I want to offer a special thanks to Annette
Moore. Here is her story:
My name is Annette and I am married with two
children. I have been overweight all my life. My weight had been
spiraling out of control for far too long and I reached a point when
it was time for me to get my life back!
Before my surgery, I had feelings of despair
and I suffered from depression. I had cut myself off from my church,
my family and friends and did not want to leave the house. I had
even tried to commit suicide. I was in this deep dark pit with no
light at the end of the tunnel, so I thought.
One day the Lord touched my heart and told me
that I had work to do! The Lord touched my life and delivered me
from the dark pit of depression and despair and told me I needed to
get my life together.
I had always dreamt of being smaller but when I
dieted, I never really reached my goal. I had tried many diets over
the years only to gain weight back plus some. When I say I have
tried every diet, you can believe it. I have tried everything from
Weight Watcher’s to diet pills, diet teas, laxatives and even
binging and purging. I am not proud of the damage I did to my body.
I did not love myself enough to stop the acts of self-destruction.
The Lord stepped in right on time and put me on a path that I never
even thought about before, weight loss surgery.
At first the thought of such a drastic step was
just out of the question. I was once one of the skeptics that
thought it was the “easy way out,” but, who am I to judge? The more
I read, the more I learned that it’s not the “easy way out”. This
surgery is just a “tool” to assist me in weight loss and I will
have to work almost as hard as someone who has not had weight loss
surgery. This is a “lifestyle” change. This is for life!!
One day, I finally broke down and went to the
doctor. I had always stayed away from doctors in the past because of
shame. I would only go when I absolutely, positively had to go. I
explained my situation to my primary care physician. I told him I
wanted to get control of my weight. I told him I was considering
weight loss surgery and wanted to know what I needed to do. He
stated he supported me 100%. He explained the process and the
insurance requirements and told me the whole process would take
about a year.
I had gastric bypass surgery November 1, 2004
and my life has totally changed physically, spiritually and
emotionally for the better. I am now able to run and play with my
two children without gasping for air. Eight months after surgery, I
was taken off my blood pressure medicine. God is so good!
My energy level is unbelievable. I am part of
life again. I enjoy going to my water aerobics classes everyday.
I
can buy clothes off the rack in stores, cross my legs, and wear high
heels. My ankles and knees have stopped hurting. Most of all, I LOVE ME!!
God has given me my self love back. He allowed me to have this
surgery and to share my story with others. He uses my life as a
testimony to others. He is using me to help and encourage others. If
I had it to do over again, I would have the surgery again in a heart
beat!
It has been a little over a year since I had
weight loss surgery and to date, I have lost 158 pounds and
I’m still losing! I am 24 pounds from my personal goal. Losing
weight truly takes you on an emotional, physical and spiritual
journey and I am definitely not taking anything for granted. I take
one day at a time!
Annette Moore
ampmdm2@msn.com
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Congratulations Annette |
I love good news. If you have good news, a
success story to share, or inspiration,
please send it to me at
Barbara@WLScenter.com so that I can
include it in future issues. |