Becky S.
Feb 4, 2009: Hello everyone who has read through my profile. I feel compelled to post on here, and it has been almost 2 years since doing so. My weight loss anniversary is coming up--7 YEARS! I am proud to say that I am still doing well. My husband and I have another child now. He just turned 1yrs old last month. Michael is now 5yrs old and in kindergarten. I'm a "little" heavier than I was at my last posting.
Long story short, when I got pregnant with Gabe I became weakened nutritionally and my iron/hemoglobin became dangerously low. My body was so use to running on bare minimums, and when the baby reached about 10wks gestation (which is about when their growth rate accelerates), I became a very sick girl--the baby was literally sucking the life out of me. It got to the point where I was so weak that I couldn't even go grocery shopping by myself, or drive more than 15mins from home by myself....nor could I work. Thank God for Dr. McHale. He delved into my issues even further and knew what to do to help me. My own physician also put me on an extremely high calorie/food intake diet (they were very concerned about the baby of course). I guess this isn't a short story lol. Anyway, I had to have a blood transfusion and then went through a 10-week regimen of IV iron infusions (it was actually a synthetic iron called Venofer). Needless to say, I recovered quickly and was even able to start working again. The baby was closely monitored throughout the pregancy and was born a healthy 7lbs 4oz. Gabe was my fourth child. My dr said I probably wouldn't be able to physically tolerate another pregnancy, so I chose to have my tubes tied (actually he told me I REALLY should have it done). I am also hypoglycemic as a result of the pregnancy. It started during the pregnancy, and has stayed with me since (but not as severe as when I was pregnant).
Now onto the weight thing. Because of all of the food I was eating, I ended up gaining a little over 40lbs (putting me over 170--yuck). When I last weighed on a scale about a week ago though, I was 147. I am wearing about a size 10 for most things (mostly medium clothes). But I have found that it is taking a lot longer to get the weight off. Though I am very active at my job (I am a phlebotomist at Avera McKennan Hospital), and I am still eating relatively well (maintaining lower fat diet, and fairly healthy), but my metabolism has changed. Trying to figure out the key to perking it up some. With that said, I am very happy with where I am though. I am still a far cry from that person 7 years ago. If I stay around this size, I'll be ok with that....HOWEVER I have A LOT of beautiful clothes that I cannot wear right now (sniff sniff). So even if I don't lose the acutal pounds....I wouldn't mind losing the inches. Maybe I should start doing palates again.....tell ya what....those exercises really DO work for firming up.
Despite the issues I have had , I still have ZERO regrets. I feel it's important to tell it how it is. I refuse to sugar-coat anything about this sugery. But you know what, I am happy. Before WLS, I could 'act' like I was happy. I was, and still am, a very bold and out-going person, I could go out and have fun, I had a great husband and two wonderful girls, but I wasn't truly happy, because I wasn't happy with myself. There are so many positive things that can come from this surgery, but there are also negatives (like I experienced with my pregnancy with Gabe). I just want those who want to have this surgery make sure they understand that it is a life-long commitment....not to losing weight, but to becoming healthy and staying healthy. Anyway who is 250+ pounds on a 5'5" frame walks around saying they are perfectly healthy is unrealistic, and lying to themselves and the world. There is nothing healthy about that. Anyway...I really need to get going. Much to do before little one wakes up from his afternoon nap. Oh, and i apologize for any typos....I didn't re-read this.
About Me
Before & After
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