Sandy V.
January 15,2007
Hi there, and Welcome!! I'm Belinda...and You are invited to come along with me as I start my new and exciting journey to a better healthier, a brand new me!!
Why do I say a brand new me? Well, I am happy with who I am on a mental and spiritual level, the physical side of who I am needs some work. So this journey with this new tool that I am hoping to experience soon, will be the beginning of the brand new and improved person that I hope to become. Along the way as the body improves, I will be open to new improvements elsewhere.
I am determined to make this experience positive in everyway, even when the bad days show up, it will mean that I am one step closer to a better, healthier life.
I am 48 years old, and will be 49 in March. I hope to have surgery before the 49th birthday.
I am single, My only child is a 15 year old Cat, who I call Daisy, she believes herself to be Queen Daisy! And she believes I only exist to cater to her every whim, and need. I do love the little white ball of fur, so yes she is spoiled.
I have to say here, that I am not totally childless...because I have 3 nephews and 1 niece. they are all grown now, not babies any longer but I adore andI love, totally and completely as if they were my own, they are not my children by birth...but children of my heart. Yes, they are my heart....
I am a retired florist having owned my own shop for 14 years, and miss it very much. But due to continued health problems I finally had to sell my business a few years ago, I am not really enjoying my retirement, I miss working. No, I'm not crazy, lol, I truly love working with flowers and people, and staying home much of the time has become a tad bit boring, Although I do stay busy with hobbies, visiting friends and family, my prayer and my goal is to return to the business world once my weight loss journey is successful.
I have weighed as much as 398lbs, (possibly more) and the smallest I can remember being is 60lbs at three years old. I presently weigh 390, and I am slowly losing at the present by watching my carbs, fats and portion sizes.
My story is much like many on OH, I was a small baby, only about 6lbs at birth, who grew into a chunky toddler, into an overweight teenager to an obese 20 and 30 year old , and now into the super morbid obese 48 year "young" adult. I really hate feeling older than my age, and I really despise the term... "super morbid obese", but I am determined to never to see it associated with my name on any doctor's record ever again. Through the years, from 6 years through the teenage years into college days and to the years of a working adult, until now I have tried every diet known to mankind. I would lose the pounds only to slide off the diet or become bored with it when it did not produce the results that I had hoped for. I lost over 100lbs a few years ago down to 265, my lowest weight in years, only to have it plus more to find me once again. Three years ago I did Atkins and lost 71 pounds, and made it down to 325 pounds, but for whatever reason, I stopped losing and starting gaining once again. In my lifetime, I have probably lost and gained my weight hundreds of times. And as we all know this isn't good for the body physically or mentally. I seriously began to think about WLS at that time, but I was still determined to try another diet...so one more diet came and went. I had to have a complete hip replacement in March of '06, and started a low carb, low fat diet that worked well for about three months, but I stopped losing and once again I have found almost all those pounds I had lost. Now I find myself wondering what am I waiting for, this surgery is the answer to my prayers...so here I go...on this new exciting journey...Destination: A Brand New Improved Healthier Me.....
The co-morbidites that I have include Type II Diabetes, Hypertension, Osteoarthritis, Hypothyroidism, Hyperlipidemia, High HDL & LDL, a high risk of developing cornary heart disease, Diabetic Neuropathy in both of my Feet, and a BMI over 60. (Being only 5ft4in tall, my bmi is extremely high. Downright scary to see that big number) So as you can tell, even though I will love looking better, this surgery is all about my health and survival. I really do not think I will live very much longer without this surgery. My body is speaking to me loud and clear, and finally I am listening. It has taken me so long to listen, I pray that I haven't waited to long to hear the words. Why have I waited...I really thought I could do this with dieting. But my body fights me, every step of the way, between my hips and knees being worn completely to the bone, and the arthritis taking over, and my thyroid, it seems it never stops. It isn't about food for me, yes I like to eat, like everyone who is skinny or fat, we need it just like we need air, but for me it is about fighting for body to be healthy. I know that I now need more than a diet, and this surgery is the tool that I need.
My paper work is complete and arrived at Centennial Center today (January 17th.)
My psychiatric evaluation has been completed (January 15th), and Doctor de la Torre of the Evelyn Frye Center in Nashville tells me I am an excellent candidate for the surgery. Whew! I am so happy that is over.
Now it looks like I will "Hurry UP and Wait" on the Insurance approval with Medicare.
Well that's my story ....the ups an downs, good and the bad!!" ...so let this new journey begin. I Am Ready!!!!
Good luck to everyone beginning your own journey, congratulations to all those who have made it to the loser's side. I hope to join you soon. If I can help in anyway possible or if you just like to correspond, drop me an email. Best Wishes to one and all!! and God's Blessings.
Hugs, Belinda
