CalsMom

I have always been heavy. Always. I have never known what its like to purchase clothes in another department at a store that wasn't "plus" or "women's world."  I remember back to school shopping with friends in Jr/Sr High and they were trying on size 2. For crying out loud! That is NOT A SIZE! That's how many they have left, in my world!
In 1996, shortly after my mother died from ovarian cancer, I found myself-23 yrs old, a smoker, over weight and struggling with my mother's death-diagnosed with type II diabetes. Suprised? Nope. Both of my parents are type II. One parent=50% chance of being type II. I was destined for it.
Shortly after that, I met my husband. I had quit smoking and yes, gained weight. We married in 1998 and I was 200 lbs. During our dating, I shared with him that I just didn't want to pass my genetics on. It wasn't fair to any child. I wanted to adopt. I know many have a huge, burning desire to give birth and recreate and I didn't have that. Not that I didn't want to have a family or experience being a mom. Lucky me-I think I found the one man on the planet that didn't need to have his genes passed on to feel like a dad.
We adopted our son through the Nebraska Children's Home Society (www.nchs.org) in 2000. We are in an open adoption, which is our passion to promote and educate about. Our son has a wonderful relationship (and so do we) with his birthmom and birthdad and their families. We keep in very close contact. We are friends, and family, and we wouldn't have it any other way.  His adoption will never be a secret from him, it is not a hush-hush situation like closed adoptions from years ago.
Ok, fast forward to 2011. My weight has been creeping up since our son was born. His first year of life, I gained 12 lbs. I hadn't stepped on the treadmill that whole year. Ugh. I went to the Dr. in July, 2011 and the scale read: 245. OMG! NO WAY! It was a shock and it shouldn't have been.  I have experienced no diabetic problems-bad circulation, poor eyesight, etc. And my A1C had just dropped 2.0! But there was a cost-the weight kept packing on. It was time to get serious help. A serious tool. 
I went to a seminar hosted by Surgical Associates, P.C. at St. Elizabeth's Med Center last week. Nice to know the hospital is a Center for Excellence for bariatric surgeries.  I have paperwork to complete before my first consult appointment .  I am nervous, anxious, excited, everything! I really want the assistance the lap band can give me.