spark09
Hi,
My name is Sue and I'm in the process of learning about WLS. My story is probably similar to many peoples but I'll give you a run down of my history. I was born in 1957 and was the 2nd born of 7 children, one of two girls and 5 brothers. I had a lot of responsibility in the household and at times I believe that I had to grow up too fast. I wasn't allowed to be a kid in many ways with household chores and watching my other siblings. I was kind of like older sister and Mom to them. My only sister was eight years younger than me but we maintain a close relationship and she too has weight issues. In fact, she is having WLS, and she is the one who sparked my interest in learning about my options.
I am a teacher and a mother of 5 girls. Four of my girls are grown up and on their own. I still have a 6 year old at home. Yeah you may think I'm crazy but there really is a method to my madness. I got pregnant for her on purpose at age 43 because I wanted my husband (my 2nd husband) to have a biological child. He helped me raise my 4 girls and was a dedicated husband and father. I wanted him to experience having a baby around since he came into my life when my youngest, the twins, were 7 years old. For some reason we didn't get around to options until later. I think it had something to do with finances. That's a whole different story.
I have struggled with my weight my whole life it seems. Well, I should say since about 6th grade. I started gaining weight when I started to develop. I didn't like it that I weighed more than my friends and I started dieting at that time. I have been dieting ever since to try to take off weight. I would be successful for a time, but put the weight back on and then some. I have always been a yo yo dieter.
When I got married the first time, yes I made a bad choice with my selection of a husband just as I make bad choices with food. Well, anyway, my first pregnancy packed some weight on me. I gained about 55 pounds and off course never took it all off. Each pregnancy found me a little heavier.
I have always been self-conscious about my weight and always feel impressed to explain my reason for weight gain or diet plans. I just can't seem to let it go. I don't want my weight to define who I am even in my own mind. I have always felt a prisoner to my weight because I don't see myself as fat in my own mind. It always surprises me that I am so heavy when I look in a mirror. I know it sounds strange but my brain perceives me at a normal weight. I guess that's why I am always so aggrevated with my situation.
I am approximately 80 pounds overweight at this time. To some that may not sound as crucial as their own situation but I am uncomfortable with myself and I have health issues as well. I have been struggling with high blood pressure for about 10 years and also experience skin problems with eczema that reoccurs or just won't clear up. I had gestational diabetes with my last pregnancy and I have been told that I am likely to develop diabetes which could happen at any time, especially since I am so overweight.
I don't know exactly where this journey will take me since I am one of those people that just fall under the BMI level of 35. My BMI is currently 33.7 and insurance is an issue when that happens. I'm definitely interested in changing my life in a drastic way. Since a multitude of diets have not helped, my only hope is finding a medical intervention such as WLS. I'll keep you posted on new developments.
