Why Weight Loss Surgery? Jen's (Embarrassing) Weight Chronology

I wrote up the following chronology before going in to talk to both Dr. Macik and my primary care doctor about considering weight loss surgery..... I have no idea what possesses me to share such insane and personal information as the particulars of my weight gains and losses over the last 20 years, but, well, maybe I'm putting forth the information to help plead my case since I did finally come to the decision that I would consider weight loss surgery. Or maybe I'm thinking the following applies to more people out there than there are people that would admit it applies to them. Or, maybe, I spent all that time writing it up and figure I might as well share it!

Anyway, consider this "PART ONE" of a short series of entries explaining how I personally came to the conclusion that I felt the decision to have a drastic surgery was the best choice for me.

So, without further adieu, the story of my weight changes (with some pictures for emphasis, including some I added on June 10) :

I was never really a fat kid...

age 16-18: lost 10-15 lbs of extra weight mid-year with Swim Team and Slimfast Plan -- probably ranged from 120-140

age 19: gained weight Freshman college year-- probably up to 148 or so, then lost (ate less and swam laps in pool for a class) down to 127

Sophomore - Senior College Years: Gradually Gained Weight, was probably 190 at graduation

1995-1996 (Graduate School): followed Jenny Craig plan, lost 70 lbs, lowest was 124 or so

1996-1997 gradually put on more weight, perhaps up to 150 or so

Winter 1997-1998 unintentionally lost weight due to stress and only “time” for slimfast for lunch (lunch duty, new teacher, ran Middle School band program), back down to 126 lbs.

Summer 1998 -- Diagnosed with Depression (runs in my family), began anti-depressant meds, slowly put on a little more weight, but still had busy schedule, so not tons

1999-2000 -- changed schools, by winter depression was quite bad, slowly added more weight / quit teaching during spring and was out of work a few months, then to work for the Census -- probably got up to about 175 -- was wearing size 16

Fall 2000 -- moved to Baltimore, new job -- Began Weight Watchers in 02/2001 or so, got back down to 135-140, size 12-14

2001 -- 2002 -- lots of problems with severe depression, changed meds several times, put on a lot of weight. got to over 200, started shopping in plus size stores

Fall 2002 -- did some weight watchers online, down to 190 or so briefly, kept at 195ish

Summer/ Fall 2003 -- moderate depression problems returned, lots of counseling, med changes, gained weight back, then back over 200, up to maybe 220

Spring/Summer 2004 --- Asked Psychiatrist about weight gain due to meds, she suggested I’d just have to do WW-- did WW online, back down to about 200-205

2004-2005 -- weight gradually krept back up, traveling, met Ben, sold home, moved, etc

Fall 2005 -- Ben and I tried Southbeach -- I lost 15 lbs within a few weeks, but put it back on just as quickly

winter 2006 -- new pysciatrist, better job situation, supportive hubby, great counselor -- depression under control! (-:

09/2006 -- Ben and I did NutriSystem -- I started at 261.6, lost 22 lbs/ Joined LA Fitness and tried Water Aerobics for several months but then transferred to job other side of town and we sold our house, etc.

02/2007 -- after gaining a bit back during Holidays, etc. I tried Weight Watchers again

04/2007 -- Infertility doctor diagnosed with PCOS, put me on Metformin which gave me horrible symptoms of IBS, didn’t lose much weight at all

Fall 2008-11/2009 -- Ben and I did Doctor’s Care -- low carb concept developed by an MD, my allergist

02/2009 -- I didn’t like Doctor’s Care menu -- I started attending Weight Watchers, lost maybe 15 more pounds

Summer 2009 -- missed my sweets and coffee with cream and sugar too much -- fell off the wagon -- by 09/2009, I’m back to 265 lbs

01/2010-- at 266.5 (Christmas goodies?) --- first visit to Dr. Macik's office

Spring 2010 --- with the decision of weight loss surgery made, I gained another 7 lbs (up to 274) enjoying things I knew I could never enjoy again (I KNOW, total weakness, but I don't actually regret it.... )

During the two weeks before surgery I lost about 8 lbs doing low carb mandated by Dr. Macik. (Which was a darn good thing since he threatens us that we are NOT allowed to gain weight before our surgeries.....)

AND, TODAY, ONE WEEK AFTER SURGERY, I'M AT ABOUT 255! I've lost about a pound a day, believe it or not! And, nope, I don't feel hungry except a small twang when I need to eat something on my plan....

And, in case you are also wondering, someone in our small group tonight asked what we expect to get down to in the next year or so..... I think it is 100% reasonable to believe that I will get back to 135. And I get a HUGE thrill putting that goal onto paper. err, in writing. (-: