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| November 2007 |
No, I won't tell you how much I weighed when this picture was taken. It's obvious that my weight was totally out of control and it was killing me. My poor, sad, defective heart simply could not sustain me at this weight. How did I get this way? I could blame severe hypothyroidism and fibromyalgia. I have those problems, too, and they definitely were contributing factors. But, to be totally honest (a virtue I had to embrace in order to lose weight), it was mostly my own fault. I was never a glutton, but I made terrible food choices. And as my heart problems worsened, I became increasingly sedentary. The more weight I gained, the worse I felt, the more depressed I became, and the more I sought comfort in food. It was a vicious cycle. How did I break out of it?
Medicare saved my life...
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| November 2010 |
Some people may think it's wrong for Medicare to pay for gastric bypass surgery, as it did for me. But it really was and continues to be cost-effective. Remember, I was hospitalized 8 times in 2006. My husband's group insurance company paid more for each individual hospitalization than Medicare paid for my surgery. I've lost almost 200 pounds and I've only been hospitalized once since my surgery, 19 months ago. In addition, I no longer need to take several of the prescription medications I was taking before weight loss surgery, resulting in more cost savings.
A Much Happier Camper!
So, I had the surgery, and I'm so glad I did. I feel better about myself and my future. Was it cheating? Some people think so, but I don't. Weight loss surgery is simply a tool. It does not guarantee long-term, permanent weight loss. You may be able to eat only a little a time, but a few M & M's eaten all day long will eventually add up. You have to wrap your head around changing your inner self, not your outward appearance. Remember, I said I was never a glutton, but I made terrible food choices? I had to relearn how to eat and I had to make a commitment to making healthy choices FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. Many people, with or without having weight loss surgery, lose a lot of weight only to regain it one or two or five years down the road. As with alcoholism or drug addiction, maintaining weight loss, like sobriety, is a one day at a time business. Everyday, I strive to keep the weight off. Because of my heart, I'm still not able to be as physically active as I would like, but I try to keep moving with things like gardening. I've learned to use less fattening ingredients and techniques when I cook. Also, I think about every bite I put in my mouth and usually make the right choice. However, chocolate will always be an essential female hormone, at least for me, and a Twix now and then is irresistible. Ah well, we all have our Achilles heels, don't we?
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| Cherry Tomatoes From My Garden |
I'm beginning to feel like I might be able to go back to work. I don't enjoy riding the entitlement bus. It's a drain on society and there's no future and very little security in it. I want to get back in the game, coach! I just have a little more work to do.
Next: Higher Level Reconstruction
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Cheating? Whatever works is just fine. Ferrero Roche Chocolates is my weakness. I wouldn't want it any other way. Man, wish I had some now.
ReplyDeleteIt was your strength and will power that pulled you to sail in the right direction Edie. Like some others, you are an Inspiration too and pray others will get motivated from your sensible action.
ReplyDelete