Cheryl W.
I am 31 years old, married with a 9 year old son. I work in the Financial industry, at a desk job. I have been overweight since I was about 7 years old. I have tried every diet out there, and they all work for a short period of time, but when I lost motivation, then the weight would come back. My mom is a fabulous cook, and we lead very sedentary lives. I have always heard of gastric bypass, but never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would go as far as to change my anatomy to lose weight. I am tired of being fat. I am tired of the restrictions in EVERY aspect of my life. My son deserves a healthy and energetic mother. He deserves someone who won't make excuses anytime he asks me to do anything physical with him. My husband deserves a wife he can be proud of. If he meets someone in public he works with, I walk away from him, so he doesn't have to introduce me as his wife. I have missed way too many events because of my weight. I want to live my life the way it should be. I am lucky to be tall because people can't guess my weight, and I carry it well. I have always been known as the funny girl, so I make friends easily (if I am approached first) and people think I have a bitchy attitude and I don't take shit from anyone. Honestly, it is just a front. Inside I am screaming and I am scared of what others think about me. I see children looking at me weird, I see adults turn away, I see favortism to thin co-workers. I am infertile because of my weight. My husband and I have not used birth control for 8 years. I am the cause of not being to conceive another child. My son will be an only child, (who begs us for a sibling) but we have decided now that due to our ages that we are not going to have any more children. I was the cause of this. My son is starting to put on weight. He has come home upset on a few occasions because of children making comments. I am the cause of this too. I don't want my son to hurt because I am not advocating excercise, letting him eat crap and 'allowing' him to gain weight. I don't want him to hurt because kids are teasing him about his fat mother. I wonder how did I become so selfish that I would let my son endure all of this? My son is sooo sweet. If I ever make any 'fat-ass' comments about myself, he says 'no mom, you are beautiful'. How did I get so lucky and blessed with such a wonderful child? I struggled with the WLS surgery decision, spiritually as well. I have prayed and prayed about this, and I know in my heart I am MEANT to do this. I know I will be fine through this procedure and what is to come later. God is not done with me yet. I haven't fulfilled His purposes yet on this Earth. This whole surgery issue has been WAY too easy. I put in the paperwork, was approved for the consult, met the surgeon, was approved, OHIP approved the surgery in less than 2 weeks, I passed all the tests, and now I meet with him to get a date booked on Friday. It is all by the grace of God. I know this for a fact. Even my surgeon is a man of faith. I have lost the weight he wanted (and more!) and all my blood work/chest x-ray/ecg was normal. I am meant to have this surgery and move from glory to glory....it's that simple, and I KNOW this. I want to become a better person, happier, friendlier, more outgoing, and mostly importantly a better mother and wife. Not very many people get a second chance at life. I will. And I am going to embrace that opportunity, and I am going to take it for all it's worth. I can't wait for my life to begin again. Saying thank you to God and all the people involved will never be enough...blessings to all.
