They say I lost a Backstreet Boy
After Bariatric Surgery

by Yvonne McCarthy
(Dallas, TX USA/Bariatric Girl Blog)

Sometimes when I told someone that I had lost 130 pounds I would hear that I had lost a whole person. One day someone said "You've lost a Backstreet Boy". Of course as time goes on, some people don't even get that joke. I fully remember the doctor telling me that I was carrying a twelve year old boy on my shoulders. You know that speech....when the doctor tells you that you MUST lose weight. And then I of course said that I knew that....

How could I not know that? Too many mirrors to avoid, certain family members reminding me on a regular basis, and the inevitable beating up of myself 24/7.

I cannot explain why I knew this surgery would be my last chance. When asked to list all the diets I had tried I did an equivalent to a Google search (no Google ten years ago). I only had to leave off three.

Something spoke to me the day I first heard of gastric bypass and I knew this was finally it. I KNEW it was going to happen for me. Finally after 30 years I got that second chance that I begged for. I made a deal with myself that when I got this miracle that I wouldn't mess it up and proceeded to educate myself as much as humanly possible. That was no easy task since there was absolutely no after care and practically no resources online.

There is something very important to be said for the power of believing. It ensures you that each move you make points toward that objective...the thing you want most. Some of us are very afraid it might not happen and some of us are afraid that it actually will. I was ready and I will fight with everything I've got to continue this journey I've walked, 130 pounds lighter, and ten years older. It's all good...I'm on the loser's bench and I'll save a spot for you if you'd like.

So goodbye Backstreet Boy and if you come knocking on my door, I won't be answering it.

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