I want to offer a special thanks to Janine
Engler. Here is her story:
My name is Janine Engler and I would like to
share with you my weight loss surgery journey. I have been
overweight my entire life. I can remember how I was always picked on
not only for my size but the clothing I wore. It really hurt. Not
everyone knows what it’s really like being big unless you are there
or have been there. It’s painful inside and out.
In 2000 I was my largest, weighing around 409
pounds. In 2001 I started researching gastric by-pass surgery. I
knew I had to take drastic measures to get a handle on my weight. I
had enough and I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. The
pain was becoming unbearable. I feared I would not be around to
watch my kids grow up or to grow old with my husband. It took me 2
years to make the big decision.
On June 30, 2003 I had surgery. I was ready and
excited to become a “big loser.” At the time of my surgery I weighed
381 pounds and was wearing a women’s size 32 or larger with a BMI of
56.3. I am 5 feet 9 inches tall and my ideal weight range should be
149-170 pounds.
When I awoke from surgery, I was sore and
scared. I was in the hospital 4 days and immediately the weight
began to come off. The first 26 days I lost 41 pounds, a pound or
more a day. With a very few plateaus, I have lost 224 pounds in 17
months. I am now 2 years post-op and I have maintained my weight at
157 pounds and feel great. I know I will be around longer for my
kids and husband.
I have to remind myself that this surgery is
ONLY a tool. You still must make healthy food choices and exercise
daily. It's a lifetime change. There have been a lot of head games
that have come along with the surgery for me. I still see myself at
400 pounds, but sometimes, if I am lucky, I say, “Wow that’s me! I
look great!”
I always worry about gaining my weight back.
Trust me, I keep a close eye on the scale. I have not undergone any
plastic surgery but want to. Although I am very surprised at how
well my skin has done, I still would like to have plastic surgery.
But it’s just a financial problem. Perhaps one day I will.
Everyone says to me, “Wow you were that big? I
would have never known because your skin looks great!” I think to
myself, ‘If you could only see me naked.’ It is really upsetting to
me to have a constant reminder of the old me. I want to finish my
journey and be free of that memory.
I have come so far in such a short period of
time. I want to enjoy my life to its fullest. The only thing I
regret regarding this surgery is I did not do it sooner!
I do believe that I will finish this journey,
but not on my time, on GOD’S time. It’s because of Him that I am
sharing this story with you now.
I have been truly blessed.
I thank you, Barbara, for letting me share my
story with you and your readers.
If anyone is interested in e-mailing me, feel
free.
Janine Engler
JanineGreenwood@HotMail.Com
Click Here for Janine's ObesityHelp profile
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Before |
After |
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. |