piercedqt78

I'm 200% with your friend that doctors need to look beyond just weight. I spent 35 years of my life with an auto-immune disorder and was told my pain, and joint problems were all weight related. Well now I'm 110 pounds on a good day and my pain and joint problems are still here. The only difference is now that I'm no longer fat they actually looked at my health and didn't dismiss me. I have a diagnosis, is it what I wanted? no, is it the hand I was dealt? Yes. But I could have avoided 5 surgeries if I had been taken seriously from the first doctor, and not just dismissed for being fat. I had a doctor tell me that I tore my rotator cuff because of being morbidly obese.

I agree completely with you Princess!!! You have hit the nail on the head. For most of us our health problems can be linked back to one thing..being over weight. Knee problems, sleep disorders, diabetes etc. For a few, these problems will continue to plague them for life, but without weight issues the doctors can help you.
Like your friend, I dismissed every doctors opinion. I would tell myself that it is just in the family, old age spread, blood disorder etc causing me to be fat. Well, what a load of crap that was, convincing myself this is true. I am fat because I eat too much, poor nutrition choices and no exercise. My motto use to be "fitness kills-don't become a victim"
My wake-up call came last year. Spring 2013 I ended up with a skin infection in my leg-went to an emergency walk-in clinic. The doctor there was kind and very efficient. No blood clot, but this type of problem was going to continue. Antibiotics fixed up the leg and he put my on metformin, blood pressure medication. He also told me that he use to be a non-believer on WLS...until his friend had it done. Both the doctor and the friend are overweight, and diabetic. His friend dropped 100lbs and no more health issues, diabetes gone. This got me thinking, maybe all the doctors back home were right? Then I went for a yearly check-up (oh I hated these). ECG is abnormal. What?? found out I have a small blockage-now I am taking Lipitor. Then in the fall, my knee gave out. Referred to a sports medicine specialist-she said, we cannot help you. you need knee replacement and NO surgeon will touch you. I talked to both of these doctors about WLS they all said they would sign off consent for me to have it done. Whoa!!! 3 doctors plainly said-GET IT DONE.
Long story short, I got it done. Do I regret it? Hell no. I sure don't miss shopping in the plus size section wondering if they have my size. I don't miss getting that look on an airplane when someone must squeeze in beside me.
I agree that you have to love yourself and be happy the way you are. 99% of us will never be a size 2, so to hell with that idea. Get down to a healthy weight you can maintain and accept who you are. If 180lbs make you feel happy, healthy and comfortable for the rest of your life-do it. Forget about being 110lbs-you will make yourself miserable.
Now when I look at people, I don't criticize them-I think, Hmm, WLS would change this persons life.
I have dropped 55 ugly pounds since last Christmas. I am off all medications. I originally was ashamed to tell anyone what I had done. That shame is now gone. Now, I praise the benefits of WLS and will encourage anyone who is thinking about having it done.

I'm 200% with your friend that doctors need to look beyond just weight. I spent 35 years of my life with an auto-immune disorder and was told my pain, and joint problems were all weight related. Well now I'm 110 pounds on a good day and my pain and joint problems are still here. The only difference is now that I'm no longer fat they actually looked at my health and didn't dismiss me. I have a diagnosis, is it what I wanted? no, is it the hand I was dealt? Yes. But I could have avoided 5 surgeries if I had been taken seriously from the first doctor, and not just dismissed for being fat. I had a doctor tell me that I tore my rotator cuff because of being morbidly obese.

I met my husband at a bowling alley. I was there with friends, and he was there with co-workers. I told one of my male friends not to sit next to me, I didn't want the good looking guy to think I was taken. LOL Turns out my guy friend had worked with the guys I pointed to, and walked over to talk to them. I wanted to crawl under the table, as my bff has no brain to mouth filter (why we are besties) and I had no clue what he was saying. He pointed my direction, and I lifted the drink menu over my face like I was soooooo interested in the beer specials. What he was actually doing was showing them where were were sitting. When they finished their "team building exercise" several of them joined us on our lane for the next few hours of bowling, drinking and just a general good time. 3 of those guys asked for my number, only one was interested the other 2 were planning on telling him I had asked them to pass the # on to him. He called me a few days later and we started seeing each other for odd dates, I worked nights and he did daytime retail management, so time was limited. This was in Feb of 2000, I got hurt at work in late April, and he very kindly offered to come and sleep on the sofa and help take care of me. When I returned to work 6 weeks later, I asked if he was leaving or if he wanted a key. He took the key, and a few weeks later told me that we needed to talk. I thought for sure he was moving out and breaking up with me. He told me that he had never seen me wear jewelry so he didn't know my taste, he got down on one knee and proposed. We were married that Oct, in a bowling Alley (where else?) and have been together for 14 years this year. He's not a knight in shining armor, but he's also not a retard in a tin foil hat either. He is the father of my only child, my best friend, and the one person that I never have to doubt when it comes to having my back. Like Forest Gump says "we are like peas and carrots" he has always dated bigger girls, so I was a little worried when I started getting thinner. Just a few weeks ago he told me that I look amazing, and he is proud of my weight loss, and the fact that I did this to get healthy for myself, and our family.
I said all of that to say this, I had planned to get a few beers and bowl a few games with my friends that night and met my future husband. I wasn't looking for anyone and he just dropped into my life. Sometimes the dating sites, looking too hard makes you walk past the one that you should have seen. Best of luck to those getting back into the dating scene.

I'm 200% with your friend that doctors need to look beyond just weight. I spent 35 years of my life with an auto-immune disorder and was told my pain, and joint problems were all weight related. Well now I'm 110 pounds on a good day and my pain and joint problems are still here. The only difference is now that I'm no longer fat they actually looked at my health and didn't dismiss me. I have a diagnosis, is it what I wanted? no, is it the hand I was dealt? Yes. But I could have avoided 5 surgeries if I had been taken seriously from the first doctor, and not just dismissed for being fat. I had a doctor tell me that I tore my rotator cuff because of being morbidly obese.

Nah, don't let yourself get caught up in comparing yourself with anyone else. Everyone's journey is different you can be the exact same age, height and weight etc and the end result and how each person gets there will be completely different because we're all individuals:)

I met my husband at a bowling alley. I was there with friends, and he was there with co-workers. I told one of my male friends not to sit next to me, I didn't want the good looking guy to think I was taken. LOL Turns out my guy friend had worked with the guys I pointed to, and walked over to talk to them. I wanted to crawl under the table, as my bff has no brain to mouth filter (why we are besties) and I had no clue what he was saying. He pointed my direction, and I lifted the drink menu over my face like I was soooooo interested in the beer specials. What he was actually doing was showing them where were were sitting. When they finished their "team building exercise" several of them joined us on our lane for the next few hours of bowling, drinking and just a general good time. 3 of those guys asked for my number, only one was interested the other 2 were planning on telling him I had asked them to pass the # on to him. He called me a few days later and we started seeing each other for odd dates, I worked nights and he did daytime retail management, so time was limited. This was in Feb of 2000, I got hurt at work in late April, and he very kindly offered to come and sleep on the sofa and help take care of me. When I returned to work 6 weeks later, I asked if he was leaving or if he wanted a key. He took the key, and a few weeks later told me that we needed to talk. I thought for sure he was moving out and breaking up with me. He told me that he had never seen me wear jewelry so he didn't know my taste, he got down on one knee and proposed. We were married that Oct, in a bowling Alley (where else?) and have been together for 14 years this year. He's not a knight in shining armor, but he's also not a retard in a tin foil hat either. He is the father of my only child, my best friend, and the one person that I never have to doubt when it comes to having my back. Like Forest Gump says "we are like peas and carrots" he has always dated bigger girls, so I was a little worried when I started getting thinner. Just a few weeks ago he told me that I look amazing, and he is proud of my weight loss, and the fact that I did this to get healthy for myself, and our family.
I said all of that to say this, I had planned to get a few beers and bowl a few games with my friends that night and met my future husband. I wasn't looking for anyone and he just dropped into my life. Sometimes the dating sites, looking too hard makes you walk past the one that you should have seen. Best of luck to those getting back into the dating scene.

I met my husband at a bowling alley. I was there with friends, and he was there with co-workers. I told one of my male friends not to sit next to me, I didn't want the good looking guy to think I was taken. LOL Turns out my guy friend had worked with the guys I pointed to, and walked over to talk to them. I wanted to crawl under the table, as my bff has no brain to mouth filter (why we are besties) and I had no clue what he was saying. He pointed my direction, and I lifted the drink menu over my face like I was soooooo interested in the beer specials. What he was actually doing was showing them where were were sitting. When they finished their "team building exercise" several of them joined us on our lane for the next few hours of bowling, drinking and just a general good time. 3 of those guys asked for my number, only one was interested the other 2 were planning on telling him I had asked them to pass the # on to him. He called me a few days later and we started seeing each other for odd dates, I worked nights and he did daytime retail management, so time was limited. This was in Feb of 2000, I got hurt at work in late April, and he very kindly offered to come and sleep on the sofa and help take care of me. When I returned to work 6 weeks later, I asked if he was leaving or if he wanted a key. He took the key, and a few weeks later told me that we needed to talk. I thought for sure he was moving out and breaking up with me. He told me that he had never seen me wear jewelry so he didn't know my taste, he got down on one knee and proposed. We were married that Oct, in a bowling Alley (where else?) and have been together for 14 years this year. He's not a knight in shining armor, but he's also not a retard in a tin foil hat either. He is the father of my only child, my best friend, and the one person that I never have to doubt when it comes to having my back. Like Forest Gump says "we are like peas and carrots" he has always dated bigger girls, so I was a little worried when I started getting thinner. Just a few weeks ago he told me that I look amazing, and he is proud of my weight loss, and the fact that I did this to get healthy for myself, and our family.
I said all of that to say this, I had planned to get a few beers and bowl a few games with my friends that night and met my future husband. I wasn't looking for anyone and he just dropped into my life. Sometimes the dating sites, looking too hard makes you walk past the one that you should have seen. Best of luck to those getting back into the dating scene.

I have to disagree with this. The OP had surgery, her husband didn't. It's up t us to control our own behaviors not blame others when we fail.

i agree.....lose skin is a after effect of losing a lot of weight
i am dealing with that right now.....i think (myself) is my harshest critic
and the world itself is quick to jump on the (bandwagon) so to speak
i kudo the woman for showing herself to the masses....i dont think i could do that
however i blog about my journey and try to keep it as real as possible...and just
yesterday wrote a blog post about my saggy stomach and my hub sent this article
link to me and i found this post today so it must be a sign for me to read it...
some people think WLS is all butterflies and easy......then they find out its not....

I agree, but at the same time why isn't she beautiful the way she is? Not everyone wants or can afford plastics. I know if my insurance doesn't cover mine they won't be done, at least not for a LONG time. And until I started having health issues,(lower back pain, skin problems, and trouble with sitting on rolls of skin and causing pain and skin trauma) I never even considered plastics.

I think it should be made known that significant weight loss results in unattractive skin sometimes. It's real, not just all rainbows and butterflies.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/juliegerstein/shape-magazine-refused-to-let-this-woman-wear-a-bikini-on-it?bffbstyle
Shape Magazine didn't want to run pictures of a woman that had lost 170 pounds showing her excess skin. It's real, it's the truth, and it's not always pretty. If you make a drastic change, and drop that much weight you WILL have skin. It's sad that they claim it's policy to have everyone cover up for their before/after shots, but one look at their site, or the pages of their magazine prove otherwise. I guess they only want to showcase those that have toned and not had dramatic loss.

DANG! @piercedqt78 you mean all this cottage cheese skin won't turn into butterflies ???

Congrats that's tomorrow!!! My anniversary is also tomorrow. SW 244, CW 110.

My bariatric group hosted their first meet and greet, that was loaded with some great vendors giving out some nice goodies, and holding a few drawings for some cool stuff. Then they held an amazing fashion show using some of their patients that were willing to walk the catwalk in some beautiful outfits. They also provided some tasty Snacks, some healthy some not so healthy. (I will question that when I see him in the office next week). My mom, hubby, daughter, and daughter's best friend attended with me as my "support people" As the fashion show was coming to a close, I notice my surgeon standing in the back watching, and I slipped back to talk to him for a moment. I haven't seen him for 4 months, like I said I have an appt next week, he looked at me and seemed puzzled, he said I know you, but I don't know where I know you from. He thought I was a spouse of a patient. I reminded him that he did my surgery last May, and that I had lost 130 pounds, his mouth dropped open, and then it clicked who I was in his mind. He asked how I have been doing, and how I am feeling now that I am at my goal. I told him I feel amazing, I was so overcome with emotion that I just stepped forward pulled him into a hug and started to cry, on his very expensive suit. He hugged me back to my surprise (he is very professional, and doesn't have the most friendly personality, very to the point and blunt in the office) and said that he was just blown away with my success, and that he was PROUD of me, and wanted me in the next fashion show. My family had joined us at this point, and my mom made the comment that I was too thin, and he corrected her and said I was not too thin, I looked perfect. He said I looked like a barbie doll, and he wouldn't change a thing about me. I thanked him for saving my life, and he reminded me again tonight of something he said to me on the day of my surgery. He couldn't "fix me", but he was giving me the tools to fix myself. That has stuck with me, and when I start to think of cheating on my food plan, (I NEVER diet, I have a life long food plan) I think of the amazing tool he has given me, and how he told me it was up to me to make this tool work for me. I have worked my sleeve to it's fullest and I am proud to say that I have gone from a size 22/24 to a 4 yes that's right a 4. I am going to walk in the next fashion show, and I am not only going to walk, I'm going to strut my stuff. I am so proud of the work I have put into my new self, and I and forever greatful for the tool that Dr. Uchal had given to me. My life was changed on May 8th 2013, that will be the day I Celebrate my rebirth. I just wanted to share with you all, it was an NSV but seeing all the other women that had made the same amazing transformations that I have made brought me to tears. At the end of the show, they announced that the ladies that walked in the show tonight had lost a total of 2,200 pounds. Amazing. And my mother who needs the surgery told me that she was too old. Well tonight she met a woman that is older than her that was sleeved and lost 156 pounds. She looked AMAZING, and my mom asked her a ton of questions. I think she might actually look into being sleeved. This is something I have prayed about for the last year. My mom is diabetic, high blood pressure and high cholestrol, and she had to have back surgery, and now she needs knee surgery. I keep telling her the surgery would change her life. It would help her live longer, healthier and happier. She told me that she would do the surgery but doesn't want the excess skin, I told her I would rather have her with excess skin, and Alive, than bury her with tight skin. I don't want to lose my mom to obesity, when help is available. I think that actually sunk in tonight. I guess we will see what she does. I did my surgery to be here for my daughter, and I hope she is willing to do the same to be here for myself and my daughter.
Tonight was a great night. It also made me decide to help set up a monthly meeting for my area. I posted in the local group area so I guess tonight not only made me happy, but also made me see that I have a lot of support and motivation to offer.

I think it should be made known that significant weight loss results in unattractive skin sometimes. It's real, not just all rainbows and butterflies.

sometimes it's not the body changes that attracts people, but the confidence, pride, and self worth that makes you stand out.

my one BIG piece of advice is to keep something that you can wear right now, and have it as a reminder. I have a few things, and when people who I haven't seen in a while asked how far I'm come I can show them my before/after by holding up my old clothes.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/juliegerstein/shape-magazine-refused-to-let-this-woman-wear-a-bikini-on-it?bffbstyle
Shape Magazine didn't want to run pictures of a woman that had lost 170 pounds showing her excess skin. It's real, it's the truth, and it's not always pretty. If you make a drastic change, and drop that much weight you WILL have skin. It's sad that they claim it's policy to have everyone cover up for their before/after shots, but one look at their site, or the pages of their magazine prove otherwise. I guess they only want to showcase those that have toned and not had dramatic loss.

My bariatric group hosted their first meet and greet, that was loaded with some great vendors giving out some nice goodies, and holding a few drawings for some cool stuff. Then they held an amazing fashion show using some of their patients that were willing to walk the catwalk in some beautiful outfits. They also provided some tasty Snacks, some healthy some not so healthy. (I will question that when I see him in the office next week). My mom, hubby, daughter, and daughter's best friend attended with me as my "support people" As the fashion show was coming to a close, I notice my surgeon standing in the back watching, and I slipped back to talk to him for a moment. I haven't seen him for 4 months, like I said I have an appt next week, he looked at me and seemed puzzled, he said I know you, but I don't know where I know you from. He thought I was a spouse of a patient. I reminded him that he did my surgery last May, and that I had lost 130 pounds, his mouth dropped open, and then it clicked who I was in his mind. He asked how I have been doing, and how I am feeling now that I am at my goal. I told him I feel amazing, I was so overcome with emotion that I just stepped forward pulled him into a hug and started to cry, on his very expensive suit. He hugged me back to my surprise (he is very professional, and doesn't have the most friendly personality, very to the point and blunt in the office) and said that he was just blown away with my success, and that he was PROUD of me, and wanted me in the next fashion show. My family had joined us at this point, and my mom made the comment that I was too thin, and he corrected her and said I was not too thin, I looked perfect. He said I looked like a barbie doll, and he wouldn't change a thing about me. I thanked him for saving my life, and he reminded me again tonight of something he said to me on the day of my surgery. He couldn't "fix me", but he was giving me the tools to fix myself. That has stuck with me, and when I start to think of cheating on my food plan, (I NEVER diet, I have a life long food plan) I think of the amazing tool he has given me, and how he told me it was up to me to make this tool work for me. I have worked my sleeve to it's fullest and I am proud to say that I have gone from a size 22/24 to a 4 yes that's right a 4. I am going to walk in the next fashion show, and I am not only going to walk, I'm going to strut my stuff. I am so proud of the work I have put into my new self, and I and forever greatful for the tool that Dr. Uchal had given to me. My life was changed on May 8th 2013, that will be the day I Celebrate my rebirth. I just wanted to share with you all, it was an NSV but seeing all the other women that had made the same amazing transformations that I have made brought me to tears. At the end of the show, they announced that the ladies that walked in the show tonight had lost a total of 2,200 pounds. Amazing. And my mother who needs the surgery told me that she was too old. Well tonight she met a woman that is older than her that was sleeved and lost 156 pounds. She looked AMAZING, and my mom asked her a ton of questions. I think she might actually look into being sleeved. This is something I have prayed about for the last year. My mom is diabetic, high blood pressure and high cholestrol, and she had to have back surgery, and now she needs knee surgery. I keep telling her the surgery would change her life. It would help her live longer, healthier and happier. She told me that she would do the surgery but doesn't want the excess skin, I told her I would rather have her with excess skin, and Alive, than bury her with tight skin. I don't want to lose my mom to obesity, when help is available. I think that actually sunk in tonight. I guess we will see what she does. I did my surgery to be here for my daughter, and I hope she is willing to do the same to be here for myself and my daughter.
Tonight was a great night. It also made me decide to help set up a monthly meeting for my area. I posted in the local group area so I guess tonight not only made me happy, but also made me see that I have a lot of support and motivation to offer.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/juliegerstein/shape-magazine-refused-to-let-this-woman-wear-a-bikini-on-it?bffbstyle
Shape Magazine didn't want to run pictures of a woman that had lost 170 pounds showing her excess skin. It's real, it's the truth, and it's not always pretty. If you make a drastic change, and drop that much weight you WILL have skin. It's sad that they claim it's policy to have everyone cover up for their before/after shots, but one look at their site, or the pages of their magazine prove otherwise. I guess they only want to showcase those that have toned and not had dramatic loss.

I think having an email address is brilliant. I'll run it past Lisa...my 'partner in crime'..lol. Thanks again for letting me steal your signature idea.

Here is the group's email address bariatricpaljacksonvillefl@gmail.com

http://www.buzzfeed.com/juliegerstein/shape-magazine-refused-to-let-this-woman-wear-a-bikini-on-it?bffbstyle
Shape Magazine didn't want to run pictures of a woman that had lost 170 pounds showing her excess skin. It's real, it's the truth, and it's not always pretty. If you make a drastic change, and drop that much weight you WILL have skin. It's sad that they claim it's policy to have everyone cover up for their before/after shots, but one look at their site, or the pages of their magazine prove otherwise. I guess they only want to showcase those that have toned and not had dramatic loss.