Hey all, my name is Cynthia and at this point I am still pre-op. Here's a little history on myself:
I came into this world at 9 lbs and have been slightly overweight until I hit puberty, from then on, I started really gaining weight. My parents are both of relatively normal size as well as my two brothers, heck, I would go as far as to say those boys are skinny! Now here is the kicker, all through growing up, I was the ACTIVE one in the family. I was an avid soccer player for yeeears, I did ballet, tap, jazz, jazzercise, basketball, intramural volleyball, marching band all 4 years of high school (that means constantly moving for 2 hours after school every day and working out during the summer too), member of Curves for years, shot-put and discus in HS, as well as using the weight room. I love playing racquetball and tennis, you name it. SO, there is my sob story... I was in the 300's during high school, and now I'm 25 and have reached my wonderfully high weight of 400 lbs. My biggest weight loss so far was when I reached 350, I dropped to about 273 through a "holistic" doc. That was in 2003-2004, now I have gained that back plus more. I've tried that diet, Atkins, grapefruit juice, cabbage soup diet, low cal, low fat, WW, Curves diet plan, Out of Egypt (through church) and many others, as I'm sure most of you reading this can relate to.
Some of the biggest moments that have made an impact on my life, when concerning weight.
1. Going to Six Flags (i guess we all know where this one is going...) getting on the Batman with a friend in early HS, everyone is locked in a ready to go but GUESS WHO!! so, we try and try, but the dern thing won't go far enough down to buckle, so everyone's.. EVERYONE'S safety device is brought back up so I can exit the ride ::forced smile:: My friend did not get off with me... just gave me the "oh my god, I'm so sorry look" and off she went
2. The kids on the school bus, back when I was right on it, and now as I ride along side it, they still throw comments out the window as I sit in my car
3. Breaking the plastic chair outside of work (thank god it was only me and another nice co-worker)
4. Being approached by a skinny mean old relative at a family reunion and he tells me that I need to stop eating all the chips and whatnot... ::forced smile:: I'm not a chip eater...
Ok, so really, that list could go on and on. Small desks you have to fit into during school, blah blah blah. So, I'm done with the war stories and ready to start a new chapter in my life!
I have always kinda though about WLS, mainly starting in HS, but thought it wasn't for me, I could do it the old fashion way and everyone would be so proud of me! It was a very big pride thing. I'm a do-it-yourself kind of girl. Even throughout college I didn't not want to have the surgery done because if I "just work hard enough and long enough" I can do it. And I would always have lots of optimism starting a new diet/exercise regime. Heck, even after I have made the decision to have the surgery, I cancelled curves and joined ClubFitness and have the same optimism.
Well, at the beginning of '08 I found out that my job's insurance now covers GB. I have my own personal ins through BCBS and THEY had told me they don't cover it (which I'm finding out may not be true...) but I took on the ins at my work JUST IN CASE I decided to go the route of surgery. Took my 6 months and another failed diet attempt (with weekly weigh-in and support from co-workers) for finally decided to have the surgery done. .... !!!!!
So. Let's see. I've jumped through the hoops now. I've done my sleep study to get my "co-morbidity", it turns out I have sleep apnea. No big surprise there, I'm 400 lbs :P Done the seminar, seen the PCP, had the physical and blood work done, see the nutritionist and had the psych consult. Oh and I have done so much research that I almost am beginning to think I'm obsessed! I never realized how ignorant I was about what this surgery really entails (which I think is a big reason I was so against it earlier), but now the info is coming out my ears.
Right now, I believe my surgeon has now reviewed my file and hopefully has been sent to the ins co for approval. I'm actually sitting on the couch and about to call them again to find out. SO there I am! My parents are totally holistic people and want me to try yet another doc and HIS diet that is sure to work. My husband is scared but supportive. And I have made the decision to tell my co-workers. That's where I am. Wish me luck on this approval thing, I've been waiting a long time now
Oh, and if you made it this far in this post, thanks for listening to me rant... I needed to get this down on "paper". Feel free to stick with me throughout this journey
Just your average Girl
Thank you for sharing your story. I know that I have felt the same way in many occasions. I am a newbie too. This site seems to be a great help! Good Luck!
Surgery date :Friday 26th Sept 2008
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