carrieanna_vsg

Hello! My name is Carrie. I'm 24 years old, and live in East Tennesse, right at the entrance of the beautiful Great Smoky Mountain National Park. I have been overweight from my early elementary school years all the way into my twenties. I was a very active child though, so the weight didn't pile on until after my sophomore year of high school when I quit sports and focused on academics that the weight gain jumped to about 35 lbs per year. Throw in having Hypothyroidism and PCOS, and it seemed impossible to lose weight. My mom was a nightshift nurse at our local hospital, and saw the effects weight loss surgery had on patients (at the time of course Gastric Bypass was the norm and only option), and told me I will never have the surgery, and to just work out real hard and eat healthy. About a year of working out 5-6 days a week and watching my calories super closely, I lost 11 lbs... yeah... 11 lbs. After that I was so discouraged, I just gave up. I ate basically whatever I wanted (not always bad, but not always good), and then soon after landed a good job that was sedentary. I then found myself a 24 year old that weighed 400 lbs. Swollen legs, severe sleep apnea and a defeated spirit. One of my best friends had the Gastric Sleeve done, and urged me to research it. After lots of research (and my mom's approval as a medical professional), I went to my first seminar. The nurses and surgeon were so encouraging and helpful. I made my consultation appointment September 13th 2015, and had surgery May 13th 2016. It was quite a journey those months in between. Weigh-ins, changed surgeons two months prior to surgery and had to resubmit my case to insurance and lots of tears and prayers later... here I am! Living and learning on this new journey of health. I can't praise the Lord enough for the past two months... 70 lbs. down and dropping. My sleeve has been an amazing tool and key to my success. This is my journey, and I'm enjoying the road!