CHRISTINE LORBEER
My story of my weight is not a long one. I have always been thin until I was sexually assaulted at age 24 in the military. I gradually gained weight feeling safe. I was over weight for the military by 20 lbs. They said to lose it or be discharged. I went on Nutri Sysstem and lost 30 lbs, being thin once again. Shortly after that, a man in my apt complex started to stalk me. He learned my work schedule by watching me come and go. He would be near my car when I left for work and would be in my parking spot when I return. He always got out of my way but not before making gross sexual comments. I started to gain weight again (Out of military at this time). I was never harassed when I was heavy. I felt safe. I then got fired from a job that a co-worker set me up. I was depressed and gained 40 lbs in4 months without relizing it. That was in 1996. In 1999 I had severe Pneumonia. 8/mo later, I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS). It wipes out all your energy and are in pain 24 hrs a day. I gained more weight. In those 9 yrs from being attacked, I went from being 130lbs to 210lbs. I tried all diets, but the FMS battled with my body and the hunger hormone grehlin making my body think it was always in starvation mode. As of Jan 25, 2008, I was 236lbs.
I had 2 fiends that got the lap band and a cousin who got the bypass. I decided the lap band would be better for me then the bypass. The bypass scares the heck out of me. I think because my cousin had a tough time with recovery and there are the stories of people who have died from that surgery. The lap band scared me only because I have a needle phobia and you have to get monthly fills. I also did not like the idea of a foreign object in my body forever. However, I went to 2 seminars at 2 different weight loss centers. I chose Puget Sound Surgical Center. I loved the doctors. They also talked about a mew procedure called Gastic Sleeve. There is no bypass and no foreign objects. The scary thing though, is they remove 80% of your stomach and is not reversible of course. Howver, I am ready for it......I think.
Surgery is this Thursday...3 days to go. I am nervous. I have not told a lot of people at work. I told my mom and 1 sister first. Then as time got closer I told another sister and my brother....I knew they would not be supportive of this. They are just scared for me and wish I would lose the weight in a diff way. Not only do both our parents have severe type 2 diabetes, but with my FMS, losing weight is nearly impossible in the conventional ways. I feel this is my last option.
I do not want to wait until I am diabetic or have other serious problems. Because I dont have these problems yet, insurance will not pay for the surgery. They don't believe in preventive medicine. My husband and I look at it as an investment into my health and a long life.
God bless all of you making the decision get healty. I know this is not an easy way out. Infact, I think dieting and exercsing is easier than facing surgery and its complications.
By the way, I got counseling for the sexual assault mentioned above and feel I have healed a great deal from it. I do not think it will sabotage my weight any more.
God Bless
Christine
