The Process

I know I'm not the best at updating, and I promise I will get better!  I hear many people say that WLS is taking the "easy way out".  I beg to differ!  I have been to counselors, sat in group lifestyle changes classes, worked with nutritionists, and exercise physiologists, been part of so many different diet program including medically supervised ones all in the name of trying to lose weight.  I diligently track what I eat, measuring and weighing out my food.  I exercise daily, usually walking with a friend, but also lifting light weights, and the pounds just DO NOT COME OFF!

Right now, I am involved in what I lovingly refer to as "The Process".  In order to be eligible for WLS through my insurance, I need to meet certain criteria.  I have to be either over a BMI of 30 but less than 40 with a few known comorbidities or have a BMI of at least 40.

Well folks, let's just say that I would qualify either way.  My BMI is 54, and I have PCOS, and Diabetes.  Plus, it hurts to move and I don't think my knees can take much more of this.  Since I know that I qualify, there are several requirements that I need to fulfill. All summer, I have been seeing doctors, working on losing weight and trying to meet the clinic requirements.  The ONLY thing left on my "TO Do" list is to lose the 30 pounds I need to lose before surgery.  I'm required to lose 10% of my starting body weight to show my commitment to the program.

SIGH!  If I could lose 30 pounds on my own, I wouldn't be here in the first place!  So I am trucking along, at 1200 cal a day trying to drop the pounds.  While some would argue that it's not enough to eat 1200 calories per day, at my size, with my activity level, it should be enough to at least drop some weight.  It's more than I was eating on my medically supervised diet. So over the next few weeks, as I struggle to lose the final 20 pounds I need to go, think of me and remember why I chose to do this.  I know it might seem extreme, and it is a tough and very personal decision, but I believe that if I don't do something now, while I am still relatively young, I might not have much time to truly enjoy my life when I'm older.