juggybutt
Hey everyone! I am Gena......37 year old woman in search of the ultimate "getting up in the morning and feeling good"!! :)
I've been overweight probably from the age of 7 until now. I can't ever remember weighing under 200lbs. I use to criticize those that would choose the "WLS" because I use to think it was an easy way out.......last year was my life changing decision to think completely on the other spectrum of "easy way out". There is nothing easy about this and I know it's going to take more will power than I could ever imagine. Someone very very very close to me had the Lap-Band 12/13/07 and has done wonderful. I watched him through the preop/post-op period and found a whole new respect for him.....he's my mentor, he's my support system, he's my brother!!
We lost our mother when she was 34 years old due to Hodgkins Disease....my brother was 9, my sister was 10 days shy of turning 4, and I was a few months shy of turning 3. I was a daddy's girl all the way after that...he was my life. At the age of 7 he remarried and well.....things weren't that good. I'm not going to go into detail but I will say that the best thing that came out of that is that I have a wonderful stepbrother whom I adore and I got lucky, he married my best friend Debra!!! The day before I turned 21....I lost my dad of a heart attack but in all honesty, I think he gave up the fight....he no longer had it in him to live and he wanted to be with my mother....he was 55 years old, the lost was completely traumatic to me. I never in my life have felt so lost and empty. Everything happens for a reason although sometimes we don't agree with those reason but God has a plan for each of us and despite losing my parents, he's been good to me!!
I started back in August doing my own research on the WLS world and found out that my insurance started covering bariatric surgery for medically necessary reasons. I went to the seminar with Dr Smith, fell in love with him, his staff and the whole concept of me getting the "tool" that I need in order to survive. Diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, all run extremely high in my family and it's inevitable......I will end up with one of the diseases although at this point, I've been very fortunate. I've got a couple more months to go before we submit everything to my insurance for the final approval. I went last week for the nutition evaluation and psychological evaluation which I wasn't really nervous but I was more concerned with the psychologist finding out just how crazy I really am! **humor** 
My birthday is April 8 and I'm really hoping for an awesome birthday present with having the Lap-Band. Everyone that I know that has had the procedure has been extremely successful!!
I don't care what anyone thinks........obesity is the result of an addiction to food just like an addiction to alcohol, drugs, sex, porn, gambling....whatever the addiction may be. I will fight this addiction because as I stated in my opening line.....I want to wake up feeling good!!!
I wish each and everyone that fights this terrible disease the best of luck and well wishes!!
