just began the journey

[loving.life 110]

I am 45 and started having trouble with weight after having my kids. I finally bit the bullet and at 220 5'1" had lap band on sept 2012, by sept 2013 i was at 175 but struggling not to start gaining weight back. I was tired of working out and still being what i considered fat. So in Dec i had my band removed and yesterday i had gastric. In the months i had got back to 190 and i knew i wasnt going to be successful with the band.. so i had to try again. I fell sellfish sometimes on what im putting myself through just to be thin, then i remind myself it was for my health as well.

Today i fell sore and yuk but i know it will pass. I keep reminding myself how much better life will be.. hope to hear some of yalls stories, it helps me right now

[slowtogo 301]

Loving- you are not alone. We are here fire you. In a short time you will start feeling better. Just sip sip sip . You got this -!

[loving.life 110]

Im doing that now.. liquid meds make me feel bad.. i hope Water helps

[terry1118 1,274]

I have been overweight since the birth of my twins in 1986. A few years later I gained even more with my second pregnancy. Over the following years I lost 50lbs w/WW - gained it back plus some, I lost 75lbs w/Atkins - gained it back plus some, and I lost 80lbs w/Optifast - and gained it back plus some. Last winter I was 233lbs (I'm only 5' tall). My back, knees, hips, and feet were killing me. I couldn't do anything without getting winded. I was on my feet all day at my job (I'm a bank teller) and it was getting hard to get through my pain-filled workdays. I'd come home and sit on the couch. I'd eat, thinking it would give me energy. I was pre-diabetic, on high cholesterol meds, and my blood pressure was beginning to edge upwards. I couldn't button my coat, I had only one pair of pants amd a couple shirts that fit for work, and one pair of jeans for home. They were getting uncomfortably tight. I bought things to wear whose only criteria were that 'they fit' but for an obese short person they were hard to find. My husband is a body-builder who is amazingly fit for a man his age. I was embarrassed to be out with him - not embarrassed BY him but embarrassed FOR him. He enjoys riding his motorcycle which I hadn't been able to fit on on years. One time I saw a big woman who had 'back boobs' and I asked my hubby if I looked like that from behind. He told me not to ask questions if I didn't really want to know the answer - which was answer enough. I was depressed and miserable - I couldn't imagine getting through the rest of the years of my life feeling this way, and getting bigger... and bigger... and bigger. And probably eventually dying at a comparatively young age.

My boss had the lap band and did well with it. I started to ask him questions. When I found out that our health insurance would pay for WLS providing you met certain criteria, I talked to my PCP about it. He thought I would be a good candidate and got me into the informational seminar. There I learned all about the options and the statistics for each one. I chose RNY because it had the highest long-term success rate, and it virtually reversed certain obesity related health issues. I did a lot of online research but couldn't find anything bad about it. Even people who suffered complications did not regret the surgery. My insurance company strongly suggested finding an experienced surgeon because, as they clearly stated, there is definitely a 'learning curve'. I chose to have my surgery at a center for excellence where they have performed this surgery over 4000 times. Their complication rate was almost nonexistent. They set up all my appointments and worked to fit them into my schedule. I had my surgery on 5/30/13. No complications, minimal pain, quick recovery. To date I have lost 102 pounds - I weigh 131lbs. I feel great, am off meds, all my aches and pains are gone and I'm healthy. My clothes fit and I look good. I'm enjoying shopping for nice things. I can do things with my husband - we did a motorcyle run for 'Toys for Tots' in October. I'm living life instead of being a spectator. I'm happy!

[KittyKat848 93]

Terry -- what a great inspirational story!! Thanks for sharing it.

[loving.life 110]

Outstanding story! I needed that!