December 2008
Since age 16, I’ve done everything you can imagine to try and lose weight: The Cambridge fast. The Atkins diet. Weight Watchers. Jenny Craig. Exercise. Portion control. Thinking myself thin. I also tried just living with it and getting involved with the size acceptance community. I met a lot of great people but inside I never felt quite right. Because nothing worked.
I had many a friend who had weight loss surgery, with amazing results too! But there I sat – on the fence about it for ten years!! The decision was so damn difficult for me to make. To top it off, I was starting to have joint pain and that would keep me from wanting to move. Because of my health issues I stopped doing the things I loved and I began staying at home more and more.
Then, one day, after a heart to heart talk with my physician, she said….”Obviously you’ve tried to lose the weight with all the programs you’ve done through the years.”
“Maybe it’s OK to get a little bit of help.“
After that, my physician’s office wrote the surgical referral letter and I was approved for the Bariatric surgery program. The approval process was next, with all the required tests, consultations, and a large group pre surgery orientation. Finally it was time for my guy Chris and I to meet my surgeon Jeffery T. Landers. Our time together with Dr. Landers went very well and when the meeting ended, Chris and I had no doubts that I’d be totally taken care of.
…And so, on March 4th, 2009, I did it. I had weight loss surgery.
April 2010
June 2010
December 2008 & June 2010
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
You are looking great! I am cheering for you.
Marc, Thank you for the cheers!
Good for you!! It’s a great feeling to take control and reclaim your health!
Melinda´s last blog ..Hello, My Dear
Nice to see you have the bolg and rolling. I just linked you up in the BTV blogroll.
Mike
Big Mickey´s last blog ..Episode 37 – Do You Like Gadgets?
Thanks for stopping by….”Not so Big Mike” and Melinda.
Yes, there is a lot of health reclaiming going on for sure!
I LOVE your blog Linda!!! keep it goin and keep feeling great!xxoo
Linda, BIG big kudos to you for not only getting the help you needed, but for not handing your issues over to someone else as if you had no part in transforming your life.
Your story is truly one of connecting with and relying on the best available resources outside yourself, while knowing that the deepest and most abiding resource abides within you.
I am so impressed with your super-duper progress and can’t wait to see what’s on the horizon for you. You are tearin’ it up, girl.. and there’s lots more to come!
xoxo
Helen
CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and of course lots of hugs to go with it.
You’re looking wonderful.
Linda,
Congratulations on all your hard work and success! You are an excellent example of why bariatric surgery is so satisfying. We work hard for 90-120 minutes in the O.R., and you, the rest of your life, and together we cure more disease than any other field in medicine.
I really appreciate you reaching out to provide another source of support for people. You should be very proud!
Be well!
JT Landers
Thank you Dr. Landers – Both for stopping by the site and for your comment. Much appreciated. See you in a couple weeks at the follow up appointment.
OMG, I never saw your before picture! You should post that one above the comparison videos. AMAZING! From the Day 1 Body Shot to Victoria Secret Struttin’ in Skinny Jeans! Awesome! And you got yourself a cute doctor too… hmmm… no wonder your progress is going so well!
hi linda,
so proud of you! and so happy for you… i also love the illustrations. and you look absolutely beautiful in the youtube videos.
can’t wait to see you again.
love, arti