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About Me
I was looking for a bariatric surgery support group in my area and came up empty. Then the online search sent me to Bariatric Pal and I'm happy to be here! 😁
Six years ago, I attended a seminar at my local hospital about bariatric surgery options because I was very interested in the lap band and the fact that they have a reputation for doing things quickly. The surgeon told me (in front of everyone) that I wasn't the candidate for it because I needed something "faster". He proceeded to tell me that I needed to "get sexy" to feel better about myself and he'd "see me sexy" in six months. He made my skin crawl. 🤮 I noped out and instead decided to begin a weight loss program through the hospital.
My first induction appointment I was told that someone my size should first consider weight loss surgery because I wouldn't do well on the program. Interestingly, the program began as an accompaniment to weight loss surgery, but most patients didn't want to attend. So, they began offering it to the public. I was very excited about it and paid a small fortune for the luxury of being included. It was all liquid and called New Direction. I met with a coach once a week and met with a group once a week. I was on it for a year and lost over 100 lbs. Then when I plateaued for a full month, they asked me to move to Maintenance for 6 months because I didn't "look like a success story". They told me that when folks came in, they wanted to see people who were done with it after a year, not people who looked like they needed a few more years of it. Most folks needed to loose 50-75 lbs., whereas I needed to lose 200+. I agreed to move to Maintenance and asked to be moved to the Maintenance group. The coach said I wasn't a good fit there because I hadn't reached my goal. They basically said, "Come back in 6 months and start over".
I was devastated. 😞 I felt like a complete failure. I'd lost more than 100 lbs., but felt really unsupported and alone. So, I quit. And gained back 80 lbs. over the next 2 years through Covid and everything.
I finally decided last year that this was it and I was ready to make a permanent change. I knew I couldn't deal with the surgeon who heads the program at my local hospital because I didn't want to "get sexy", I wanted to make changes.
I reached out to another program and they have been wonderful! They take a very slow approach and take it very seriously. The education was fantastic and the surgeon seems genuinely interested in my success.
I'm a little loud and boisterous. I was Class Clown in high school. 🤡 I'm very enthusiastic and have best been described as "hilarious" because I'm quick with a pun/comeback. I'm loyal to a fault. My husband 😋 and kids are my life.
Above all else in my life, I am a Child of God and I love Jesus.