. LOL
I was confident in my decision, I was positive (completely foreign to me and everyone who knows me. I am known as the most optomistic pessimist around!)
Surgery day: Let's just say there were complications. November 29, 2010, surgery. 1 1/2 days later, discovered there was a kink, and nothing was passing through. December 2, 2010, surgery #2. Became extremely ill, *fevers, very high bp and pulse rate, septic, etc. On many an antibiotic, meds, tpn, etc. etc. December 6, 2010, surgery #3 (open). They got in there and fixed all that was wrong. I almost died, glad I didn't. Was in ICU for 2weeks, and general surgery recovery for 1 1/2 weeks. Got to come home 3 days before x-mas. Yay.
It has been a very long recovery. I had many tubes and came home with a g-drain. Not fun that one. But I am losing the weight. I have great support from family, friends and my support group and doctors. I am the "special case", "the one that almost slipped away". I can look back now and smile. I still have no real idea what transpired or why, though my hubby and sister do.
Would I go back and not do it? Nope. It has already impacted my life positively. I am getting stronger every day. Let's just say I am never going to be optimistic again! LOL Bad things happen to me then because it is soooooo out of character. I am great at being optimistic to others, just not myself.
So here's to a new journey, new beginning and a healthier, stronger ME!
