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Lets Talk Weight Loss...

Ahhh Weight Loss, a topic that effects many. If you are at all like me, the word DIET makes you cringe. Well think about it, the first three letters of diet is DIE! And when I go on a diet, that is exactly how I felt! 

I had tried just about every known diet out there. And some of them I did good on, only to fall off the wagon and gain it all back. It is and was a life long struggle for me. I have never been 'thin' or even an ideal weight. I have always been classified as obese. 

After doing a lot of research, I had finally made the decision that surgery was my best option. In October of 2015 I went to the seminar to learn more about this option. The doctor explained to me how dieting just doesn't work for everyone. (As if I didn't know this!), but then he went further into explaining why. Now I don't recall all the details of that seminar, but I do recall them saying how a part of our stomach produces some sort of hormone that effects our ability to lose weight and keep it off. Having this surgery removes that part of the stomach eliminating that hormone and allows our bodies to finally start losing weight and keeping it off. 

I had to go through all the insurance hoops, see a dietitian, a psychologist, have a sleep study, a the whole rig-a-ma-roll, but I did it all. It felt like a very long drawn out process but finally I was able to get scheduled for my surgery, August 29, 2016... The day that saved my life.

Now let me explain what led me to this decision. In the year 2015, I had been diagnosed with high blood pressure and was put on medications. I was later then diagnosed with diabetes, (the kind you get from being overweight) and again was put on medications. I was having difficulties sleeping at night and my doctor set up a sleep study... wouldn't you know it, I had sleep apnea and had to put on a cpap machine. (I hated that thing!) Not to mention my body hurt all the time, I could barely stand on my feet for more than few minutes and I got short of breath just trying to tie my shoes! I was also suffering from depression and anxiety. I never wanted to leave my house, I always felt like everywhere I went people were staring at me and saying things to themselves like 'I hope I never get that big...' or 'Gross'. I knew I had to do something.  I felt like I was on the verge of death, much sooner than later if I didn't. 

So on August 29th, 2016, I was scheduled for surgery, and like I said, this is the day that saved my life. At my highest weight I was 333 lbs. I am 5'8, which put my BMI at 51 which was a very high risk of bad health (duh... I was already on that road!). 

I had the Gastric sleeve surgery. After doing all my research and talking to my doctors, I felt this was the best surgery for me. It seemed to have the highest results with the fewest complications. I'm not going to say it was easy, not by any means, but it was worth it and I'd do it again if I had to turn back time and make a decision again.

I am just about 11 months post-op now and I have lost 142 lbs. I have gone from a size 24-26 down to a size 10-12! I feel amazing! I can move around, I can walk, I can keep up with my kids! I have done things this past year that I never thought I'd be able to do again. I have gone to Worlds of Fun, I put on a swimsuit and wasn't ashamed to be in public! I have gone camping with the kids. I feel like I have a whole new life! And I am off all of my medications! Only thing I take now is my vitamins! 

Now, I will say, here in this last couple of months I have been on a bit of a plateau. I have been struggling with some ups and down without really getting anywhere. (This will be a subject for a future post). At least I am staying consistent and maintaining where I'm at. I'd like to see at least another 25 lbs lost so that is my next big goal. 

Below are some photos of my progress....



Some of my progress photos in the first 3 months.
a Before and After photo. Me at my highest weight on the Left, and a recent pic on the left (taken in June)
Me with my new hair cut, taken yesterday, July 12, 2017, wearing a cute summer dress size 10!

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