not sure about procedure - need some sharing!
I am a 44 year old female, 5′2″ and 260 pounds. I have done the diet pill
thing in the early 80’s and gotten to 105. Got pregnant, gained back (even
more of course!) Did it again, and regained more again. By this time, I
had increased my plateau level over 50 pounds from the beginning of the diet
pill yo-yo.
At this point, I am very sedentary. I teach high school math and I go
from 6 in the morning until 9 at night, cause I teach community college at
night. I only sleep about 5 hours a night, and that is all my body seems to
need - even when I was a young girl and thinner. I usually stay up until
about 1 and I wake up without an alarm at 6 seven days a week. My diet
consists of potato chips, pb crackers, etc. I don’t eat meat, never have,
but I CRAVE salty foods. I have never had alcohol in any form, nor have I
smoked. Most people that know me don’t consider that I overeat - but it
seems to be what I eat… I only eat one thing at a meal, but I eat like
maybe half a big bag of chips…or 2 pks of pb crackers (12 total) …or I
eat two supersize fries from McDonalds. Only one of these things each meal,
but maybe that’s not good too.
What scares me most is that I am incredibly heathly in spite of my weight.
Blood pressure is even low, all is great. I have missed ONE day of school
in 13 years that wasn’t a professional day. BUT…my mom has very bad
arthritis and I can start to feel it in my knees and back - I am very sore
getting up this days. Now I know that comes with age, but 44 ain’t that old
<g
spends every day in pain. I know if I ever got enough of this weight off, I
could exercise more…sounds like a cop-out; I am so used to making excuses
that maybe some of you will understand. Plus, I have been divorced for 17
years. I’m just one of those people everyone likes to be around, good old
Joyce <g
I’ve told myself that is great - I don’t have time for a relationship, but
hey…44 is getting scary to be alone!
The kicker is - I AM a great teacher - I know it. I deserve to be getting
things at school that are going to other people. When I compete in awards
that involve my work on paper, I win (Radio Shack national teacher this
year, Mississippi MECA teacher etc), but I feel like my own colleagues just
look over me. The kids seem to like my class and I know they are learning -
their test scores show it too…
Ok I’m sorry, I just finally feel like I have someone to talk to about
this - sure could use some advice on whether those that did the surgical
procedure were happy or not about doing it. I am mostly scared that I will
go from perfect health to problems because of the surgery….or am I scared
I will do the same if I DON’T have the surgery?
Thanks for all your help and comments.
JD
April 3rd, 2004 at 9:35 am
Hi JD –
I had RNY surgery 3 years ago and except for being overweight I was
remarkably healthy. I had the usual colds etc, but none of the
co-morbidities that went with being obese. About 2 years out from the
surgery I developed a minor problem with stomach ulcers and now I take
Zantac daily. That’s it. My health in general remains unchanged. But my
body? I’m a size 8-10 now and have joined the ranks of the little people!
My mentality is the same, but the world has changed. People engage me
more — eye contact, conversations, and just general acts of politeness. I
could go on and on but what I really want to say is, “have the surgery.” It
may not be the right decision, but not having it would be the wrong
decision. Life is about experiences, some are good and some are bad. You’ve
experienced obesity. It’s your life; you deserve the experience of living
it on the other side.
Best of luck to you whatever you choose!
— Bari