Hey everyone. My name is Eleni, I'm 34 years old and my surgery date for my gastric bypass is today! Yay! I've had a rough time sleeping tonight, mind isn't stopping. Excitement, nervousness etc.
My story, I have been overweight as long as I can remember. Even looking back at photos from kindergarten I was large. My entire family on my mothers side is overweight. I've always worked out, watched what I ate, but nothing worked. I've had so many tests to determine if there is a thyroid issue or diabetes etc, but always negative. I can't even remember the last time I was even around 200 lbs. I was well over that in high school despite playing sports etc. Now after having a kid in 2002, marriage life etc, I capped at 372 in 2011. And I stared at the scale in disbelief. There was no way I weighed that much! But alas, as many stories go, I did. And I can say that was a turning point for me.
I started reading up on weigh loss surgery, and initially was on the fence. At that point I approached my mom and was talking to her about it and she talked me out of it. Making the typical points of Im still young, I can do this myself etc. (Now everyone in my family is larger than I am, with my mom the largest at that time).
So with that I started dieting again, exercising. Despite my efforts I ended up being diagnosed within a year of the following with high blood pressure, back and knee issues, fatty liver, fatigue and depression.
The following year, my mom tells me she has decided to have the gastric bypass.
I was excited for her. I was a bit upset at the same time. But i understood the reasons why she decided to do it and fully supported her. I mean, reality check...I was staring at myself in 30 years.
Anyways, I started the journey myself to work towards the surgery as well. Mine took 2 years longer as I had to get in an insurance that covered it. At my appointment with the nutritionist I weighed in at 356.3 and I'm now down to 325. Just a few hours away from checking in.
I had several issues come up and I honestly have had to work extremely hard to get this. And btw my mom is now 2 years post op and down 150lbs very proud of her! And she's now one of my biggest supporters.
It's amazing how things can take a turn, but they happen for a reason.
Sorry for the rambling. Wish me luck! I'm going to go finish packing.
