My journey with weight loss surgery. I began this blog in October 2011 when I was first considering surgery for real. Join me as I detail the whole process.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Consult with the Surgeon

Today is my consult with Dr. Malipur at Huntsville Hospital's weightloss surgery center. Last Tuesday I went to his seminar at the hospital. It was super convenient because I teach a childbirth class right across the hall from the lecture hall on Tuesdays. I really liked him and his staff. He is very frank about the disease process of obesity and the various procedures he offers.

Currently, he does RNY, banding (Realize, I believe) and sleeve. I went into this thinking I wanted banding and nothing else. Now, I think that is my least desirable choice. And that is a good thing because it sounds like he doesn't like that surgery and favors RNY. He hasn't been doing sleeves for very long so there will be some questions there. I feel confident that together we will choose the right one. Also, insurance may deny sleeve so I'm not putting all of my hopes into one procedure over another.
Today, my weight is 331. I'm going to call that my official highest weight. I can't remember a time when it has been higher (except at the end of my last pregnancy) so I will go from here.

Took some terrible bathroom shots this morning. Here they are. I need my husband to take good shots of me this weekend. Probably, the doctor will take some shots later today as well.


Friday, October 21, 2011

The Beginning of the End




My name is Erin and I eat way too much.
All of the time.
And I sit around. A lot.
All of this has caused me to gain an enormous amount of weight since the age of about 17. Prior to that I was average weight or maybe a little heavy. At least in my 17 year-old brain. Now, at 33. I have spent literally half of my life very overweight, obese, and finally morbidly obese.
The story is the same as millions of others. I have tried several brand-name diets with varying success with each. Ultimately, I failed these diets and gained all of the lost weight back and then some.
I am worried for my health, for my family's well-being and I am sick and tired of being sick and tired.
So, as a last resort I am turning to surgery.
At first I thought this was the ultimate failure but now I realize that it is a great opportunity.
A blessing that will help me fulfill my dreams.
And I am actually excited.
I have been mulling over surgery for some time. With three small children ages 7, 3 and 2 at home there was no way I could do this up to this point. I still pick up 2 of the kids at least several times a day. But over the next six months that will decrease. The 2-year-old will be potty trained, the 3-year-old will have to learn to deal and the 7-year-old will have to learn to help a little more.
The journey is just beginning. Or is the nightmare finally ending? We will see. More updates about the plans and my fears and my stats later. Thanks y'all.