La_Chispa
"Tina the ballerina from Argentina wears a bikina..." My 6th grade science teacher used to spout this little ditty every time he called on me. It didn't take long for the boys in class to change that last part to "can't fit in a bikina."
I've been at some stage or another of the diet-coaster since I was 8 years old. My mom is a former model & was literally obsessed with appearances, both her own & everyone Else's. While she would never say anything disparaging directly to me, I always managed to find myself in her comments about others. I distinctly remember weekly weigh-ins and food diaries, protein bars and health food stores... Atkins and Pritikin should not be words in a child's vocabulary. Of course, Mom was also a pretty severe alcoholic. She didn't need food, she drank most of her meals. Food stealing & hoarding quickly became my M.O. - Food, my own personal insurrection. I flipped off the world with a Twinkie.
Just before High School I moved in with my Dad, and 2000 miles away from Mom. The rage slowly dissipated but the bad habits remained. Food was my sanctuary, guilt my motivation. The roller coaster kept on and on...
While researching 'new & improved' weight loss tools in the late 90's, I stumbled upon the FDA clinical trials for the Adjustable Gastric Band but missed the application deadline by 2 weeks. I've spent much of the time since then trying to straighten out my head and my life, finding my place on this planet, and learning everything i could about WLS.
Close to 10 years later, 238 lbs, osteo-arthritis, GERD and mild apnea. Enough is enough. I am far too young to feel this damn old. I've decided LAP RNY is the right tool for the job. Stop the ride, I wanna get off. And I am absolutely committed to taking the long stairs down to a healthy life.
My surgery is tomorrow, April 6th.
Here we go! 
