reason2live

I honestly don't think we can win for losing. We are trying to make ourselves healthy by taking our weight off which creates the high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, heart problems and the list goes on. Now if we have/would develop this, behind our backs the thoughts, snide remarks "she/he wouldn't have these problems if they would take weight off". Off comes the weight, we develop a cough, sinsus infections (which by the way blood pressure medications can cause sinusitis), flu and it is because we lost too much weight, we're too skinny, or the surgery itself is too blame
. I don't care if they are professionals or friends, until they walk in our shoes they will never get it. My favorite saying is "you can't argue with stupid".

My heart is broken.
A friend of mine for over 18 years has passed away from a heart attack. He battled with his weight all his life. At his highest I am guessing he was maybe 500 plus pounds. He was diabetic, he smoked both cigarettes and weed, he was depressed and the aches and pains due to his weight was hurting his body, he started to use a cain toward the end to help him walk.
At my highest when I said its time to take control of my weight I was 301lbs, I try to encourage him to do the WLS, so that his quality of life would be better and he would say no I don't do well with pain. And when he would see me he saw my weight was going down I would still try and encourage him to do the WLS to help him get the weight off. I tried constantly to encourage him because I knew deep inside he was trapped and I understood because I was once there. There is a sadness we carry when we are big, its in our face, in our mood,its every where on us.
I would often would see his sister and ask for him and she use to say oh my brother looks bad, I don't think he will make it but I never seen her encourage him to do the right thing like eat right, going for walks or talked him in to going to the hospital. Even she wants told me oh the Gastric Bypass is dangerous and when she saw me she was surprised as I loss the weight.
During my journey, I did mine in private, I didn't tell friends the only ones who knew and matter most were my children who understood my battle and supported me along the way. I did my research, did my doctor appts and everyday I continued to do my research. I refuse to have people in my ear saying horror stories about WLS, because i refused to allow anyone to tell me its wrong to want to take control of my weight and live a healthier life...that's what some people do...they will say oh I hear WLS is dangerous...but putting 3 big macs in my mouth is safe?
I miss my friend dearly, I know the days of him struggling are over, he looked so at peace at his funeral but at the same time I wish he had the courage to do the WLS...as a friend I wanted to help him so bad. but in the end when making choices that has to do with your health only you know whats the right thing to do. I can't say WLS would have kept him alive today...if its your time to go its your time go and I understand that...I just felt like his quality of life would have been so much better.
During your journey we have to be careful with people that are enablers around us...your circle of friends have to be positive people that will support you decisions and leave behind those that help and continue to allow us to make poor choices (enablers) the ones that will say oh its just 1 cupcake, or its just 1 burger. You have to be strong minded enough to know whats right and whats wrong and look at the person you surround yourself with...are their intentions to help or hurt you?
Before surgery I would fight with my boyfriend and instead of talking it out he would buy me food so I could stuff my face....its like people will put a gun in your hand and let you blow your brains out without a single thought or any remorse.
This journey has saved my life from being trapped inside of a body i hated, it has made my health much better, i am learning to love me once again...I am no longer hiding in pictures in fact sometimes I think I am the star...I went from a size 32 to a size 12 since January 2013. I could not have loss this weight on my own, I was the type to go to the gym and reward myself after a workout with a chocolate cake and a slice of pizza....I was my own enemy and now I am my own cheerleader.
Obesity is not a game, people are dying, the health risks are serious...
when I was a big girl...I joined every BBW club there was for big beautiful women and the men that loved them and that was my excuse to eat...(I had no issues getting a man)but I was not happy with who I was....
I say all of this to say, take control of your weight, do your research, ask questions, dump old friends and gain new friends...surround yourself with positive people and do the best you can...we are human and even after surgery we do fall off the bandwagon...its getting back up and taking control which makes you stronger.
Sorry this was long, but I am hurting, I miss my friend, and I truly wish I could have helped him..,but more important i wish he could have helped himself.
Take your health seriously, this journey is filled with ups and downs and bumps in the roads but don't give up it gets better...I can give you so many reasons on what I could do now in my body that I couldn't do before but it would take all day...lets just say I am Blessed!

have felt stuck for a while...scale has started moving lower againg finally!! But I can tell that all the exercise is paying off cause the inches are melting! And I have muscles....and bones...who knew!!

I have finally lost more weight than I have left to lose... I had 205 lbs to lose...and I've lost 106...ONLY 99lbs to go!!! WOOO HOOOO!! I have less than a 100 lbs to lose for the first time in many years!!
I know it's not exciting for anyone else...but I just wanted to share!!!

I don't know how old you are, but you look 10 years younger, I guess the weight ages us, because I get that compliment all the time, you look good.

I was a size 28+. I can't wait to be in the teens.

I thought it was just me. Leftovers make me sick. Even cold things like chicken salad. Idk what that's about but it's weird.
HW:358 DOS:338 CW:282 SD:1/28/13

Spent the afternoon at Mall of America! Was able to walk for HOURS! Felt so good to not have to sit out because my knees were bothering me. Just wanted to share a great day!

Oh yeah ... Congrats on the 40lbs lost. That's amazing progress. Keep up the good work!

Before surgery I was on a diabetic pill called Onglyza and two different insulins. One (Apedra) a fast acting insulin I took 20 units per meal and a long lasting insulin (Lantus) that I took 95 units each night at bed. I am now 9 days post op and I haven't had any of those medications since I left the hospital! PTL!! I go on Tuesday to meet with my pcp and I'm hoping to come off the Crestor and Lisinipril. I'm very very happy how things are going!

Tried bending, didn't work. Tried fingers down the throat, didn't work. Tried looking at food, made me nauseous but didn't work. I'm just not a puker. I think remembering I am not the same as I used to be and being more careful in the future is going to be my best defense.
Am I the only one who feels so normal that you sometimes wonder if the doctor did the surgery right? That is, until this happens? Feeling like this is a confirmation that yes, he DID do it right.

Last night I went shopping for new (smaller) outfits for my new position at work. While having a small fashion show for my fiancé he kept remarking on how amazing I am looking and told me I'm "super cute". A fun night then commenced! Haha

I took s friend to the dentist yesterday and while I waited I crossed my legs!

I went to the Symphony the other night and while I hadn't been to that auditorium in a REALLY long time, I purposefully bought an aisle seat so I wouldn't be as self conscious, I sat down and almost screamed with delight because it wasn't tight! I have a long way to go, but the show was a dream come true and coupled with that? Awesome!
HW 344, DOS 320, Surgery Date 2/20/13, CW 291.1 Sent from my iPad using RNYTalk

Congrats!!! Your doing great, just think the best is yet to come!!

Hi everyone just to share with you all. Starting weight 440lbs, surgery day 421. Today makes 3 months out and I'm down to 364. I am so proud of my progress. I have never seen these digits before. Thanks y'all!

I also really feel that people like this are jealous of the thought of how you may lose the weight and look great! And of course feeling that way, they have to tear somebody down to make themselves feel better. It is so sad. My closest friend is like this and has started a diet and exercise thing and is so proud and keeps talking about the weight she lost but totally won't acknowledge mine even when I talk about it! People like this are toxic and totally not worth our time. Needless to say, I hardly talk to her. It is important to surround ourselves with people who build us up in our lives:) you're doing awesome and this is far from being the easy way out

I to had surgery may 5 I had a gbypass from sleeve an d I am on liquids for two weeks and this time im starving I feel your pain

I was very sick at 3 a 4 was out. Everything tasted and smell bad. It felt like I had the stomach virus 24/7. Come to find out I was dehydrated. I increased my Water intake & I am better. Have you been getting 64 oz of water in? I hope you feel better soon.

Does Breakfast hurt anyone else ? It makes my body go into total rejection and makes me wanna die no matter what I eat. I end up with two Prevacid a d two Pepto bismols and seem ok after about a hour. lunch and dinner does no harm. It like just the first foods I put in my body daily. Any suggestions ??

Hey YoungNy first off congrats on your surgery And I have to admit that I believe the hardest part of all this is the mental games that play out. two weeks prior to my surgery I was suppose to only have liquids like broths,jello...etc and I went four days no problem but then day five came and I broke down and eat a sandwhich I felt awful and the only thing keeping me from attacking that pantry the next day and the day after was hanging a beautiful little sun dress I got that I sure as heck can't fit now but plan on wearing in the very near future but that little thing is blocking that door. I understand and I send you good vibs

I'm always cold now, and I LOVE it! It was actually one of the things I looked forward to the most. I've spent so many years sweating my ass off and boiling hot, I'm loving being able to wear scarves and sweaters and cuddling up!