Sept 24 will always be one of the most important days in my life. Its the day I had my surgery and started a new life. My surgical nurse said "Happy birthday" to me when I woke up in recovery, and I fully understand what she meant. It was definitely the start of my new life. I have been fortunate to have lots of support and not struggle with health issues post op. Three years out and I still am active with my hospitals weight management program, even guest speaking occasionally at the pre op meetings. My hospital offers a lot of post op support and I continue to take advantage of this. I guess what I want to say is that my sleeve doesn't define me. My anniversary came and went without fanfare, without a post but with the daily habits that I continue to live by. I am no longer perceived as the person that lost a lot of weight. Many people don't know that person and most have forgotten who that person was. I will never forget because I lived behind that curtain for so many years. I love who I am now, even though I am still insecure with the thinner me. After being overweight almost my entire life, I find it difficult not to see a fat person. Not all the time, but enough that it bothers me. I would love to hear from others about this and how they are dealing with it.
I did submit to my insurance to have a tummy tuck and I was denied twice with the reason that it is cosmetic. Maybe to them it is, but to me I still see that fat person. I am paying to have an upper arm lift. It is the part of me that bothers me the most. I am self paying and can't wait to get rid of all the skin. All the weight training in the world will never get rid of the extra skin.
This post is really a celebration of who I am now, with my faults and insecurities. I live for those non surgical victories, for they are the most rewarding. Thanks for reading.
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