I have been struggling lately when I stumbled upon this app. The forums of the hospital where I had my surgery done was filled with snobs and people judging which was unbelievable to me. I tried to be supportive and helpful for others and got knocked down a lot. I finally unsubscribed and left. Since only people who have the surgery can understand what life is like afterward, I have found myself alone for a while now. I have a wonderful support system at home but again, their understanding is limited. I am 1 year and 5 days shy of 8 months since my surgery. I'd like to share my story but I'm feeling things out first. It's a heck of a story lol. I have blogged a lot of it but share it with very few since I find people can be cruel. Like I'm weak for having surgery instead of doing it "the right way".

I hope I found a new home

It was a rather lengthy post that was also rather heavy. I decided to take it down.

Sorry

It was a rather lengthy post that was also rather heavy. I decided to take it down.

Sorry <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

I don't mind lengthy nor heavy especially if it will teach me on my journey. Please reconsider, or please consider sending it to me privately.

Heres something a bit lighter . More insite to the whole weightloss issue in general but still, it was a blog therefore I must post

Posted February 10, 2011

I never thought I would find pleasure in jamming a needle in my fingertips. Well ok, let me rephrase. I never thought it would make me smile. Ok no matter how I say that it just comes out wrong. But I think you get the point. That stupid diabetes has been with me for 12, almost 13 years now. I've been on meds twice a day, insulin 4 times, then no insulin, then down to pills once a day, back to twice a day, back to insulin which led to this run-on sentence. The numbers on my meter matched my weight loss and gain. It was like some sort of evil payback. Gain weight, more needles, lose weight less needles. The answer was simple. Just lose weight. Riiight. That's why 64% of Americans are overweight.

The fat-stats are frightening. Of that 64%, 31% are "obese". Do you realize the significance of that? Lets play a number game. There is approx. 308,000,000 in the United States. (oh stop googling it, the point here not for 100% accuracy...now stay with me) So take 64% of that at you have 110,880,000. Thats insane. Look, I'm not criticizing people who are horizontally challenged. Hell I've been one my whole life and I still am. I just find those fact..scary? Nah, I find them bull.

What, you ask? You heard me. Total bull. Yes, I believe its a conspiracy. I'm serious. Really, stop laughing. I'm no conspirisist...c..o..n..whatever. But I do believe there are companies (and parts of government but we wont go there) that are in cahoots. Hear me out. I have been diabetic for almost 15 years. AH HA! Its 13, did you remember that or are you pretending to read? Anyway, in that time I saw the numbers for what they considered "diabetic" drop 3 times. When I was preggers, the number to be under was 140. Now days thats reason to go on meds. Really? Are you sitting there telling me you find it inconceivable that there are underground dealings between the medical field and the drug companies? Can you say kickbacks? When was the last time you went to the Dr and he didn't want to give you or someone in your family, a neighbor, a friend, a pet some kind of drug? Hell they told me when my daughter was 3 (lots of problems, long story and not for here lol) that she would need meds when she was older. Really? Are you a Dr or a psychic? Did they call the psychic hotline? And you'll note that my daughter is almost 14 and doesn't take nor need them.

Now, a 5 foot 7 Inch woman weighing 160 lbs is considered overweight and at risk for weight related diseases. Again I ask, really? A number on paper or a website does not define us. We are not created from cookie cutters, making us all the same. But it doesnt matter. Does it? This surgery I had, to qualify, you need only have a BMI of 51%. Thats all you need. You can be healthy as a horse, next to some 110 LB person who is sickly, but your eligable for surgery. No one sees a problem here? Not everyone who is overweight by these BMI standards is unhealthy. Or even overweight for that matter. Remember the 5'7 chick?

Ok, enough of that.

So anyway. I will admit that its a pleasure to see the monitor reading such low numbers. Curious though... 2 Drs told me after the surgery that as long as my numbers were under 140 they would be thrilled. Remeber that number? Interesting, no?

Have a great day everyone!

Just so you know I might not reply but I'm reading. This is better then my lazy house wife book LMFAO

LOL! I'm glad if even just a few people read. If I'm really lucky I can give hope, maybe inspire, give a little "education" and mostly make people smile. If I accomplish that, I'm thrilled!!

Love reading Nancy keep up the good work

I can't get enough. I wish you could post more often. You have captivated me.

Nancy: your posting have been great. You are 5 months ahead if me, as I am only 3 months out, but the most exciting thing is, your the closest person to me. I live in coopersburg pa. Had my surgery at Lehigh valley, dr peter rovito !!!! We need to chat !!!!!

1 year and 5 months lol! Had mine in Dec 2010

Happy to meet another Pennsylvanian! (is that a word?)

3 months out? How are you feeling????

I'm having trouble putting my avatar in. It cropped my pic wrong and my profile picture was my chest LOL!!!!

Nancy: I feel great. I feel very fortunate as the only issue I have had is dehydration one day. ( bad experience). I feel great. Have lost 47 lbs since surgery (6/4). It took me a little to get my energy back. Keep posting your stories/ blogs, love them.

??? Have you ever gone to the support groups at Lehigh valley ??

I'll be honest, I was SO turned off by the people I came across at St. Luke's that I have faced most of my journey alone (sans family of course but we know thats not the same) I had no interest in support groups since the people I came across were not... supportive LOL!

Sounds to me like you're doing wonderful! Grats and keep up the great work!!!

OMG fellow Pennsylvanian here!!!! I'm in Macungie, about 10-15 from Allentown. I thought I was all alone out here lol. Moved to PA from NY in January so besides having to get situated in a new town and state which is very different from where I came from, I had this surgery and no close friends to share it with. I mean, of course I have my fiancée and my 2 beautiful girls but sometimes you need a friend close by. This forum/app was the best thing everrrrrr! Love reading everyone's posts and seeing pics! It's encouraging and helpful. Had my surgery 8/27/12 @ lehigh valley hospital with Dr.Rovito. My weight on 8/27 was 255lbs and I'm 5'4. Haven't bought a scale yet. Think I wanna wait a little longer...

WOW! Hi NancyW. First welcome, so glad you found 'here' and I have enjoyed, lack of better word, reading your journey. Your pics? Give me such hope! Have had hurdles to deal with during pre surg. Haven't gotten to the gate yet!

hi had my surgery on the 28th battling my way through all the bs.

its hard but i try to keep my witts about me.

i feel like i should be eating more to satisfy me.

its hard as hell.