ttparks56

Hi!  My name is Twanda, and I am a 35 year old single parent to an awesome teenage daughter.  I am in the beginning stages of my weight loss journey, which hasn't been easy.  I have dealt with weight issues since I was 13 years old.  That was the year that I gained 28 lbs during the summer, which was due to inactivity/boredom.  I was 183 lbs at 13 years old, and my weight has continually gone up since then. 
In 2016, I visited my sister/nieces in North Carolina.  While there,  we I decided to visit a local amusement park.  I got on a roller coaster (used to be my fave ride) and buckled myself in.  Before the ride took off, an attendant came to me and had to snap me in.  Even though it was a short movement, I realized I was at the point that my weight was affecting me more than I thought, and it was time to make a change.
I thought about bariatric surgery since 2014, but took steps to have VSG surgery in 2016.  After going through the process of nutritionist visits and for insurance, I was approved for surgery by my insurance.  I wasn't ready, and chickened out of the surgery.  High blood pressure, joint/foot pain, problems sleeping, and the number on the scale continually rising on the scale (highest weight 294 lbs) pushed me to restart the process of insurance of approval in 2017.  
I have been relatively quiet about the surgery before it occurred.  When I discussed the surgery with some friends and family, comments were skepticism,  statements that I was taking the easy way out, statements that I didn't really need the surgery, etc.  The true positive that I received came from my sister, who was happy that I was taking a step to have a healthier and happier life :-)  ( I LOVE my sister!)  Since the surgery (at this time 13 days ago), I have people who truly don't understand the journey which is a little frustrating...well, a LOT frustrating. 
I am happy that I found bariatricpal.com...I will be using this site a LOT for support, ideas, etc. as well as resources that are locally available to me.  I am so happy that I decided to think/take care of myself for a change, and that I get to share this journey with others who understand the struggle as well.  Cheers to being happy and healthy!