MedinahMongo

My story...where to begin...

My struggle with weight started when I was very young. My mother had me on some sort of diet or another from the time I was about 10 because I had high triglycerides. I was very active from about 7'th grade until I was 18 and started driving. Before I got my driver's license I would bike just about everywhere. When I was about 16 I started working at a grocery store and that is about the time that my bad decisions with food started. I remember buying a box of Swiss Rolls and eating the entire box for lunch. My eating habits continued like that for years and when I started driving the weight gain started.

When I was 24 years old I was diagnosed with diabetes and was in the hospital for about a week while doctors got my blood sugar under control. I was put on short and long acting injectable insulin as soon as I left the hospital. I met with a dietitian immediately after being discharged who told me that as long as I took enough insulin, I could eat whatever I wanted....I know now that I shouldn't have listened to her. When I was 30 I tried being a vegan, I cut all animal product out of my life and it really agreed with me. I lost about 40 pounds and stopped taking injectable insulin altogether. That lasted about a year and I found that when I was stressed out I would crave meat. It didn't take long before I was eating meat again and it was almost like my body was determined to make up for lost time. Once I was eating meat again (mostly McDonalds) I was back on Lantus and Byeatta.

Last November while reviewing my Annual Enrollment documents I saw that one of the plans offered covered bariatric surgery, I enrolled in that plan on the off chance that I'd go through with surgery. I happened to mention to a friend that I was considering it and he recommended going through with the gastric sleeve. He had the procedure done about 2 years prior and it was very successful. After speaking to my wife about it we decided to go to the information session to learn more about the process. Going through the whole process I was amazed at the breakthroughs that I had. I now look at my bad eating habits as an addiction and it is a struggle every day to make the right choices.

Last week I was informed that my insurance approved my surgery and it is now scheduled for October 8'th. I am both scared and excited about having the surgery; this is going to be a huge change. I found a support group in my area that meets once a month and I will begin attending those meetings this month. I am preparing for my post-surgery life and the month that I am off work to recover I am going to make sure I make a solid foundation for good habits. I plan on a daily workout routine and will be more planful with my eating.

It seems that half my life has been spent revolving around food, I'm very curious to see what happens with all of that extra time.