Taking Control of My Health...first steps

[Stormie 0]

Hello! I am new to this forum. I have decided that I can’t win this weight battle on my own. I need help as I am convinced that I am doing great harm to my health.

A few months ago, I knew nothing about banding. I’d heard about gastric bypass but I never really thought of myself as “that overweight” (by the way, I am) and focused on being a failed dieter. I gave up dieting. I only gained the weight back after killing myself to lose it. No more WW, Nutrisystem, Atkins, South Beach, and so on. I’d lose weight with a great deal of effort and gain it back the minute I felt a modicum of success.

I learned that I was pre-diabetic about three years ago. Blood fasting sugars about 120 each day. Pre-diabetic – well heck..that’s not so bad. I mean, I am not truly diabetic I told myself. Of course today, that number has jumped to 182 some days. But still under 200! I am not REALLY diabetic! Right? Wrong!

I was seeing the gastro doc because I have developed “fatty liver disease”. Isn’t that a pretty name for a disease? Hey folks, I have fatty liver disease (but remember, I am not diabetic, only pre-diabetic!). So now let’s count my co-morbidities – pre-diabetes (just had my Metformin dose increased to 4 tabs), high cholesterol, high blood pressure (just doubled that dose) and fatty liver (my daily martini has changed to an occasional glass of wine but I haven’t stopped eating like a Viking. (no offense to any Vikings out there). What a mess I’ve become. And every visit to the doctors – PCP or specialist, ends with “if you could just lose 10 lbs…”

Incidentally, my BMI is 41 and I am 5’7. I wear a 20 to 22 and 1X to 2X. I am a big girl and have been for most of my 58 years though never as big as I am right now. My husband loves me no matter what size I happen to be thank goodness but I know that he wants me to live a long time and that he is worried I will not.

My gastro doc mentioned that if by the next time I saw him, I did not lose some weight, I should consider surgery. I think that was the dose of reality I have been waiting for since hearing I was “pre-diabetic” a couple of years ago. This time the words were not as softened as the word “pre” softened diabetes. It was just out there. You are obese and are unable to lose weight and you will die if you don’t change things. After feeling totally shocked that he recognized that I could not fight this battle without help, I began to research my options and found myself here on this website lurking every evening and reading all of your thoughts, prayers, concerns, and successes.

When I read between the lines of what you all write however, I see HOPE. You all share hope that things will be better and can be better with a little help. I’d reached the point that there was no hope anymore but now, thanks to you and my gastro doctor, I can see that even at my age, there can be a future without obesity.

So, I have taken control of my health and have decided to be banded. I attended the Weight Loss Information Session at Brigham’s and Women’s in early Dec. I scheduled my consultation with Dr Ali Tavakkolizadeh for Jan 21 along with the Nutritionist that day. I have an appt with Dr. Cynthia Worth end of Jan for my weight management behavioral evaluation. I have called Aetna and learned that I am covered for 80% and that there is a 3 month and a 6 month program. I am not sure yet what the difference is between the two programs but most certainly would prefer the 3 month one. I saw my PCP last week and asked for my medical records. All of these appointments were scheduled within one day with little effort. I take it as a sign that success is in my future.

Thanks for reading my story. If anyone has experience with Dr Tav, Dr Worth or Faulkner Hospital which is where Dr Tav does this surgery, please write.

My thoughts are with all of you fighting this fight.

[SunnyRachel 7]

Stormie,

I wish you a smooth pre-op process. You are doing the right thing...and that is being honest with yourself about your weight.

Your first paragraph sounded like one I've written before... never thought I was that heavy...never thought I was in the danger zone. I messed around with serious back issues though to the point of crippling pain before I just said, "OKAY!!! I GET IT!!"

So here you are... and each step is going to get you to a healthier place. Congratulations! I look forward to seeing you around here!

[Stormie 0]

Thank you SunnyRachel, for both your words of encouragement and for taking the time to welcome me through the door! I can see that you made the right decision and applaud your commitment to success. I will pay your kindness forward once my story unfolds. Warm regards to you.