Liz-NY

I have always battled with a weight issue for as long as I can remember.  My weight would go way up, then way down.  I lost 100 lbs TWICE!  Gained it all back TWICE!!   Finally I kept it off exersizing 5 days a week, 2  & 1/2 hours a day .  I kept it off using this routine for a few years.   Then I became sick.  Undiagnosed  Lyme disease and multiple complications left me fatigued, almost disabled.  Hormone medications added weight faster than what seemed humanly possible.  The Lyme kept me down and out for almost a year.  By the time it was diagnosed, there was significant damage to my joints.  I could barely walk, none the less exersize.  My weight balloned to 280 lbs and I was virtually inactive. Without exersizing, I was never going to get the weight off.  I spent two years trying everything I could to take it back off.  But to no avail. 
I finally decided if I wanted to get my life back, I was going to have to take drastic measures.  I went to a bariatric seminar and knew immedialty this was the answer to get me kick started back to health.  I needed some way to get the weight off, then I could work on getting back to the gym.  I had my surgery in January of 2011.  It is now July 2011 and I am down 80 lbs.  I have since completed a regiment of knee injections to replace the lost "cushion" between my two leg bones from the lyme damage.  For the first time in 2 1& 1/2 years I am able to jump up out of a chair and walk with a strong stride.  I hope to get back to the gym very soon.  The last injection was only recently completed or I would be back trying it again.   And to my surprise, it was not the "drastic measure" I thought it was going to be.
I am FINALLY  beginning to feel like my old self again.  It's been a long time waiting to wear nice clothes.  Even longer to move with ease!   The surgery has its challenges.  And there are times I would LOVE to eat some of my old favorite foods.  But I wouldn't trade it for the world!   It really did give my life back!  I can do things I wasn't able to do at that size.  I fit in chairs again and have noticed a new "attention" from people.  Not the old scornful looks you tend to get when you are heavy!People who DONT have a weight issue, dont understand and seem to think we are all just over eaters and lazy.  NOT TRUE!  
I love fitting into society again.  I love blending in to a crowd!  Did you ever think you would just want to blend in?  If you are heavy, you know exactly what I mean!   Im very happy with my surgery and it's outcome.  I think the hardest part was taking the 10% of my body weight off before the surgery.  The rest of it has been a learning experience every day.   lol  But one Im very thankful to have!