Littledog

[font=trebuchet ms, helvetica, sans-serif]My Dr. told me some years ago, that my weight would someday affect my way of life. But my husband and family loved me and supported unconditionally, so I mostly didn't think about it. Until we bought the NEW BOAT. Previously, I was sure that the reason I couldnt climb up the back ladder into the old boat was that the ladder wasn't long enough. No, nada. I found out that even with a great ladder and swim platform, [b]I[/b] was the reason I couldn't drag myself up that ladder. The thing my husband and I loved the most, taking the boat out and anchoring in cove and diving into the lake, was not an option for me. That realization weighed on my mind for over a year. And there were other things I could no longer do. Crossing my legs, buying clothes in any old store, or sit in lawn chairs (those puny white plastic ones were the worst!). The next summer I visited my Dr. for a routine check-up. Of course my weight was up (why do they insist on weighing you every visit?). The Dr. said point blank, "Why don't you have lap band surgery and get this weight off for once and for all". [/font]
[font=trebuchet ms, helvetica, sans-serif]We are by no means rich people, not even a little bit.[/font]
[font=trebuchet ms, helvetica, sans-serif]I checked with my insurance carrier and they didn't pay for any kind of weight loss surgery. So my husband and I gave the procedure a lot of thought. Here is what we decided. Yes, the surgery is expensive, yes, there are risks but we felt like this could save my life. At 350 lbs, I was close to a wheelchair and knee surgery. I was on blood pressure medicine. [/font]
[font=trebuchet ms, helvetica, sans-serif]But I have too much to live for. What's the price of a life? The cost of the surgery seemed managable when we thought about the alternatives. [/font]
[font=trebuchet ms, helvetica, sans-serif]I had surgery the first part of Oct. in 2010. Yes, we had to take out a loan, and yes, we are still paying on it. Surgery was a cinch. No problems then and no problems since. I'm not to my goal weight yet, but I've lost 120 lbs and am still losing. [/font]
[font=trebuchet ms, helvetica, sans-serif]I feel like I have my life back.. I can walk in any store and buy a shirt. I can cross my legs. But the best part? [/font]
[font=trebuchet ms, helvetica, sans-serif]You guessed it. I CAN CLIMB THE LADDER AND GET IN THE BOAT!! [/font]