HotRod67

Several years ago, I attended a seminar about bariatric surgery and while I was interested, I thought I wasn't prepared to go forward.  Yet, I started telling a few people about the surgery. Various people and especially one of my sisters fed into my hesitation/fear and I eventually talked myself out of it. My husband continued to encourage me that I could do it on my own.



I continued to gain weight. I became less active physically, etc.  Then my weak back finally couldn't handle it any longer and a disc ruptured in my back and the next week, I had surgery.



I said I WOULD NEVER HAVE BACK SURGERY! But, I had no options unless I wanted to remain in a wheelchair . . . with a 2 year-old, a 11 yr old and a 17 yr old? No Thank You! The surgery was a complete success and all my fears were laid to rest by a completely competent and confident surgeon.



Fast forward to 2011 . . . . I went to a seminar with a friend to support her decision to go forward with bariatric surgery and for the first time I heard about VSG. Holy smokes! Can this surgery be for real? I listened intently to the surgeon who seemed completely COMPETENT AND CONFIDENT. And, I was hooked. I immediately told my husband about VSG and we went for a one-on-one with the surgeon. My husband became a "be-sleever" too! (Is that a new phrase?)



This time around, I have surrounded myself and shared my decision with supporters! No need to tell people that will add fears. I am so at peace with this decision. It feels right and I am so glad I didn't have gastric bypass 6 years ago. Sure, I wish I could've spent the last 6 years as a thinner, healthier person. But, I'm better for this journey because of what I've learned about myself and this process.



I have also joined 3 friends for a weekly gathering where we have our own "support" group meeting basically . . . and we discuss our ups & downs, cravings and victories, and celebrate each other as a Christian sister that is moving forward in different approaches. We're reading a great book that has shed a lot of light on our emotional eating issues and I feel this has already been a tremendous help as I am at the end of my 6-month weight loss monitoring.

 

I hope to have surgery in April, May or June 2012.

 

I increased my physical activity in August 2011 by going to water aerobics 3 days a week and walking for 20 minutes on two other days each week. 

 

I had a slight lull in the exercise during the holidays.  Then in January, I joined a larger gym that offers water aerobics in addition to weights and classes and cardio equipment. 

So, as I await surgery approval, I am doing all I can to make my body stronger and hopefully more resilient once I have surgery.