1st appt set for 3/10/14

[terry1118 1,274]

Welcome! This site is great for support and tips of all kind. :-)

I started my journey last year. I began my weight problem after my first pregnancy 28 yrs ago and my weight climbed from there. I lost 50 lbs w/Weight Watchers and gained it back plus some, I lost 75lbs w/Atkins and gained it back plus some, and I lost 80lbs w/Optifast and gained it back plus some. I was miserable - I had back, knee, and foot pain, I was on meds for high cholesterol. I snored terribly and got winded climbing the stairs. I hurt all the time, found it hard to make it through my workday, and sat on the couch all the time. I had no energy and ate to try to feel better which didn't work. I was addicted to sugar and devoured anything sweet. I was constantly buying sweet crap, eating it, and hiding any evidence from my hubby. I was steadily gaining weight - I was only 5' tall and weighed 233. I had one pair of pants, one pair of jeans, and several tops that fit, barely (Size 22 & 2X). My hubby is a body builder in excellent health and I was embarrassed to go out with him. I was embarrassed for him to be seen with me (but he didn't seem to mind). I avoided cameras and was just a spectator in my own life as I watched everyone else have fun. If something didn't change I could see nothing but misery and suffering in my future, followed by an early death.

My manager had WLS and while talking to him about it I began to think it might be for me. I found out that my insurance would pay for the surgery so I started the process. I had surgery on May 30, 2013. I didn't have a weight loss goal and my doctor didn't set one for me. My only goal was to be healthy, active, and feel good, which only took a few months to achieve. Looking better was purely a bonus. To date I have lost 105lbs. I feel great! I can do anything without pain. I'm wearing a size 8 or 10 and a small in tops. Life is good! I don't regret the surgery for even a second!

My advice to anyone starting out would be: follow your own doctor's program. All of us have slightly different instructions but follow your own as closely as you can and you will be successful. As someone already said, don't compare your weight loss to another's. We are all different. There are many different factors to consider and comparing yourself to others will only make you unhappy. Celebrate your successes. Not just the ones on the scale but also the personal ones. Things like being able to paint your own toes, walking farther than you used to, not needing medication, etc. Things that make you happy. Celebrate them, no matter how small they might seem! You worked hard for them!

[bellagirl1025 10]

Thank you so much!!! Yes, I agree by comparing yourself to others is not the way to go or even think about. I have had so many struggled my whole life with my weight. I don't want to be dead before 40 or disabled because of a stroke. I am so excited to be doing this, taking control FINALLY!!! I am elated to be surrounded by all of this support and knowledge. Thank you so much!!!