Julie Nolan
Hello,
I'm a 43 year old Army Veteran. I have four children; Adam, 24(Served two tours in Iraq, was granted two purple hearts); Brian and Jordan (twins) 19(Jordan is currently a specialist in the Army National Guard); and Michelle, 17 (has her sights sett on being a nurse in the Regular Navy when she graduates high school). I also have two awesome step-children; Jessica, 22 and Justin, 19 (Justin is in the Air Force Reserves). My husband, John, and I have been married since 2001 and are still very much in love! We met while I was still in the Army. John has been in the Army Special Forces / Special Ops for more than 28 years. Needless to say, we have the oh-so-wonderful military insurance, Tricare Prime.
John and I have three beautiful grandchildren! Alexander, 4; Adam, Jr., 4; and Emma, 1 year old. We also have several 'adopted' grandchildren. We have a large extended family.
I've spent ALL of my adult life battling the weight game. I started out exercising and following a diet plan at a facility called 'Gloria Stevens' given to me right after my son Adam was born. Let's see if I can remember all the 'diets' I've been on....Hmmm...Weightwatchers, Nutri-System, Slim-fast, Suzanne Somers, Atkins, South Beach, Richard Simmons, Oprah's plan with that Green dude, Dexatrim, Nutrionists, Dieticians...I even joined Curves and several other gyms and had personal trainers through-out the years........then...I joined the Army when I was 33. I ran, jogged, stepped, aerobisized, aquasized and just became OVERsized more and more as the years went on!
Even joining the Army wasn't much help. I actually thought that if I joined the Army, it would get me in shape and I would stay in shape. Sadly, I was medically discharged from the Army in December 2003 because of five herniated discs in my neck. I've had two neck surgeries, a total hysterectomy & stress incontinence surgery. I've had my gallbladder out. If I HAVE to have surgery again for what ever reason,,,I want it to be to make me MORE healthy so I won't have to have any other surgeries. Including lumbar spine surgery!
Meanwhile, I've been back to Weightwatchers twice, counting cals and protein and peeing on keto sticks. Don't get me wrong, I've lost weight but I've just never been able to KEEP it off! I gain it back PLUS more! I am no longer able to get off my rump and walk much because I now have four bad discs in my lumbar spine (degenerative disc disease) and have to walk with a damned cane because of all the pain I'm in. When my neurosurgeon declared that I'm 'Morbidly Obese' I basically just 'threw in the trying towel' and said screw it. This is who and what I'm meant to be.
Well, now I'm through with that crap! I'm TIRED damn it!
I'm tired of not being able to play with my grandbabies!
I'm tired of being in pain 24/7! Pain in my feet, my knees, my hips, my back and my neck and arms from the weight of my breasts! I'm tired of having to have my husband help me get into the shower on my bad days!
I'm tired of not being able to get comfortable at night and having to wear the tented clothes and not being able to wear shoes that tie!
I'm tired of being out of breath and snoring so loud I awaken my husband!
I'm tired of heart palpitations and being depressed ALL the stinkin' time!
I'm tired of being too embarrassed to make love with my husband!
I'm tired of being embarrassed to meet my kids' friends and of being seen as a hefty mama!
I'm tired, I'm tired, I'm tired!!!!!
So, when I learned that Tricare now covers WLS, I decided it's time to really do something about this! No one else can do it for me! HaRumph!
I've been knockin' my brain tryin' to figure out what procedure is best for me and my family. I need a new tool that will help us all.
The more I learn about Lapband and RNY, the more I'm leaning toward the RNY. I'm looking forward to meeting with Dr. Pohl and/or his partners. Meanwhile, I'll work at getting all my ducks in order so I can have the surgery we chose is best ASAP!
I am sooooo looking forward to walking without a cane and not having to seek handicap parking anymore! And I'm really looking forward to taking my grandchildren to the park without having to have my daughter, my son, my husband or anyone else go with me to help!
I'm basically, just looking forward to being healthy, healthy, healthy! I want to LIVE!!!
It's 2:45 AM. Guess I'll try goin' to bed now.
Good night.
About Me
Before & After
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