sueannspencer

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It’s been a year! A year since I kissed my husband goodbye and boarded a plane to Mexico for weight loss surgery, leaving him to celebrate our anniversary without me. I was a bit anxious, but firm in my resolve to change my life. I had a lot of good reasons: my mother died at 68 years old from sleep apnea. I had sleep apnea. In 2008, I was treated for breast cancer. Of the classic risk factors, I had only one: I was obese. After a bilateral mastectomy, chemotherapy, and reconstructive surgery, I still had only one risk factor for recurrence: I was still obese.  In the two years following cancer diagnosis and treatment, I had gained weight rather than lost it. I have a loving and supportive husband, children who include me in their lives, and grandchildren who have succumbed to my blatant manipulations for their affection. They think I’m the best Mimi on the planet. . . . and I intend to maintain my ranking! Quite simply, I had too much going for me to eat myself to death. I had lost and regained the same pounds enough times to build my own gymnastic team. I knew any diet I attempted was only a temporary measure, and I was so over that.  I started exploring weight loss surgery, recognizing that my health plan stated explicitly no coverage for any type of weight loss program. Zero, zilch, nada. Whatever I chose was coming out of my pocket. The Obesity Help website became my favorite resource. I read about all of the different types of surgeries, read hundreds of testimonials, ongoing posts about challenges, struggles, successes, and victories. Fairly quickly I determined that VSG was the best choice for me. Effective, few long-term complications, and lots and lots of happy patients posting here. I had a conversation with my husband about my wish to have surgery, and was able to address his concerns with what I had learned here. I picked my doctor, cashed in a couple of CD’s to pay the bill, recruited my intrepid sister as my wing woman, and made reservations. Fast forward 52 weeks.    Next week, I’m claiming my century club badge! I figure with this much less of me to love, all those wonderful folks in my cheering section will have to love me twice as much per pound. I may look into cosmetic surgery in a year or so, but for now, the flappy, floppy places are a not-so-subtle reminder of where I’ve been. I didn’t lose weight to wear a bikini or miniskirts. I’m a happy, happy grandmother. I lost weight to dance at my grandchildren’s weddings. . . all of them! And some of them aren’t born yet. I lost weight to be able to climb up in the attic to get down the special Christmas decorations. I lost weight to play on the floor with the aforementioned babies.  I’m not done losing weight. It’s moving slowly, but I’m not. I’ve reclaimed my life. I’m going to squeeze happiness out of every moment. This year, that sweet man is getting on the plane with me to take an anniversary trip. No seatbelt extender required. I’ll be able to keep up with those enthusiastic tour guides and not have to avoid stairs and small theater seats. If you are still considering surgery, or are struggling, consider not what is to be lost, but what is to be gained. There might be someone you want to dance with, too.

After months of providing documentation, paying for tests, and seeing multiple doctors for approvals, I was planning to have gastric bypass surgery in September 2008, right after returning from a cruise with friends and family.  The morning after we docked, I found a lump in my breast, and had a bilateral masectomy that September instead. 

After chemo and reconstruction, I was released to return to work, only to learn that my position had been eliminated.  Eight months of unemployment followed, during which my daughter and my husband also lost their positions.  And all the time, that nagging recognition that obesity is a prime factor in cancer recurrence.

Two years later, we are all once again gainfully employed.  But the insurance available to us doesn't cover any weight management procedures.  The only practical alternative is leaving the country for surgery, and that's exactly where I'm headed.  It's not the ideal situation, but something needs to happen.  I have a life to live!  Choosing the gastric sleeve procedure as opposed to gastric bypass is a choice I feel real good about, and one that I think will allow me to anticipate a strong and healthy future.  In the meantime, there's just that flight to San Diego...and spending my anniversary away from my husband.