papusha19

Had Surgery at Broward Health Imperial Point. Facility and staff was great. They also have a really low self paid pricing. (Under 9K)

Having surgery at end of month, would be nice to know some locals going through surgery, maybe new workout buddies, share local resources, etc.[emoji267][emoji3048][emoji905]
Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app

My husband is very active, and I was previously very active too, but over the years as I gained weight, I could no longer keep up with him. He and a friend went on a week-long mountain biking trip and while he was away I started plotting my plan to be able to do the trip WITH him the following year. I called a surgeon, and was able to get in for my first class within a day or 2 of my call. When I picked my husband up from his trip, I told him all about my appointment and that I was going to have WLS. He was (and still is!) so supportive and so excited for me!
OH yeah...the next year, we went on that mountain biking trip TOGETHER!!! It was during Covid, so we had to modify the route (campgrounds closed), but we did it!!! I looked super cute in my biking outfits too! LOL!!!

Oops. I meant to include my tipping point - COVID! I work at a hospital and experiencing covid here was beyond difficult. Depression was overwhelming and every day I went home and crashed. On weekends, I binged on pizza and lots of junk food. Now that my family and I are vaccinated, I want to live life again. I want to be able to do things and not cry about being in pain constantly. ?

This. I was delivering flowers for a friends business and got into her ford escape and the stearing wheel was IN my gut. I could not buckle my seatbelt at the max length. I also was working with a client in home health and could not buckle my seat belt and the client kept asking what the alarm was. ? That was a HUGE wake up call. The BREAKING POINT/TIPPING POINT was when I saw a photo of myself from the side. Massive arms, huge stomach, and 3 chins.

See photo of before and after. My tipping point photo is on the left.

The impact being morbidly obese had on my life was everywhere. I was ashamed of how I looked and didn’t want to see people anymore. I hated eating in public thinking of what people thought of me. Constantly wondering if I’d fit in chairs/certain places. Knowing I was unable to fly in a plane due to my size. Not being able to buy clothes or take any pride in my appearance. Feeling sluggish and lazy all the time. Feeling out of control and ruled by food and the ever increasing scale. And finally knowing that my children deserved a mother that had energy and enthusiasm for life again.

I’m still in my journey, I have 41 lbs to go to reach goal. But 135 lbs down and I’m “overweight” now, I can run and have energy again, I can buy clothes at regular stores and I love how I look, and I’m finally taking care of an issue that’s plagued me since grade school. I would do it all over again a dozen times if I had to.

I had originally gone to my surgeon to repair a symptomatic ventral hernia. I had not even considered surgery for weight loss before I spoke to him. I just did not realize it was an option for me.
Over the last year I had a number of things go wrong, aside from losing my job due to covid, my husband died of alcoholism. He was a cruel drunk and I spent the last two years with him wearing a headset to block out his raging and hiding in video games from his cruelty. I gained a lot of weight quickly. My labs were growing increasingly bad, my liver enzymes elevated, and then I was diagnosed with parathyroid disorder and prediabetic.
Finally it dawned on me after I was given the option for weight loss surgery, it was time to reclaim my life and move forward and find my happiness. I was told the surgery would likely correct the things that had been popping up as long as I follow the program and lose the weight.
That is what I am doing and my life is slowly being reshaped as I take each step towards a healthier lifestyle.

I decided I had had enough when after 9 months of quarantine I was so sore and stiff from being sedentary and my asthma was so bad I couldn't use the treadmill I had bought. I had also gained 25lbs during the first 9 months of COVID (I spent a lot of time baking). I haven't had surgery yet but I've already lost more than 32 lbs and my asthma is so much better. Still stiff and sore all the time. I've been jumping through insurance hoops for 4 months and probably 2-3 months before my surgery still.