Katrina1d
My story is very similar to most people who have chosen to go on the journey of WLS. As long as I can remember I have always been bigger than my peers and as I’ve grown older, I’ve grown larger. I’ve had many successes of losing weight over the years but there always seemed to be some event that would cause me to forfeit my success and take part in my old ways. As an adolescent I remember being forced to wear women’s clothing as early as fifth grade because junior’s sizes simply did not fit. I joined weight watchers for the first time when I was 12 and was successful at losing 30 lbs only to gain it all back and then some after a sudden death in the family. That process has continued over the past 10+ years only with different diets and more sudden deaths and extremely unhealthy relationships.
This is actually my second journey to WLS. My first attempt was in 2008 after I had turned 21. When I met with Dr. Moore he expressed a great concern that I was not ready for the surgery and that I needed to change several things about myself in order to become a candidate for WLS. At that point in my life I was a smoker and partied regularly. I had just ended a mentally, emotionally, and physically abusive relationship. So, needless to say I was in no shape to take on this new responsibility and life style. I can look back and realize that now, but at the time I was devastated.
I ended up waiting 3 years partly because I was afraid of the rejection of being told no again and also because I wasn’t ready to make the changes I needed to in order to be successful and then my nephew was born last year and it has completely changed my life. I want to be active and healthy so that I can chase him around the back yard and help him learn how to ride his first bike. I want to be around to watch him grow up and to be one of many healthy role models in his life. I want to do this for my nephew, for my family, but mostly for myself. I’ve spent the first 25 years of my life being self conscious, having bad self esteem, and letting that bad self esteem dictate what I do or don’t do in my life and I am finally ready to break the cycle.
So here I am 3 years later. I have quit the smoking, partying, and have been in counseling for 2 years. I have gone back to Dr. Moore and have been given the ok to move forward with pre-op requirements!! So far I have completed all of my lab work, psych evaluation, and have attended 1 of 3 meetings for a weight loss trial and have already scheduled the second. All that’s left to do is complete the weight loss trial and schedule my surgery! I am thrilled and am so looking forward to my new life. I know the journey won’t be easy, but it will be so worth it. 
