You always hear about the newest weight loss sensation. Gastric Bypass, the Lap Band, Liposuction, Sensa, Pills, and the newest gadget that can get you fit overnight. The serious is that you didn’t get FAT overnight. They never tell about the stress these procedures put on your body. In my life there are 2 Awesome Women whom I love dearly. The first was my cousin Debbie, a beautiful, vibrant woman with a vivacious personality everyone who met her loved her instant. She had a passion for her family and helping people. They thing that seem to slip through her hands was her weight; when she was younger she was a beautiful black Barbie doll. At that time she was 5’9 and weighed 180 lbs. on her wedding day, she just took your breath away. As the years went by life began to take a toll on her school, work and family. She began to gain weight which was a constant struggle for her. At her heaviest, she weighed 340 lbs. +, still beautiful but very unhealthy. She would always workout to lose weight but this time, she had developed a problem with Diabetes. So she decided to have a gastric bypass, against the wishes of our family. We always marveled on how should would get healthy and lose the extra weight. But this time she went for a quick fix. The surgery was a success on the outside but the trauma her body took on the inside was devastating for us. After the surgery, she gradually went for 340 + to 180 lbs. She didn’t look like herself but she was happy. Not long after this, she began to have major medical problems, blood pressure was erratic, and it took a toll on her. I always looked up to and loved my cousin; for me she was my sister, my first babysitter the first young woman I admired. You know you always look up to your mom or your aunts, but no having an older sister, she became that for me.
One Thursday evening we talked on the phone and laughed we each other. She wanted to encourage me and let me know she loved me and would always be there for me because my husband had just survived 2 strokes. I felt her love and encouragement. The next day she suddenly died of a massive heart attack, the doctor told us that her gastric bypass led to the stress on her heart. Even though, she made this decision for herself. It turned out to be a mistake. As women, we feel that we need to fit into a mold or an image in our mind. Just the way society views people who are overweight. I’m not saying that a gastric bypass is bad for you but it’s a desperate decision. It may work for some but for my family it was a tragedy. This beautiful light taken from us at the age of 55 years old. The 2nd woman in my life is my sister Ann. Another happily married woman with 2 children a daughter in her 1st year of college and an 11 yr. old son. She wasn’t one to exercise or even walk to get fit. Being in North Carolina she drives everywhere. She felt that she wanted to be smaller, instead of being 5’5” and 220 lbs. she wanted to weigh 130. Her husband loved her just as she was but she was unsure of her own self-image. She decided to have gastric bypass surgery a year ago. Since then she has been having medical problems from her immune system being unable to fight off common things our bodies natural defenses take care of. Over the last 10 month she has been in and out of the hospital because of digestion problems. The most extreme is going from not being able to walk or move her limbs having to be put in a nursing home, not being able to talk. Yes, this has been ongoing. Last week she was able to move her arms and write down what she wanted to say to you but still unable to talk. Now she is in critical condition because of her digestion system being blocked by food and waste. The doctor tells us that its touch and go. She is sedated and until they see what the next 48 hours hold. But the doctor is adamant about reversing her gastric bypass surgery as soon as she gets a little stronger. Now I know that this surgery is success for some people but do we really know the toll it’s taken on them, yes they are smaller, look healthier but what is the real cost. Both of these women have made an impact in my life and I love them for each and every moment.
Being on my weight loss journey, I am thankful that my doctor told me to by a new pair of sneakers and hit the pavement. I’m glad I found Beach body, and have a passion to help people get fit and healthy. Be able to make a lifestyle change and gradually get fit the correct way. Thanks to Beach body and my Fit Phatty Sisters/Brothers their support is priceless. So stay in constant pursuit of your goals and dreams…..this will lead to your Ultimate Success.
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