LaurasJourney

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[font="verdana, geneva, sans-serif"][size=3]I have always been overweight but once I went to college it got out of control. I ate myself to a very unhealthy point. I suffered from high blood pressure, back pain and GERD all due to my obesity. I was blessed to find out that I was pregnant in march of 2011 after a year of trying to conceive. I was considered a high risk pregnancy because of my morbid obesity. I was diagnosed with super imposed preeclampsia and had to be induced at 36 weeks. During the induction I had to be put on magnesium which crossed over to the baby. This caused her to be born a lazy breather an required oxygen for the first 5 days of her life. It was in this moment of looking at this beautiful miracle that I knew that I had to change my life immediately. I spoke with my Dr. and asked to be referred for a lap band. I got an appointment with the surgeon about 6 months after I had the baby. After talking with him I decided to get gastric bypass. 1. because he doesn't do the lap band anymore (too many people needed to have it removed later on). 2. Because of my GERD (can get worse with the sleeve). I was very scared because I didn't like the idea of having my digestive tract redirected. Once I made the decision the process of education began. I have Tricare (military insurance) and they required me to attend 1 support group meeting, 2 nutrition classes, 1 one-on-one appt with nutritionist, 2 wellness center evaluations, a wellness class, a seminar about weight loss surgery and a psychological evaluation (3 appts total). This whole process took me about 3 months to complete and then I was given my surgery date. My Gastric Bypass was done on August 6, 2012. That was the day my life was saved. Saved from the mess that I had gotten myself into with my lack of healthy living. The surgery went great and I was discharged on August 8, 2012. The first week was smooth but with the second week came uncontrollable vomiting. As a result of my severe dehydration I was admitted to the hospital and had to stay there for 6 days. That was the hardest week of my life. I started to think that I had made a huge mistake by having the surgery. The last day I was in the hospital my surgeon came in to see me and I was crying uncontrollably He sat down and said tell me what you're thinking. I told him how I felt I made a huge mistake and he reassured me that this sometimes happens. That I need to remember the reason why I did this. And it made me think of my baby girl who makes me want to be the BEST mom possible. A healthy, strong and loving mom. That day when I left the hospital I knew that the journey had officially began. I was about to fight for me and fight hard! My husband has been so beautifully supportive throughout this whole experience and I love him dearly for all that he has done for me. I started walking right after the surgery. Slow but at least 2 miles a day. At my 6 week mark I started going to the gym. This is where my new love of fitness came into my life. 3 months after my surgery I had a gall bladder attack. Anyone who has had that knows that it's the most painful thing ever. I had my gallbladder removed on November 12, 2012. So happy it's gone. My baby girl turned 1 on November 16, 2012 and I was feeling great (even with just having another surgery). I got right back into the gym and haven't looked back. My starting weight was 257. I am a new me. I have so much energy, happier than I've ever been and loving life. I am so excited for each day and the changes that I see in myself. Weight loss surgery is NOT for everyone. Educate yourself before you make the decision to do this. And it's NOT a cure for obesity, it is simply a tool. You must work HARD at it and make a huge lifestyle change. I don't look at food the way that I used to. It's now just fuel for me. I am so blessed with all that I have accomplished and can't wait to keep living. [/size][/font]