My story and what led me to the Gastric Sleeve.

[KarenKaye 16]

I am a married, 49 year old new mom. To a 12 year old. I never had a weight problem until I was in my 20's. I got into an abusive marriage that lasted for 5 long agonizing years. I was told I was fat ( I weighed 150 when we married), I was worthless and nobody else would ever want me. I had black eyes, bruised ribs and had a gun held to my head on several occasions. When you go through that, daily, you start to believe it. I gave up on myself. In those 5 years, I turned to food. It never let me down or disappointed me. I had gained 60 lbs by the time I got out of that marriage. Then I met my current husband. He is everything my ex was not. He was a little overweight but, hey, so was I. He never ridiculed me he was kind and supportive and loved me for me. So a couple of years later we married. Two years in we found out we couldn't have children. I was devastated. Once again I turned to food. That was 15 years ago. About 12 years ago we were both approved for gastric bypass surgery. Before we could get it scheduled, our insurance quit covering it. Fast forward to January, 2013. We get a phone call at about 3am that my little sister was gone. She'd had a massive heart attack. (It runs in the family). She was only 44 and was my very best friend in the whole world. She left behind a husband and a 10 year old son. The husband wasn't able to take care of her son due to his addictive nature and the state took over care of her son. My husband and got custody a year ago and just last month the adoption was final. So I finally became a mom. we couldn't be happier. He is such a blessing and an inspiration to us. Now it's time to get healthy so we can be here for him. On Tuesday July 14th both of us got the gastric sleeve. We are committed and dedicated to getting healthy and being here for our son. By the time I made it to surgery my BMI was 49. My husbands was 62. We have quite the journey ahead of us, but we're up for the challenge and like everything else for the past 17 years, we're doing it together.

[linzlou2000 193]

Best wishes!

[The Candidate 3,215]

It sounds like you've had a very traumatic past and I'm so glad you've gotten a second chance at so many things, marriage, adoption, and now health. You have an incredible future ahead of you I'm sure!

[dcmoore56 10]

Looks like a new life together. But it is together. It sounds wonderful

[choosehope 233]

Wishing you all the best!

[laura4923 137]

Wishing you all the best!!

[Nickyspencer 21]

Karen....you are an inspiration to us all...you doing it girl!!! Keep up the good work and we will be praying for both of you!!

[RaginCajun 177]

Past abusive ex will get his due. Karma works like that.

That you are on this journey and will be successful after all he did to you, proves he is a coward and you are brave.

-RC-

[jane13 2,256]

@@KarenKaye - teamwork and love will win! You guys "got this" -

what a great story to hear (sad, losing your sister) but still its nice to hear REAL life stories of people overcoming the odds.

Congrats to all three of you!