In June of 2008, I was nearly two years into my Banded Living journey. I knew my surgeon was going to the annual meeting of bariatric surgeons and I searched for words, to thank him for the work he did to help me along this journey. I decided to come up with a list of things that I was grateful for as I broke free from the burdens of obesity.
It's amazing how much my life has changed as a result of Banded Living™! So here are the 10 top things I told Dr. Billy I was grateful for back in 2008:
- I am a better wife. I have more room in my heart now that I am no longer pre-occupied with the insecurities of being obese. I'm incredibly grateful to my husband for his support and understanding.
- I am a much better role model for my children. They don't have the pain of a fat mother. My kids model my eating and exercise habits.
- I am more fit today at forty seven than I ever was in my life. My primary care MD told me I was a ""great specimen""
- I look forward to waking up every morning. A black cloud has lifted.
- I've given away my old clothes. I know I won't need them again. There will be no more boxes in my attic filled with clothes in different sizes.
- I have a great support network. I know I have a team of people behind me 7x24 that is absolutely committed to my success
- I receive a lot more respect from strangers.
- I believe that my mom is looking down from above and smiling. I've broken a cycle that has plagued generations in my family.
- Instead of being the fattest person in the room, I've noticed that lately I'm often the fittest.
- Every day of my life, for as long as I can remember, I wondered what it would be like to live in a normal body. Now I have one, and I believe I have the tools and support to maintain a healthy body and appetite for the rest of my life.