Everyone has that moment

in their life when they know they need to make some drastic changes.  This moment came to me about five years ago.  James showed me a picture he had snapped while taking pictures for Needville at the  regional volleyball tournament in San Antonio.

It was a picture of my parents,

my sister with her daughter Hannah and me.  As I looked at the picture, I wondered “Who is that person sitting with my family?” I could NOT believe what my eyes were seeing.  “I don’t look like that.”  I just kept staring at the photo. “THAT IS NOT ME….”

Hard cold truth is….

It was me.  I needed to make some changes.  I did the South Beach Diet and lost 60 pounds.  The diet worked.  I felt better and was a bit more active.  Only problem was I got off… and the weight started coming back.

I will tell you.

That picture is still on my iPad but I don’t need to pull it up.  The image is burned in my mind.  I don’t ever want to look, but more importantly, FEEL like that ever again.  So, an appointment was made with Doctor John Pilcher, gastric by-pass specialist.

Every emotion goes through your mind

when you are thinking about having this surgery.  My biggest emotion was FAILURE.  My gosh, I was an athlete in college.  I know how to control my weight.  I know how to stay in shape.  I know how to keep it off once I reach that point.  So WHY can’t I do it….?

This was a drastic choice.

While waiting to go back into surgery, I realized my sweat glands were on overload.  This was the very first surgery, I thought, I might not come out of alive.  The first panic attack making me realize this procedure was optional.   The doctor didn’t say “if you don’t have this you will die.”  It was elective.

April is the anniversary of my three year big decision,  the “THE SLEEVE.”

The BEST decision I made for ME.  I have lost 105 pounds and 8 dress sizes and I look better.  But, the biggest thing about the surgery is that I FEEL better.  I can move with ease and there are no aches going up and down the stairs anymore.  When we are harvesting cotton getting up and down the module builder is effortless, and if need be, I can climb in the builder and dig out the cotton.

I am not saying go have gastric by pass if you are overweight.

What I am saying is there will be moments in your life that are “life altering.” Think about your options.  Weight the pros and cons of the situation and make and informative decision.

My dad always says,

“When you make a decision go with it and don’t look back.”  I agree with him for the most part.  But in this case, I make my self glance back to remind me of where I’ve been and to reaffirm my conviction to never go back.  I also look forward with hope knowing that I am a healthier happier me.

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