Fat describes me, it does not define me.
Lipedema, Lymphedema, & WLS patient. Healthcare & Insurance Advocate. Foodie, Friend, & Story Teller.
I am available for writing, speaking, and interviews. Contact me at born2lbfat@gmail.com
Hi, I’m Sarah and I blog to share my story and experience living with Lipedema and Lymphedema. My blog Born2lbfat is “born 2 be fat”, the “lb” is for pounds as in weight.
I have been morbidly obese all my life. In second grade the school nurse pulled me out of class to tell me I was fat. I weighed 125lbs. I have never felt fat, I have never been depressed about my weight, or hated my body.
In 2001, I was diagnosed with Lymphedema in my legs.
In 2003, I had RNY gastric bypass, my highest known weight was 502lbs.
In 2004, I was additionally diagnosed with Lipedema.
Lipedema is a congenital condition in which the body produces an abnormal accumulation of subcutaneous adipose tissue in the hips, thighs, legs, and sometimes arms. Lucky me, I got it ALL. Adipose tissue is FAT. Therefore, I was born to be fat. I can honestly say my obesity is because of my genes. Lipedema fat does not respond to caloric diet restrictions or exercise.
The thought of living a life of being fat is upsetting to some, and with good reason. Society hates fat people, doctors dislike fat patients. Fat people are lazy, smelly, sad and stupid…otherwise they’d just eat less, move more, and be “normal”. I must have missed the “fat protocol” memo or it’s lost in that huge pile of mail on my desk because I am none of the above. I am intelligent, funny, beautiful, have many friends, including a boyfriend, and truly enjoy my life.
Unrelated to my Lipedema, I was also born with a PFO (hole in my heart) that was not discovered until I had a TIA (mini-stroke) in 2005. In 2006, the PFO was closed, and all is well now.
I have had quite the journey to health, and it included a very thorough journey navigating the healthcare and insurance process. I have successfully won appeals, including external review. I turn that personal experience into my new passion of advocating for patients and am currently working towards a Masters in Health Law.