My life prior to surgery was miserable! My entire body ached, all the time. I would go to the doctor and tell them that my entire body hurt, from head to toe and my doctor would ask me to pinpoint it and I’d respond that I just did! Every morning I dreaded getting out of bed and taking that first step.
I have no pictures of significant life events because I would always exclude myself from having my picture taken. I didn’t go places where I couldn’t wear baggy clothes. I didn’t go out in the summer because of my body – I would never wear shorts or even a t-shirt in public. I wore black every day (’black is slimming’, or so I thought) – you would never catch me in white, or any other color other than black.
As far as other weight loss programs went, you name it, I tried it. Hundreds of thousands of dollars spent in about 30 years on fad diets, Nutrisystem, Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, pills, etc.
I would yoyo with my diet: Lose 25 – gain 50. Lose 40 – gain 65. Lose 75 – gain 125. It was a vicious cycle.
The tipping point for me was when my friend got married in November 2020 and I was her Maid of Honor. The dress was size 26! I know that bride’s maid dresses tend to run big but holy hell, size 26? I was so disappointed in how big I looked! I apologized for ruining her wedding photos (I know I didn’t, but that’s how I felt).
When I finally scheduled my consultation, I felt utterly defeated. At this point, I just wanted to be healthy. At my consultation, Dr. Landerholm informed me all about the procedure, the changes I would need to make both before and after surgery. Once I had satisfied my health and insurance requirements, I was able to schedule my surgery in June 2021. I was excited and nervous!
After my surgery, Dr. Landerholm explained to me that my stomach was one of the biggest he had operated on. Basically I was overeating at every meal. My stomach would only half digest the food and then my brain would tell me that I was hungry again. I would have never lost weight on my own! I was battling a large stomach.
Since my surgery, I have lost 108 lbs. I went from a size 24 to a 10. I am finally healthy! I am in pictures now! I can tie my shoes! I don’t get winded walking to the mailbox.
I WORE A BIKINI FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 30 YEARS!!!
If you are considering weight loss surgery, do it now. It will change your life! Do not wait!
