RoxieRae
I'm a classic case of denial! I have been heavy since 13 and I can remember becoming aware of my weight when I turned 16. I didn't have boyfriends in school or college. sigh... It was ok because I was so busy with other stuff - academics, music, friends, clubs, etc. I was in denial that I was too busy for a personal life....
After college, I met my husband and life changed. But during all these great goals in life, I stayed FAT! I was just denying the fact that I was overweight. I really didn't think I was that big. When you are young, you don't feel the weight as much as you do when you get older.
When I turned 35, I felt the weight hit me. It hit me like a ton of bricks. My back hurt all the time. Granted I have had two major back injuries but now I am experiencing arthritis and chronic back pain. My knees hurt, my feet hurt, and my body aches. I look like an old lady getting out of bed in the mornings!! OMG!
I work in a professional environment where I have to give presentations on a regular basis. I've never been self conscious but recently I have found myself unable to comfortable speaking in public anymore. I just don't feel that I look professional.
My defining moment happened 1/12/2010. I was attending a meeting where the senior leadership of the company I was consulting for where in attendance as well as about 30 other people. I was sitting in those dreaded plastic chairs with small sides that we barely fit in. It came my turn to introduce myself and speak and when I got up - the chair broke! Sheer terror! When I got up, my hip made the side arm break off and made a loud POP noise. I felt the blood drain from my face.
I'm not sure how I made it through that meeting but I did. After that meeting, I sat in my car and cried for hours - okay maybe 20 mins - but it felt like hours. All of the shame, guilt, hidden feelings I had about my obesity and I finally realized I needed to do something about it.
I immediately started researching about WLS, surgeons, etc. I found OH website. I found so much information that I wondered why it took me so long to reach this decision.
God has been good to me in so many areas of my life! And God has not failed me on this journey either. Thank you God!
I found one of the best surgeons ever - Dr. Keith Boone and he is close to my home. I found so many resources that there is not an excuse for failure.
WLS Seminar - 2/6/10
Psych - 2/9/10
Nutrition - 2/9/10
PCP - 2/11/10
Surgeon 1st visit - 2/22/10
EGD - 3/8/10
Approval - 3/17/10
PreOp Appointment - 4/12/10
Surgery - 4/16/10 (One day before my birthday!!)
I am currently at my highest weight ever - 355! I would like to reach a goal weight of 150 but if I see a "1" in my weight; I would be happy for the rest of my life.
So, in a nutshell, that is my story!
