Andrea A.
I can't really tell you where my story begins. I remember being tall and thin in the first grade, but after that, it all went downhill. Or should I say my weight went uphill. I rememebr being in the fourth grade and buying a pair of jeans in the juinors department. They were either a 7 or 9. MY weight kept going up. Food has always been a downfall. I am a picky eater, but I like to eat what I like. I have tried different things. I tried to exercise. It all works for a while, but then I get tired and quit. Three years ago, my dad passed away. I made a vow to myself that I would lose the weight. I lost almost 50 pounds on Weight Watchers. I was so proud of myself. For the first time, I actually felt like I was kind of pretty. I actually had guys notice me. I had a boyfriend. I didn't have to sit at home on Friday and Saturday night. In August of 2005, I met my fiancee. I tried for a while to keep losing weight, but I got comfortable. I felt loved and the weight came back. About a year or so later, I went back to WW. I did okay. Then things started sinking in. I realized I am getting older. I want to have kids soon. I got scared. I thought, if I didn't get the weight off, my boyfriend would leave me. I was always told how people prefer skinny people over heavy ones. I truly believed that. I could not understand why my boyfriend loved me. I just knew that one day he was going to wake up and realize how heavy I was and leave me. I realized that if I didn't get the weight off I could possibly be making it harder on me to have children. Those were not things I wanted. I went to a WLS seminar. That is where I met Dr. Wheeler. At first I wasn't sure of him. I went through the process required of him and my insurance. Over time I came to really like Dr. Wheeler. My information was sent in for an approval. I was denied. I got depressed. I didn't know what to do. In the mean ime, my boyfriend asked me to marry him. My mom and I went shopping for dresses. When I realized how big I was going to have to buy, my heart fell. I was embarassed. I felt better that only my mom knew. Later I went with my Matron-of-Honor. She now knows. I was so ashamed and embarassed. I wanted the surgery now more than ever. I appealed the decision. I was approved. My surgerywas on March 13. I get so excited thinking about the alterations that will need to be done to my gown. I might actually look good for my wedding. I might actually be a pretty bride.
