Kathi C.
When I was in my thirties, my doctor said I need to lose weight because it wasn't healthy. I said, but I am healthy. He said you won't be when you get into your fifties. I thought that he didn't know what he was talking about.
Periodically, I would lose a lot of weight on a crazy fad diet and not keep it off long enough to pay for all the new clothes. Then the weight would pile back on plus more.
When I was in my forties, my doctor said I needed to lose weight because my blood pressure was high. I said, but the rest of me is healthy and the pills work. She said, but it will be worse in your fifties. I thought she didn't know what she was talking about.
Again, I would lose a lot of weight on a crazy fad diet and not keep it off long enough to pay for all the new clothes. Then the weight would pile back on plus more.
When I was in my fifties, my doctor said I need to lose weight because I had type II Diabetes. I said, but my sugar isn't THAT high. No, I won't take pills, exercise is too hard and I don't really care anyway. I developed Neuropathy. My feet either tingle or burn ALL of the time. Thank the good Lord for Lyrica, which gives me some relief. I still can't feel my toes and my feet up to my instep. This is serious, this is for real and this ain't going away.
Now, I am in my sixties and have a 20 month old grandson who lives 2500 miles away. Flying there is difficult, anyway. Even worse because of the size of luggage I need to take for the size clothing I wear. It tires me out and I can't get down on the floor and play with him.
As I was preparing myself for this surgery; I practiced chewing my food 25 times each bite and actually lost close to 20# before the 2 week pre-op diet. I was down 27# the day of surgery.
I asked myself if I thought I could do this without surgery and the answer is: Of course I can lose weight, I have done it a number of times. But what tools do I have to maintain the weight loss? Evidently none because I always gain it back plus more. Surgery is an option to give me the tool I need to be healthy and active.
I second guessed myself up until two days before surgery when I had overwhelming peace that I was making the right choice. (Thank God for praying friends.)
I realize it has only been a little over a week since my surgery, and in a few weeks, I will be celebrating my 62ND birthday and thanking God for a second chance to take care of this body He provided for me.
Regrets? Absolutely, I regret not having done this 10 or 20 or ?? years ago.
God Bless,
~Kathi 
