Weight issues are a serious and complicated subject and burden. Everybody and their dog has an opinion on what works and what doesn’t. Thoughts on what is healthy and what isn\u2019t. There are success stories and horror stories for every option. Books, videos, plans, diets, doctors, pills, fads, websites, apps, you name it. When you have weight issues, lots of people, maybe even well meaning, know what you should and should not be doing, should eat and should not eat, you can help it, you just can\u2019t help it, etc. They share, sometimes it good, often it\u2019s painful. It’s tough. It\u2019s tough being overweight. At least, it was and is for me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I struggled with my weight for years. I tried just about everything. I\u2019d have success, then I’d fail again. And again, and again. But I would never try weight loss surgery. No way. I was definitely against any form of weight loss surgery because I’d seen and heard more bad than good. Would never do it. Ever. Never. 3 who died. Others who became addicted to drugs or booze or sex. I was terrified of it. So never.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Never say never. Year 3 of my doctor recommending doing it, really discussing my fears about it, she convinced me to explore it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
July 8, 2019 I had a surgery, commonly known as the Gastric Sleeve. They just went in and took some of my stomach out. That’ll slow you down on how much you can eat. For real. Wasn’t a decision made lightly. About 2 months of research, 6 months of counseling and more research, many discussions with my husband and children, 2 week pre-op diet, then under the knife. I had to make a commitment to some do’s and don’t’s – which if I had been good at to begin with, coulda lost weight on my own – right? I just couldn’t make anything else work. The more I explored this option, I realized that in fact it was for me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After surgery was 3 weeks of liquid diet, 3 weeks of soft foods, then slowly adding things back in. But in my research, I knew there were some things best for me to give up. And I did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My results?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On June 23, 2019 I weighed 294.<\/strong> Three pounds under the highest I\u2019ve ever weighed, which had been 297. Two weeks prior to surgery I had a diet of basically protein shakes and bars in the day, one meal at night. Not easy, but never cheated. Worth it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On July 8, 2019 I weighed 281, down 13 pounds in two weeks.<\/strong> Dr. Long with the Nicholson Clinic did my surgery at 7:30 a.m. Afterwards, the doctor and staff were instructional, supportive, and encouraging. My new life had begun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On July 8, 2020 4 :30 a.m. I weighed in. It was 190 pounds<\/strong> on the scale. Down 104 pounds total, 91 since surgery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I don’t drink anything with bubbles anymore, hard to say goodbye to beer, Rooster Booster Lite and Topo Chica. But so worth it. I avoid gluten, rice and white potatoes. Hardly eat sugar, don’t feel good if I have a lot of it. Less booze too. I eat about 4 ounces per meal, a couple of 1 ounce snacks a day -usually nuts or protein of some sort. I take vitamins. It would be a good diet right? Couldn’t I have just sucked it up and done that? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Here’s the thing. The surgery helped change how my body works and thinks. It’s all sciency and a little psychology too. I think differently now. I feel differently now. I live differently now. I live. I live well. Finally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I can sit in any restaurant booth or on any chair now. I can climb any ladder or use any treadmill (yeah, I need to use the treadmill…sighs). No weight restriction worries. I can buckle my seatbelt on an airplane, and the car one is comfortable too. Getting in and out of a car is easier. That’s just a fraction of the benefits I’ve gained, and anxiety I’ve lost. If you\u2019ve ever had any of these issues, you know how upsetting they can be. I went from size 26 jeans to size 12, and could likely wear a 10 since the 12s are getting pretty comfy. My knees function better. I’m saggy in some new spots, and I’m okay with that. I have butt bones, a tail bone and a breastbone. I have mostly new clothes, but my older bigger flannel shirts are my faves still. I still don’t know how to respond to the compliments, so forgive my weird responses when I hit you with them. It\u2019s appreciated but completely awkward for me. No more blood pressure medication. I no longer snore at night. I rest better. I feel good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I still have some weight to lose, I\u2019m still \u201cobese\u201d at 190 and 5’4″, just not \u201cmorbidly obese\u201d. But honestly I just want to be healthy. If I don\u2019t lose another pound, I\u2019m so much healthier than I was that I\u2019m fine with it!! I can live with the saggy parts or I might get a wild hair and get them fixed someday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My point of all this is I would have done this sooner had I realized weight loss surgery has come a long way in the last several years. I had one of the best clinics in the country with one of the highest success rates. I did what they said to do, because I knew they knew what they were talking about, and they wanted me to add to those rates. I had the best support system in the world with my husband and my family. They all helped and still do, more than they\u2019ll ever know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But I also understand it’s not for everyone. It wasn’t for me. Others have had successes in other ways. We’re all different. But for those of us who struggle with weight issues, it ain’t easy. It ain’t easy at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So if you happen across this, and ever need to talk about it or want further information, I\u2019m here. It\u2019s not everyone\u2019s best decision, but it was by far the best one for me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Today, Happy Surgiversary to me. I’m grateful me chose life. Thanks for listening to Dr. Jenifer and for being wise enough to research. Thanks for being brave. Love, me.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n +++Photo of me with husband Andy. What healthier and happier looks like. \ud83d\udc97<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Weight issues are a serious and complicated subject and burden. Everybody and their dog has an opinion on what works and what doesn’t. 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