southtexas

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I am normally a very private person and do not really put all of my "business" out there for everyone to know. I am at a crossing point though. I am now finding myself wanting to reach out to others in the same boat as I am.

My entire adult life, I have been obese. Obese, I hate the word. I never thought I would call myself that but, that's what I am. At 5'2" and 278 lbs I am morbidly obese. Wow. How did I get here?

Years and years of unsuccessful diets. I have tried diet pills and even exercising for three hours a night at one point. Here I am at the highest weight I have been in my life.

I married my husband in January 2010, we bought our first home in May 2010, and we look forward to starting a family in the next couple of years. I had a huge shock though when I went to my doctor for my annual exam. My blood pressure, for the first time in my life, was through the roof. My doctor told me that he would be extremely concerned if I were to get pregnant now. As long as my weight and blood pressure were so high, I would definitely have complications.

I cried my way out of the doctor's office that day and drove straight to betterLife Bariatrics. I was so nervous but, the staff was awesome. I filled out the questionnaire and waited to hear back if I was a good candidate for weight loss surgery. Finally, my appointment is set with the nutritionist, for the psych evaluation, and with the doctor.

I have wanted WLS for a while and now I am ready. My husband is supportive in whatever I decide to do. He knows this is something that I want and I am happy that he is backing me all of the way. My mother was worried with the idea at first but, she finally said that she is supporting me (but, she said she will still worry ). I wish that she would have surgery as well. She is morbidly obese as well and I almost lost her in December 2008 due to congestive heart failure. I pray that after talking to the doctors at my consultation, she will make this first step as well.

I have a dilemma though. I have a co-worker, someone who is very dear to me, who told me that she will not support me with my decision for WLS. During a time of excitement and hope, my heart feels heavy because my friend/co-worker will not even discuss it with me. I have tried to show her the book that I was reading and the information packet from the doctor's office. She does not want to listen or look at any of it. She tells me that this surgery is not for me, I am not big enough for that and that I should try dieting.....again.

After our conversation that day, I looked to the internet for others that are in my shoes. I need a support network. I have always felt strong and that I didn't need anybody to succeed. I was wrong.....I need it now. I need encouragement and to talk to others that are going through the same thing.

So, here we go. I am officially starting the path to my new life. I thank the hundreds (thousands) of people out there sharing their story. It is inspirational.

This time, I will NOT fail. Till next time.......