laura B.
Well, I'm sure my story sounds fairly familiar. I've been heavy all my life. When I was in high school and college, I was thinner (cheerleader, tennis team, skiier, etc.) but I was always the largest of my friends. Over the years (I'm 39 now), I have gained and lost and gained and lost. I've been on almost every diet out there and found Weight Watchers to be the most effective for me, but I always ended up gaining it back. In the last 3 or 4 years, I've gone from the 250's to now weighing about 320 lbs. I am miserable. I have severe sleep apnea and am continually sleep deprived. I have a very good job with the federal government and find myself struggling to stay awake in meetings and forcing myself to stay awake on my commute to and from the office. I have more trouble now then I've ever had just walking short distances and doing things I use to do that I never thought about before. I miss going on roller coasters with my son at amusement parks, I miss skiing, I miss being comfortable in a normal size seat, like on an airplane (I can't wait to not need an extender anymore!), the movie theatre, at a restaurant, etc. I just feel lousy and want my life back. I've been thinking about WLS for a couple years now and have decided that it's going to take something major and drastic to help support my losing weight and keeping it off forever. My husband, family, friends and close friends that are co-workers, are very supportive of my decision to go through surgery and I am thankful that I have them, especially during the upcoming days that will be hard I'm sure. I've done so much research, read everything I possible can about WLS, the pro's the con's, the permanent lifestyle changes needed to be successful and I really hope and pray this is the answer. I am ready to do the hard work and although I know there will be bad days mixed in, I think it will be worth it in the long run. I am so tired of being tired. I've attended two information sessions at two different WL centers near me and I have decided to go with Dr. Anez at INOVA Fair Oaks Hospital here in Fairfax, VA. I have met with him and his team and feel very confident that it's the right decision for me. I start pre-op appointments this coming week and I am SO excited. My insurance approval was a breeze, thanks to my government insurance company, so now I can focus on preparing myself mentally and physically for the big day, September 23, 2008!
