KatFord
August 5, 2007
I just turned 38. I have had issues with my weight since childhood, with the exception of one brief, shining moment of happiness with my size (12) when I was 18 (yes, 20 years ago) that was oh so shortlived until I got pregnant with my first child. My weight jumped to over 200 lbs. I yo-yo'd from there to about 170 lbs after a bitter divorce. I was 175lbs when I met and subsequently fell in love with and married my husband and "soulmate" of 11 years now. So I have 3 more beautiful children now, and my weight has not been on right side of 200 lbs in over 10 years, during most of which it has hovered between 265 and 240.
I have several weight related health issues now: my knees are in constant pain, my back hurts after standing for more than 30 minutes, I have GERD I take Prevacid for, and my husband CLAIMS I snore, but I refuse to aknowledge that one unless I have a cold...for the sake of my shredded dignity! :) , and don't get me started on what happens when I sneeze or cough hard (ewww). Most of my family has struggles with their weight and associated health issues like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, hemorrhoids, etc. I see their struggles, and if I don't do something about my weight now, I see my future in them.
I too have tried soooooo many weight loss techniques like Weight Watchers, Makeover America, hypnosis, diet pills, and even ear stapling. Some of these worked for a while, and of course other attempts merely lightened my bank account instead of my body! My husbands insurance covers weight loss surgery, and he has seen the results it has produced in some of his co-workers. He is so supportive of my attempts, and seen my many disappointments and resulting depression (gotta love him!) so he suggested not waiting any longer to look into surgery for myself.
My insurance requires 6 months of medically supervised dietary consulting before approval, and I am in month 4 of 6 this August, 2007. It's supposed to take about a month for insurance approval after that, so I am anticipating my surgery will be sometime in October or November of 2007.
I found this site through the Google search engine, and I am so impressed with everyone's success stories and the postings I have read of individual journeys through this process. This looks like a great site for answers and encouragement. I'm not afraid to have the surgery, as I have already had 2 c-sections, then 2 VBac births, then my gallbladder removed laproscopically (so I don't need to worry about that coming out AFTER the RNY!).
I have done a lot of research on the procedure, and I am confident the surgeon I selected will do a great job. I have to take time away from my full-time office job to get this done, so I am planning on taking 3 weeks off work at this point in time.
I worry about getting the diet/protien intake and exercise part right post-op, so I have been finding vitamins and protein supplies/suppliers NOW.
After reading so many of your success stories, I am really looking forward to enjoying a healthier me post-op!
