kbowman2
Hi everyone! If you've come to my profile then I guess you want to know about me so... here goes.
Well, I was a normal sized kid until around 6 years old. I remember all my clothes getting tight and my Mom having to shop in the Sears Pretty Plus section for me.
I was teased relentlessly in school. I was called fat, some called out "Suey!" (pig call) when I walked by, I had M&M's thrown at the back of my head on the bus and was constantly bullied throughout grade school and halfway through middle school. 
By the age of 10 I was in Weight Watchers. At 13 I was a women's size 18 in jeans (tops more like a 22). I found that when I started getting pissed off and beating the crap out of people who teased me then they finally left me alone. 
But after I had to fight I would always privately cry because I didn't want to fight in the first place. 
In high school I was still being talked about- just not to my face. I could see the glances, the whispers, etc. I always had a problem dating due to my size. I was cheated on and hurt by many. 
My life as an adult started and I just continued to gain weight. I have tried Weight Watchers several times, LA Weight Loss, Atkins, Fat Free and just about any other diet out there.
I reached my heaviest in the fall of 2009. After being on disability for spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, herniated discs and one ruptured disc I started gaining more weight. I topped the scales at 397 
and was diagnosed with diabetes and high blood pressure. I never thought I could be that big.
I went to 3 surgeons for my back and all three told me that I'd have to lose at least half of my body weight. I knew without being able to exercise, there was no way I could accomplish this. 
I started looking into gastric bypass. I had reservations about the surgery because my Mother died of long term vitamin and nutrient deficiency. She had her surgery in 1984 at 450 lbs. and died at 220 lbs. in 2001 (long story). This happened when I was 26 and I was devastated to lose her. 
With no other options for my pain, I decided I had no other decision.
After I found out about my diabetes, I got scared. I cut all sugar out of my diet and changed all my pastas and breads over to wheat from white. By doing that and following guidelines from my pre-opt classes I lost 30 pounds before surgery. 
On 4/13/10 at 367 pounds Dr. Peters of CHRIAS in Delaware gave me the roux-en-y gastric bypass.
I am three weeks out today and have already lost an additional 30 pounds. 
The surgery was hard on me at first...I was unable to eat or drink without vomiting but every day gets better. Right now I am trying to diversify my diet with different things that taste good to me. I'll be happy when I can start having soft noodles and crackers. That might be next week, but I guess it's all what the surgeon says. My favorite eats right now are mashed potatoes, creamed soups and pureed beans. I also love my sugar free Rita's water ice. 
I am getting my multi-vitamin, calcium and b-12 in just fine. I'm still working on getting my Urso-forte in (I can't stomach it right now), my iron and my omega-3 (so that hopefully I don't lose too much hair...don't have much as it is). Each day is a work in progress and I can't wait until I can sleep on my stomach again (my favorite position for the back pain).
Thanks for caring enough to read about me. I'd love to hear your story. If you're nice and you want a friend on here go ahead and add me. I love this website! 
