1.5 Weeks Out

[Embot 4]

Hi. I am a married 33 year old woman. I had my surgery on June 11 in Chicago. Everything is finally starting to go well. I had serious heartburn after eating anything until today. :-)

I have been overweight since I was 8. I was able to significantly loose weight two times by practically starving myself and excessive exercise. Even with the major weight losses, I was unable to get under 200 pounds. My doctor kept pushing Weight Watchers, but I was too ashamed to be weighed in public. She had lost weight by going, but even she ended up gaining the weight back. I tried the online version, but it didn't work for me.

While I was having dinner at a friends house last summer, I ended up in the most rickety chair in the whole house. Everyone just stared as I sat down as lightly as I could. I was so scared that it was going to collapse under me. Fortunately, it didn't, but it did get me switch doctors and look into WLS. Aside from that horrible incident, l got engaged last year and I wanted to look good in my wedding photos. I know, it is superficial, but I didn't want to be in a size 20 dress.

Nevertheless, it took a long time for my surgery to be approved and I got married to my favorite person ever in a size 20 dress. I'll never forget how my husband looked at me when I walked up the aisle. He certainly didn't care about the size of my dress. It was a great wedding and I had a blast regardless of my dress size.

I've lost 20 pounds in the last 3 weeks, including my low carb pre-op diet. I am so overwhelmingly happy about my surgery. I still have about 115 pounds to loose, but I feel very hopeful. I haven't been in a bathing suit since I was 8 and I am looking forward to getting one when I reach my goal.

I wish everyone the best in their journey.

[justmeandmysleeve 91]

Congrats!!! I find your story incredibly inspiring. I am about a month pre-op and getting so nervous for what is to come.

I also married the most amazing man in a size 20 dress.....

We have been trying to start a family and I have not been able to get pregnant because of weight related complicationg. I am hoping this surgery and the new me will give us a chance at having our own children.

Best of luck on the rest of your journey! Any advice is appreciated!

[chitowngirl 884]

Hello Embot, do you mind if I ask which hospital you had your surgery at?? It sounds like your doing good so far.

[Embot 4]

Thanks for the kind remarks, justme... Feel free to ask me questions. I'll be honest, the first week was difficult, but it has gotten a lot better. :-)

I had my surgery at Northwestern Hospital downtown. My surgeon was Dr. Hungness. The hospital holds free seminars twice a month. Everyone involved was so friendly and helpful. They even have a free monthly support group after surgery. :-)

http://www.nmh.org/nm/weight-loss-surgery-overview

[Calimom4 0]

Hi! I also want to ask you a question. I saw my PC Doctor today and he recommend that I consider surgical weight lose options. How long were you down after the procedure? I'm not sure if you work or not, but I work a desk job, and I'm wondering how long I'd have to be off work. Thanks and good luck!!

[Embot 4]

I am a full-time Admin Assistant. So far, I've been out two weeks total, but I'm not quite ready to go back. Unfortunately, there aren't rules that apply to everyone. It will really just depend on how you are feeling and what your surgeon says.

They kept saying the ”no rules” thing in my nutrition classes, which is frustrating, but it's true. Everyone's bodies react differently.

Good luck! It will be worth it once you start losing weight. :-)