lisafrommassachusetts

I am 61 years old;  professional, married for 34 years;  I have 2 grown children (32 and 30).  My weight has not always been an issue, really quite the opposite until about 35, then slowly put some weight on.  When I quit smoking 12 years ago it started to really go up, add in menopause, hypo-thyroid diagnosed about 10 years ago, sedentary job, arthritic knees and I woke up at nearly 260 pounds!  My doctor had a long, sobering chat with me, after watching me lose 20, gain 25, lose 30, gain 35, lose 10, gain 12... you get the idea.  He had taken the time to review all the losses followed by gains in the last 10 years or so;  he had some literature on the low likelihood of successfully dieting and maintaining, explained how that was even harder for someone my age.  He also talked about the statistical unlikeliness of my seeing 80 at this weight, and he also told me the likelihood of me being a healthy 70 year old at this weight was about zero.  He talked to me about looking into surgery, and here I am.  I am really looking forward to our retirement in the coming years, I love to travel, am lucky to be married to a great guy and have my fingers crossed that I'll get grandchildren pretty soon!  

I'm simultaneously terrified and energized.  

6 MONTHS UPDATE!  I've lost a little over 60 pounds since  my highest weight, and 50 since surgery.  I'm feeling happy, healthy and strong, except for the whole 2020 is the worst year in history.  Thought I'd do a before and after;  the before is from a wedding in 2019, the after is yesterday on a 5 mile easy hike with my husband.