Yvonne McCarthy Bariatric Girl

Second Chance at Life! - Dallas

I have always thought the way they picked teams was unbelievably cruel. Even though I was chunky, I was very athletic and was always picked first BUT when it came to birthday parties I wasn't invited because of my size. I was used for the game only. It always broke my heart when the last few were chosen. I hope someone got smarter....I hope they don't still do that. I loved your story. I just wanted to let you know that I related so much. Thank you for sharing.

Kirsty I'll be right there for you. Stick with me kid! I'll talk you through the tough times and celebrate the victories. I'm so happy for you!!!!

Francis please do some research. In life you generally get what you pay for and I can't think of a better example. Please...check this out.

SO glad you're doing the medication for the stomach bacteria! We fear what we don't know. You'll be surprised how easy it is. You'll get sleepy and then you'll wake up and it will be done. You'll be groggy and if anything hurts at all just tell them and they will give you drugs to fix it. It's a breeze compared to when they cut you open (like me) and stayed in the hospital for 5 days. I want you to think about that 8 month baby girl and how you'd like to be around to raise her. You're 21 and you'll be able to live almost your entire life without being obese! I was obese for 30 years and had the surgery at 47. You are so lucky!! You are at the perfect place at the perfect time. It's OK to be scared. Please ask me anything. You can find me on my blog at bariatricgirl.com also. When you get through this you'll tell yourself you had nothing to fear. The hardest part will be right after surgery when you are wanting to eat for a coping mechanism and you can't. I was so hyped that I didn't really notice it. Pretty soon the weight falls off like magic but you MUST change your lifestyle. Let's just deal with one thing at a time though. Worrying into the next couple of years only takes precious energy from what you are trying to do right now and that's the most important time.

Hey Gbeana! Better late than never. I don't think I was notified when you posted. I love your story and can definitely relate. I'm very pleased that you have been able to maintain. Unfortunately there are many factors in whether or not we maintain. First we have to be educated about our disease. The education is lacking across the board and many of us are trying as hard as we can to share our experience. I do know many people who have gotten to the weight they want and maintained it without reconstructive surgery. I also know some that have had the reconstructive surgery that gained some back. A lot also depends on how severe their need for using food (or other things) as a coping mechanism and how self aware they are. Self awareness is all about knowing yourself, identifying old habits that are destructive and changing those to good habits into positive outcomes.

I work on my head every single day in 24 hour segments. Sometimes it all gets overwhelming and it's better to know that I just have to these things just for today. We can worry into the next ten years and that only stresses us more. The next day I start all over....fresh....no matter what. We cannot change the past.

When you look at the results from weight loss surgery you will find as many variations as sand on the ocean. Everybody's journey is different and sometimes the perception of how that journey has turned out gets turned around. Gbeana I see exactly why you are doing well and that's because you come from a place of gratefulness. Every day I remember where I was and how much better it is today. Nothing will ever be perfect but I can appreciate all that I have instead of concentrating on all that I don't have. It's a total waste of time and it brings those things into your life. My favorite most recent quote :"Worrying is praying for what you don't want". I'm really happy for you Gbeana and I wish you a continued, grateful journey.