Stephanie W.
My search for a weight loss solution began when I was 15 years old. I joined TOPS (taking Off Pounds Sensibly) and that I did. I lost 26 lbs in one year. I ate salads and drank diet Coke and ran 6 miles per day. My dad was right. I would never have a boyfriend unless I dropped the weight. I was 5'4 and 166 and 1/2 pounds. (chuby) but not obese... YET. I started dating shortly after losing weight. I looked Great and people told me so. My now husband and I started dating when I was17. My diet changed to pizza and more pizza. Seemed that was all we did on our date nights is eat. (wll not all we did) When I married him 1 1/2 years later at age 18 I weighed 145. Not to bad until I delivered my first baby 1 year later. At delivery I was 176. I never was able to lose my pregnancy weight and that is the beginning of my 18 year struggle. Seven years later I delivered my fourth child and weighed 220. I dieted and of course gained as usual now up to my highest weight of 232 1/2 In 1997 I joined a diet Center and lost 65 lbs in 6 months. Back down to 167. my goal was 145 but we moved to another state and I never did get to the mainaneance part of the program. I opened my own diet center thinking I would have to be accountable to others and this would help. It did for a while, but the weight came back on slowly. I struggled for two years at 199 never allowing myself to go over that 200 mark. I lost again another 25 lbs this time over the course of five months. Then... my little sister at age 28 found out she had cancer and 13 months later she went home to be with our wonderful Lord. I found out that food helped cover up grief. Shortly after Jennifer passed away I lost 10 more people that year. Some very close to me and some that were just business friends. Mostly all from cancer. I held my own pretty well for about 2 months after Jenn's death but realized life just seemed to short and I needed to eat. Well as my size 5 older sister says, "now Jennifer is dead and your fat, what good did over eating do"? Well to make a long story short, I over came emotional eating after that comment but still was not successful at losing. I joined a fitness center, hired a personal trainer for two straight months. I lost nothing. I went on an all organic diet and cleanse last January. I lost 12 pounds and in February gained in all back and I am now at my heaviest weight ever 245 and I shrunk an inch. So now I am really pudgy. I love myself for who I have become. Jennifer's death or new life has taught me so much. This life is not about me it is about everyone else. I live each day serving God. I have four birth children and now because of Jennifer 3 teenage foster children. But, I am still fat and that needs to change. I love me but I don't like what I see and how I can't fit into nice clothes. I also feel my health is deteriating and my bones and back ache all the time. I am now 37 and I feel like I am 77. I want to live a healthy life. I want to be strong and entergetic. I want to be healthy. I want to help others do the same. So..... In last resort and a lot of thinking and prayer I have decided to go one step further. I needed to find a tool to help me keep the weight off that I always work so hard to get off. I am opting for the Lap Band. I went to the informational seminar last February. I have tried several times to get the process started but for many reasons it just didn't happen when I wanted it to. Mostly because of Insurance changes and job loss etc. I am now working full time, my insurance kicked in Dec 4, 2006 and I have taken the first steps towards the lap band procedure. On January 2nd I sent my intake package to Crosby, MN Obesity Clinic. I had my records transfered on January 8th from my most recent clinic and I am now waiting for the records from a previos clinic to be sent so I can get approved for my first set of appointments. I am not nervous I am excited and anticipating this. I have not dieted or tried to lose weight since deciding last Feb to go through with the surgury and to be honest it's been fun! I am however ready to feel good again and become a little bit more structured with my eating habbits. My husband and family are very supportive. I have a great relationship with them and I know this will only enhance all of my relationships to come. Under this extra skin is alot of energy and enthusiasm for life. I can't wait to reveal it. My goal is health and 115 pounds to go. If my friend Jen S. can do it I can to!
