SistaD
4/2/07
Like many others on this site, I have been overweight since I was a child. Growing up, I kind of got used to it. I did get some teasing, but I was generally well liked and could make friends quickly. I'm the classic over-achiever and have always succeeded in everything I do - except for the weight issue. Coming from a hispanic, low-income family didn't help the food choices either. We were never taught about eating healthy or portion control.
I've always felt healthy and capable of doing anything. Sadly, I was lying to myself. I'm now 28 and I've realized that all this extra baggage is going to kill me. I've been married now 4 and a half years to a wonderful man who supports me and loves me in whatever I do - he always has. It has been during these four years that I've developed aches and pains that I did not used to have as a teenage/early 20s overweight person. I've also had limitations that I didn't have when i was younger. There are so many things I would love to do and I know my weight is holding me back.
I guess my wake up call came when a gentleman(not anyone I knew) walked into my office and I happened to be the only one in at the time. No one else was around. He had some legitimate "work" questions, but then it got awkward when he leaned over to me very closely and whispered, "Your're a beautiful girl." I thought to myself, oh great, how quickly can I dial 911 or swing my phone at him if he tries anything. He went on and said, "You know, my daughter had that gastric bypass surgery and you look like you would be a good candidate. You're so pretty and it's not your fault. It's probably genetic." Well, I didn't know whether to cry, yell, or kick the guy out, but I was in total shock. But being the good Christian girl that I am, I just listened patiently to him and nodded my head in a polite manner. When he left the office I just laughed and then cried. I could not believe he just told me that.
I learned a lot about myself after that day. I realized that even though I felt I'd never be able to do anything about my weight that I was wrong. I had heard about WLS, but thought it was too drastic. I thought, I'm fully capable of walking and excersicing if I really wanted to. I thought WLS was for really sick overweight people, not me. Boy was I wrong!
After lurking on the OH site I realized that there was something I could do about it and the Lap Band seemed so much safer to me and well, more affordable since I'm going to have to self pay. After explaining everything to my husband, he had a lot of questions and concerns, but like I mentioned earlier; he supported me. The money was a big issue for me. Where would it come from? My husband said, "I know you. Once you set your mind on something, you're going to do it. You'll find a way." He is so right.
It has now been 7 months since the encounter with my office visitor and I hope to have my lap band surgery during the summer. Hopefully before June. I thank God for being with me every step of the way and for opening this door of opportunity for more life change.
