Raveyn59
Hello Everyone, my name is Raveyn and I guess I am NOT sure where to start except to say that I've recently had the Gastric Sleeve procedure done on Monday, March 29, 2010 and hoping to have a better quality of life for my future.
hmmmmm.....what brought me here.....well I was raised in Southern LoUiSiAna where most people believe 'GREASE' is a food group, I'm an only child but should have had 6 siblings but unfortunately for my Mom she miscarried all but me. I grew up basically spoiled by both my Mother and Father, providing me with anything & everything I wanted...now don't get me wrong, we were NOT rich by NO means but my parents always did their best to provide me with that could and I had a great childhood.
They were married 33 years in 1999 when my MOM passed away with Cancer.....guess it was only recently that I took hold of my own life realizing that at age 42, I myself wasn't so far from my Mom's age when she died. So with that I looked at my life and all my medical conditions which included sleep apnea, high blood pressure, arthritis and even though I love doing outdoorsy things and being active my body just wouldn't allow me too. So it was then, I decided to make a change and become healthier and happier for a better quality of LIFE and for a better FUTURE.
Several years back I had research the Gastric Bypass surgery but after attending a seminar, I found myself a bit frightened by all the possible complications....so you can imagine my surprise when I heard about the Gastric Sleeve, all the same benefits but less complications....I was elated and began the process to a new ME. Unfortunately, even with my health insurance the procedure was not covered; apparently since the procedure is still relatively new, most insurance companies consider it 'experimental' and will not cover it; so I began saving my pennies and finally got enough together to pay for the surgery myself. It wasn't CHEAP but I am confident it will bring me to achieve goals I never even though possible before.
Now to go back a little in time and give you some background on my younger years; I was always the 'fat' girl with the pretty face and all my Friends even to-date are thin and attractive. When I was in High School, my Mom took me to a Doctor who provided me with diet pills and I was normal as long as I took those and I was even a Cheerleader but I was still always the 'base' or in layman's terms, the one who held the 'skinny cute' girls. I can't remember a day when someone did NOT make fun of my weight growing up, which caused me to grow up with 'thick' skin and emotional hardship allowing almost no one to get close to me. I dated men but I always settled because I thought it was my destiny. I did get married and we were happy for about 7 years but eventually divorced after 10, and I think my weight had alot to do with it; after all who wants to be with a 'fatty' with emotional issues. {{sighs}}
So I have to admit that the decision was mainly for health reasons but I am very excited to be 'thin' or at the least 'NORMAL' in size. Before the surgery, my highest weight was 271, the day of my pre-opt appointment I was at 258 and I am hopeful to get to a goal of 160 and possibly a size 8-10. I am NOT expecting to be a 'barbie doll' by no means especially since I've always been more of a 'tom-boy' at heart. But I do love to ride my Harley Davidson, go to the beach, swimming and just having FUN all-around and I am very anxious and eager to see what the next several months bring. Oh and I'm addicted to TATTOOs and I have a few piercings too. ;)
I hope you enjoyed my story and I will update it as often as I can because if my LIFE experiences can help just ONE person to make a drastic change in their life than it was all worth baring my soul. Remember one thing: Everyone deserves happiness and everyone is BEAUTIFUL because BEAUTY is NOT just skin deep!! Love yourself and others will LOVE you too!! It is better to be HATED for who you are than to be LOVED for who you are NOT!! ;)~
