Jody U.
Well, this is my story. I am 48 years old and have been overweight almost my entire adult life. Although I was a normal sized child and teenager, I never really learned good eating habits as a young person because my metabolism was so high and I was a very active person I could eat anything I wanted and wouldn't gain an ounce. I loved to ski, swim, dance anything outdoors really.
When I was about 19, I met my first husband, who was a bit of a control freak, and I think I was looking for a way out of my parents house, but didn't think I could live on my own or support myself, so settled for him. We got married in 1980 and by our 1st anniversary I had gained 60lbs, by our 2nd anniversary I had gained about 80lbs, and was pregnant. I had 2 back to back pregnancies and weighed in at about 200lbs. The marriage was in major trouble and by the time we split up, in 1986, I was about 230lbs.
So there I was, a single mom of 2 small children trying to make ends meet and didn't spend alot of time on me. Then in 1989 my youngest daughter was diagnosed with juvenile or insulin dependant diabetes. Well, that was a wake up call for me, so I started going to the gym and eating healthy, I had to as my daughter was also on a special diet. I lost over 50lbs and was down to 170. Still over weight but not obese. Well that lasted for about a year as I also quit smoking and immediately regained the 50 and then some. And of course as I gained weight my desire to go to the gym also dwindled as I wasn't as agile as I was when thinner and working out was no longer enjoyable.
Fast forward to 1998, and my weight was the highest it had ever been, 270 lbs., plus I had clinical depression due to ongoing battles over property, child support and custody with my ex husband. By this point in time both of my kids had gone to live fulltime with their father (both were in their teens now), got treatment for my depression and realized I could have a life again. So I joined TOPS and started going swimming and to the gym. I lost 100lbs in a year and got a new lease on life. But........again another setback, I got severe debilitating vertigo, and couldn't go to the gym anymore. That lasted about 5months, and as the story goes had totally lost my motivation for working out. But I did try, just never got the bug that I had before.
The good thing though about losing that weight was that I finally had a social life. After 13 years of not even going out on one date, I started dating again. And in april of 2000 met my current husband. But he lived in Victoria and I was in Vancouver, and I think the move, although not that far, was hard on me. So again, the weight came back on. I had gained some of it back when we met, but within a year had regained about 70lbs.
In the past 4-5 years, I have had many medical problems, 2 scopes on both my knees, high cholesterol, 2 hernia operations, both ovaries removed due to cysts and a diagnosis of hypothyroidism. Then type 2 diabetes as well.
I had basically given up on losing weight, because I would lose 20 or 30 pounds but then there would be a set back, such as my knees going out, or getting some bug and would immediately gain it back. I tried joining TOPS again, but it wasn't the same, new city, new group. Joined curves but got so bored with it. Then joined a local gym, but I was the only fatty there and felt really out of place. Plus didn't have any one to go with so no motivation etc etc.... Also joined Jenny Craig, did the south beach diet all with some limited success, but would always regain the weight back as soon as I stopped any particular diet.
Then about 2 months ago, started to really look into WLS and the more I researched the more it sounded like this could be something that would work for me. I know I can lose the weight, it just keeps finding me somehow.
So, this Monday Mar 5 I have an appointment with Dr Christou in Montreal. I am going to pay for the surgery myself and not wait for 4 or 5 years to have the medical system pay it for me. I believe that for me it is important to get my weight under control so that my many medical problems that are all almost weight related will resolve themselves. And I don't think waiting the 5 years is going to be of any benefit for my health.
I understand, also, that this is not a quick fix, and I am willing to work hard for this and hopefully with the surgery I will be able to start working out again as the weight comes off, and my knees won't have so much to carry. Plus I have found all these wonderful web sites and have joined a WLS support group and have a connection with people in the same situation as me.
So hopefully with all this wonderful support I will never again regain the weight.
