brittanyp_vsg

I've wasn't always obese. As a child and teenager, I was at a very healthy weight - particpated in soccer and dance actively, which kept me very fit.
 
I was diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovaries) and Hypothyroidism at the age of 17. At this point, my Primary Care doc told me there was really nothing that could be done. She could start me on some medication to address the PCOS, but that would begin a long long journey of adjustments, additions and weight issues, with no promised successful outcome. I should have listened to her.
 
I went to visit a Metabolic Specialist at this time, where I was diagnosed as Insulin Resistant. This doctor promised me that he could help my slight weight gain with Metformin. So, then the journey began. Well as the years went on, the medications began to pile on as well as the weight. Slowly but surely, I gained about 90 pounds over the next 7 years. 
 
The following is a list of medications that I have been on at some point in the last 7 years:
 
Metformin
Glumetza
Byetta
Victoza
Bydureon
Farxiga
Antarra
Phentermine
Presciption strength Fish Oil
 
At the age of 21, I was consuming 6 pills (including Vitamin D3, B12 and MegaRed) a day along with daily injections. I weighed 250 pounds and heading towards a long road of depression and anxiety.
 
Through all of this, I was dieting probably 70% of the time. I've always loved working out, so that was already a natural part of my routine. I walked everywhere while on campus, would run the lakes at night with my girlfriends, attend Yogalates classes, P90X at the sorority house - you name it! I was there. 
 
So all of these efforts, how could I keep gaining weight?
 
I'm 100% convinced that by taking that first recommended dose of Metformin my body went into defense mode, as my original doctor said it would, and began fighting every other medication that my metabolic doctor would add to it. Nothing would get in sync with each other - like none of my medications were letting the other know that they could help out!
 
So, here I am at 25 years old. I was on the way to my 4-month check up with my doc, and I passed the Weight Loss Surgical Center. I began to wonder how WLS could help me?
 
When my doc reviewed my blood panel with me, she revealed that my insulin levels were 5x were they should be. I was borderline diabetic, and my pancreas was working in overdrive, signaling it would soon be done. My cholesterol and triglycerides were high as well. At this point, I asked her if she thought WLS would help me, and she said she absolutely and referred me to my doctor.
 
Upon my first consultation, my surgeon told me that WLS would not only help me lose the weight, but would CURE my insulin resistance. I'd immediately be able to stop my medications too. To me, it was a no brainer.
 
Thankfully, I had surgery on April 29, 2015. So far, it has been the easiest and best decision I've ever made for myself. I can't believe I spent so many years allowing myself to be unhappy and out of control, when this was always the best option. I had to experience the worst of times, and gain almost 100 pounds to be a candidate, but I have  no doubt that surgery saved my life.
 
I cannot wait to see what the rest of this journey has in store for me. I pray I can support others and maybe let them know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I'm finally seeing that.