Penny's Weight Loss Story

by Penny Whaley
(Clovis, NM )

Date: 12/27/07

How long since surgery? 8 weeks

Type of surgery: Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

I am 34 years old. I've been looking into WLS (weight loss surgery) for the past six or seven years.

At times, I've been completely convinced that surgery was my best and only option and at other times, I've felt that having surgery would be the ultimate confirmation that I've failed to do this on my own.

I've lost weight many times, only to turn around and gain even more back. So, that made me afraid to try any more diets, medications, or programs because I don't want to continue getting larger and larger. I had resolved to wait for God to answer my years of prayers with some kind of an answer or guidance.

I have felt very hopeless and in a way, I've felt very trapped by my obesity. I had no energy, my blood pressure was up, I was on the verge of being a diabetic. There are many heart problems in my family and I was having trouble with my heart rate going out of control by climbing a flight of stairs.

I was miserably uncomfortable with myself.

In all other areas of my life, I have been incredibly blessed. I am married with 4 beautiful boys ages 6, 8, 11, 13, and many loving and caring friends and family. However, I always feel held back by my weight. I don't think I'll ever feel comfortable in my own skin until, well...I have less of it. ;).

I started out asking my Primary care doctor about having surgery, he put in the referral, one month later, Oct 30, 2007, I was having surgery. I am now eight weeks out and have lost 48 lbs. I feel so much better, I am off all my blood pressure medication, I have more energy, I just overall feel so much better.

The beginning was a little tough, learning to eat all over again, learning to eat slow and learning how to eat small portions. But the good thing is that your body will teach you, it won't let you eat too much because it will make sick if you try. I would do it all again, I love how I feel. I have a long way to go, but this so far has been all worth it to me.

Keep up with Penny's experience at her WLS blog.