TracieCat

After many years of struggling up and down with my weight and after many months of consideration, I am finally taking the steps that I know will change my entire life. I have struggled with not only my weight, but also many health problems over the years, starting as a small child. I was born with birth defects in both of my hips and as a result was never permitted to do much strenuous activity while growing up and I tended to turn to food for comfort over the years and that is a horrible habit that only got worse as I grew older.

I currently struggle with not only Fibromyalgia but also High Blood Pressure, Sleep Apnea, O2 issues and severe Osteo Arthritis in my left hip for which I will be needing surgery. Hoping to put that surgery off as long as I can hopefully with the weight loss. I had lost 100 pounds in my past and remember how much my chronic pain had lessened with that loss so I know I can acheive some relief again.  The 100 pounds I lost several years ago was achieved through following a low carb lifestyle (Atkins) and although it seemed relatively easy for me to follow and stick with through the months it took me to lose, I eventually reverted back to my old way of living and regained it all back again.

I have a 6 month waiting period through my insurance and just began that time at tbe beginning of 2010. I hope to put the surgery off until after the summer months. My surgeon will be Dr. David Melniczek and I have so far been very impressed with his personality, kindness, willingness to explain everything I need to know and straight forwardness. His staff seem friendly as well.

I look forward to becoming the happy and healthy person I know I can be and to starting a whole second life. It will be wonderful to be able to do some of the things I currently feel badly about missing out on due to my pain. I am looking forward to someday not recognizing the picture of the person I am now.I am 43 years old, married since 1989 to my best friend Jim and we share our home with our fur kids Keeley and Kelsey (cats).

Grateful for this site, the info here and the people I hope to meet and speak to. Starting Weight - 370, Goal Weight - 170