Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Who’s That Girl?


Who’s That Girl?
Here is just a little bit about me… I am a 32 year old happily married and fairly new mother living in Harrisburg, PA. I have struggled with my weight since about 13. Before then, my father’s nickname for me was “Bones” because I was so skinny. Sometimes he still calls me that…grrr. I wish he would call me Reggie like everybody else. I never thought of myself as very big, but as I get older the weight gets harder and harder to ignore and hide.
The last time I lost any serious weight was for my wedding in October 2008. I started out around 235 give or take a few pounds and I was 202 on my wedding day. I worked my butt off to lose that weight in 7 months through WW. I had to lose as much as possible because I bought my too small wedding dress on eB@y. I am a serious bargain shopper and I refused to pay the $1200 for the dress at the bridal shop. I found the exact same dress NWT in a size 14 (regular) on eB@y for $400. Thankfully I had a great seamstress because we had to do some creative maneuvering to get me in that dress. I have posted some of the pics for you to see. She added extra fabric to the corset and skirt (hidden under the bustle made from a veil.) 
I was able to maintain that weight for a while, but I never made below 202. I was riding a very fine line between Plus sizes and Misses. Fast forward to 2010….I got pregnant and weighed around 215 when I peed on the stick. I had my daughter Charli in November 2010 and was laid off in that same month. I gained 40 pounds carrying Charli and after I had her I was able to get down to about 220 doing P9ox with my husband. I like to refer to that as P9oSex because my new found strength and flexibility worked wonders in the bedroom :o). I didn’t do anywhere close to 90 days and my weight slowly crawled back up to 235. I joked that I was a size 16 ½ to my friends and family. In reality, 18s were getting tight.
I began looking into the Lap-Band in secret this past summer. I was very embarrassed to have to consider WLS. I have HBP and have been taking meds for it for almost 8 years. As a matter of fact, I met my husband on the day I was first prescribed the meds. I went to a bar after work with my friends to drink away my sorrows and he was there. Who knew that we would be married today? Anywhoo, back to the Band, I didn’t tell my husband until I was about half way through the nutrition process. He was very skeptical and believed that I could lose the weight on my own because that is how he did it. I explained that I needed the help that the Lap Band could provide and I was afraid of my health becoming an issue. Both sides of my family are fairly unhealthy. My mom recently had to stop working at 52 because of her multiple health problems. He has since warmed up to the idea and swears that when I get skinny all my big girlfriends won’t like me anymore (That is a topic for another post). I just told my mother last week. I have been putting that off because she suffers from depression and bulimia (among other things) and I was afraid it would be too awkward. To my surprise she was very supportive but didn’t think I was “fat enough” to get a Band… thanks mom :o) I have not told my sisters yet. They are just a couple years younger than me, but we have a very weird relationship and I do not consider them to be very supportive. I think I will wait until my surgery is scheduled or completed. That is it for now. Take Care!
Thank you all for your encouragement and your stories. This blog stuff is really great!

14 comments:

  1. Hi Reggie! Just started following your blog. Super excited for you!

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  2. Hi Reggie - thanks for your comment on my blog, and I've just signed up to follow you, too. We can be band sisters in PA :)

    I'm still laughing about your hubby singing "I can't wait to be king!" - Love your dress, btw, and yeah, I feel like I'm singing "I can't wait to be shopping in the regular section!"

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  3. Hell, my big girlfriends aren't very supportive of me. I hope yours are better!

    Thanks for sharing your story. :)

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  4. Welcome girl!! We are glad to have you !!!!

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  5. Hi Reggie! I was sent by Robyn! I am over at http://saucybandster.blogspot.com/ - I was banded last Friday so am new to this as well :) Looking forward to following your journey! We are all in this together.

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  6. Hey Reggie. The only people who know about my WLS are my husband, my mom and my matron of honor. It has worked out well for me- I don't need to deal with judgmental people. Anyway, stop by my blog when you have the chance, and good luck with your process.

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  7. Hi Robyn sent me-the few people I told pre surgery nearly all said they didn't think I was fat enough- now I'm halfway to goal I think some have changed their minds. I was selective on who I told :)

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  8. Hi there! Cannot wait to meet you on Monday.

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  9. Hi Reggie! Robyn sent me over. Looking forward to following your journey!

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  10. Hi Reggie... Robyn sent me. You'll find this community very supportive - many of us haven't told many of our real life friends, and others have struggled to find support/understanding from family/friends - so their bloggy friends are a great source of encouragement and advice. The band is no magic cure, but if you get into the exercise and eat right, and stay focused, it will help you get amazing results. I doubted my sanity right up till surgery..but it was the best decision I have made. I'm looking forward to following your journey and hearing your success story!

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  11. Well hey Reggie! Welcome! Love your dress! No fret the Band works! Hang in there! Good things are on the horizon!

    Ps. Robyn sent me!

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  12. Robyn sent me! I'm glad she did because I just busted up laughing at your P90 sex comment. My mother is also very unhealthy, and when I see pictures of her at, I can see the similarities. I don't like that! Wishing you much success on your journey! :)

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