ThisWeightHasGottaGO!

My weight gain began to steadily increase after high school and I had tried every diet imaginable – Atkins, Weight Watchers, NutriSystem, Cabbage Soup Diet, The Cleanse, etc. – all without lasting effect and they all left me feeling like an even bigger failure. I had considered weight loss surgery before but I was too afraid of the judgement I would face and for the surgery itself. 
 
My life changed in April 2015 when I was told by my primary care physician that I now needed to take a daily medication for diabetes and if I did not make a change soon, I would soon be insulin dependent. I was also suffering from high blood pressure that was borderline needing medication, I was vitamin deficient and I had extremely irregular periods due to my hormone imbalance which made it next to impossible to plan for a baby. In addition to my medical/health problems, I was also suffering from depression, lack of sleep, swollen joints that made it difficult to walk which led to feeling overwhelmingly like a failure which further increased my depression which increased my need to eat. I also felt like an outsider in my own culture – Asian women are not typically overweight.
 
After receiving this diagnosis, I realized that I had hit rock bottom. I needed to take control of my life and make a decision for ME and MY HEALTH. After careful consideration, I decided that the Gastric Sleeve surgery was the best option for me and I am extremely happy with my decision and the results. My surgery was on 9/29/2015 at the Chapman Global Medical Center in Orange County, I weighed 296 lbs. 
 
I was able to leave the hospital the next afternoon and I have felt amazing ever since. I joked with Dr. Bobby, asking him if he really did the surgery because my recovery was so smooth and I was feeling so great but this is expected when you have the best surgeon in the country! Plus, the bill from the anesthesiologist is proof that it did happen :)
 
I was able to stop taking the diabetes medication right after surgery, I now sleep throughout the night without snoring (my husband is very appreciative), my blood pressure is normal and I have regular periods which means my hormones are now in balance. Now, instead of worrying about not being able to plan for a baby, my husband and I are being careful to NOT get pregnant right now in the middle of my weight loss journey! I wake up feeling energized and without pain or discomfort because I am no longer have swelling around my joints and I no longer feel like an outsider in my culture, I am able to embrace it completely without feeling any shame.
 
Today is 3/17/2016, just a few weeks shy of 6 months after surgery, and I weigh 199.6 lbs! I have lost 96.4 lbs!
 
I am very active now – I work out 5 days a week, I eat healthy but most importantly, I am actually LIVING and THRIVING now! This was the best decision I have ever made for my health and it kick started my commitment to myself to be healthy and to use this surgery as a tool to continue to live and thrive for the rest of my life.
 
I cannot say or express enough of my gratitude for Dr. Bobby Bhasker-Rao and his team at Lite Life Surgery Center in Rancho Mirage, CA!  They are with you every step of the way and are an amazing support team!