Christine H.
In April of 1994 (I weighed about 140 lbs) I experienced a life changing event. As a result, I gave up working in bars hanging out drinking 
and other night time recreational activities. In 1995 I went back to college and began persuing my degree in Social Work.
1996 I quit smoking for my 32nd birthday. 
I graduated with my Associates degree in 1998. Things were looking up I'd met the man I would marry in February 2000 and continuted to persue my education. In 2002 I graduated with my bachelors degree and went on to persue m Master's degree, which was earned in May 2007. 
Through all the schooling, I had been eating fast food, cramming for tests with a 5 lbs bag of M & M's. My husband was so supportive of my education and often fixed comfort food for me in an attempt to destress. I tried dieting over summers and through winter breaks. I even would start the Spring semester with a new resolve and a new work out routine. But eventually I would gain weight and give-in.
I knew quiting smoking and going to school would be a challenge, I knew I'd gain weight, and I knew I could loose it. But as the scale kept creeping upwards, I keep fighting to "accept myself". 
I started taking pain medication for my back, high blood pressure medicine, and suffering from stress incontenence. It was awful "growing old" but I was resigned to the fact that was what was occuring. 
When I turned 40, my mother starting experiencing even more severe consequences of her weight-especially not going anywhere because it was too painful for her to walk. I began learning more and more about the ill effects of obesity. I had learned I had sleep apnea and my evenings asleep were frequently interrupted by trips to the bathroom. I poured myself into my work in order to feel successful and like I had a full life. 
But the bleak truth was that I didn't have much of a life, it was all about eating or planning to eat. All the family and friend celebrations centered around food-and I loved to eat!
At 240 lbs I couldn't stand it anymore, I hated shopping and would frequently cry 
because something looked horrible or didn't fit. I began researching WLS, here at OH is where I found lots of information. I talked with others who had the surgery, I spoke with several surgeons office's who performed the surgery and finally settled on The Obesity Center in Washington, DC. Prior to surgery I weighed 242.5 lbs. 
On October 4th I left to go cruise the Mexican Riviera for a week aboard the "Love Boat" it was absolutely fabulous! 
I came back on the 18th rested for the weekend, and on October 23rd I had my surgery. Today, exactly 2 weeks after surgery I weigh 226.5 lbs and am on my way. 
Please contact me, if you have any questions about this process or my experience. I'd love to share more of the details with you.
