Chosen Two
Member
Hello all! Since I'm new here, I thought I would introduce myself and get to know all of the fine folks who hang out here.
Like many people here, I have really struggled with my weight for the majority of my life. As luck would have it, my body is exceptionally efficient; always saving calories for a rainy.... primarily in my thighs and bottom. (If we had lived in an era where famine was a real concern, I would have been winning!) And, even though I joke about it, it made me very self conscious and damaged my self esteem. I was always attempting to lose more weight and when I was younger, would often be able to do so in very unhealthy ways. Even when I did lose weight and was considered thin, it was so difficult to stay there...which meant I never actually got to enjoy any of it.
Fast forward a couple decades, four children, several degrees, and a wonderful husband later....there I was - more secure in my life and more insecure with myself. I was at my highest weight (240 pounds at just a little over 5 feet tall) and miserable. I was beat. I was discouraged and so disappointed with myself. I knew something had to change. So, I started researching and considering (and RE-considering) the options available for me. I decided that bariatric surgery may be something that could help me reclaim myself. It took a good year of reading everything I could get my hands on regarding bariatric surgery before I was ready to move forward and schedule my initial appointment in October 2020. (I didn't even tell my husband about it until I had made my mind up!) I spoke with a surgeon and a nutritionist and they both suggested the gastric sleeve. I was scared but excited and completely unaware there was a six month journey ahead just to get to the surgery!
At first I was a bit disappointed with how many requirements I had to check off just to get a surgery I had waited a whole year to decide upon. But, I actually found the journey to be a very positive experience where I was able to learn about nutrition, work toward solid goals, learn more about what I would be doing, and build my own self-confidence. Before I knew it, my surgery date had been set and it was really going to happen!
From October to May 20th, I had lost 35 pounds. So, the morning of my surgery, I weighed in at 215. My surgery went well and my surgeon also corrected a hiatal hernia to boot! Aside from having to hang out in recovery for six hours until a hospital bed opened up, it was a pretty smooth operation. Plus, I ended up getting one of the biggest and nicest hospital beds on the floor
I was able to be released the following day and return home to my new nurses - my husband and daughters. (They even got me a bell to ring for when I needed something.) I took three full weeks off of work and started back to work with limited hours. I just had my one month follow up appointment today and I am down to 194 pounds!
So, that's my surgery story I'm a nutshell. I look forward to getting to know you all and sharing this new journey with you!
Like many people here, I have really struggled with my weight for the majority of my life. As luck would have it, my body is exceptionally efficient; always saving calories for a rainy.... primarily in my thighs and bottom. (If we had lived in an era where famine was a real concern, I would have been winning!) And, even though I joke about it, it made me very self conscious and damaged my self esteem. I was always attempting to lose more weight and when I was younger, would often be able to do so in very unhealthy ways. Even when I did lose weight and was considered thin, it was so difficult to stay there...which meant I never actually got to enjoy any of it.
Fast forward a couple decades, four children, several degrees, and a wonderful husband later....there I was - more secure in my life and more insecure with myself. I was at my highest weight (240 pounds at just a little over 5 feet tall) and miserable. I was beat. I was discouraged and so disappointed with myself. I knew something had to change. So, I started researching and considering (and RE-considering) the options available for me. I decided that bariatric surgery may be something that could help me reclaim myself. It took a good year of reading everything I could get my hands on regarding bariatric surgery before I was ready to move forward and schedule my initial appointment in October 2020. (I didn't even tell my husband about it until I had made my mind up!) I spoke with a surgeon and a nutritionist and they both suggested the gastric sleeve. I was scared but excited and completely unaware there was a six month journey ahead just to get to the surgery!
At first I was a bit disappointed with how many requirements I had to check off just to get a surgery I had waited a whole year to decide upon. But, I actually found the journey to be a very positive experience where I was able to learn about nutrition, work toward solid goals, learn more about what I would be doing, and build my own self-confidence. Before I knew it, my surgery date had been set and it was really going to happen!
From October to May 20th, I had lost 35 pounds. So, the morning of my surgery, I weighed in at 215. My surgery went well and my surgeon also corrected a hiatal hernia to boot! Aside from having to hang out in recovery for six hours until a hospital bed opened up, it was a pretty smooth operation. Plus, I ended up getting one of the biggest and nicest hospital beds on the floor
I was able to be released the following day and return home to my new nurses - my husband and daughters. (They even got me a bell to ring for when I needed something.) I took three full weeks off of work and started back to work with limited hours. I just had my one month follow up appointment today and I am down to 194 pounds!
So, that's my surgery story I'm a nutshell. I look forward to getting to know you all and sharing this new journey with you!
