Let’s show some BWLW love to Renee who lost 147 pounds with gastric bypass weight loss surgery. This is what she shared with us:
Hi, just wanted to write to you about my journey. I was always a big girl and then through some years of just not caring, I managed to gain up to 400 pounds. Having just turned 40, I panicked and started getting very concerned about developing more serious health problems. As it was, walking a couple of blocks was difficult and forget about walking up and down stairs. I have tried almost every weight loss plan. I always managed to lose a little weight and then ultimately ended up gaining back more. Another obese friend of mine had weight loss surgery and as hard as it was for me to admit that I need surgical intervention, I got real and started looking into it.
Folks that feel that weight loss surgery is a “quick fix” or “the easy way out” obviously have not gone through the process. Emotionally, psychologically, physically and medically, it is a lot to prepare for, a lot to go through, recover from and maintain. With the Lord’s grace, I had successful gastric bypass surgery back in 2004. I would have been happy to just lose 100 pounds. To just be under 300 pounds would have been a blessing. However, I developed ulcers (where I couldn’t eat hardly anything for weeks) and ended up going down to as low as 210 pounds but it was a false low. Once I got healthy again, I gained some weight back and settled at about 225 pounds for years. For a while, I started slipping again because even though weight loss surgery is a great tool, diet and exercise is crucial in order to KEEP the weight off. I ended up gaining back to 265 pounds and fought back. I went down to 245 pounds and now I am back up to 253 pounds and fighting back once again. The journey is endless. It’s a lifestyle issue, but when I see myself creeping back up, I keep fighting the good fight. It is difficult, I admit but I tell myself that NO FOOD tastes as good as feeling healthy feels. Thank you for reading my story. I just want others to know that this is no perfect science and even with WLS, it is possible to backslide. No matter what, it is not over and you can always get your focus back and recommit to health!
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