gastric bypass

Weight Loss Surgery Journey

July 30, 2013 by Sarah Bramblette 8 Comments

I had open RNY Gastric Bypass in April 2003 at The Ohio State University Medical Center. I was diagnosed and under treatment for Lymphedema since December 2001, however, I was not yet diagnosed or aware I had Lipedema. Gastric bypass surgery helped me lose the weight that was due to poor habits. I admit I have not always had the healthiest of habits, however, even before surgery I made MAJOR life changes, and while my overall health has greatly improved. Lipedema has taken its toll on my body and will be a lifelong battle.

My highest known weight was 502lbs. It was higher, however, the doctors did not have a scale that could weigh me. After several months of diet change and exercise I could tell by my clothes that I was losing weight and I so I went to a junk yard to use their scale and saw that despite my efforts I still weighed more than 500lbs. I opted to pursue weight loss surgery. I do believe losing weight has helped me maintain my lymphedema, and saved my life. As with any medical decision, having weight loss surgery is a personal decision best made between a patient and their physicians. I have read where many Lipedema patients have been pressured by their physicians to have weight loss surgery. Lipedema does not respond to diet and exercise, therefore, weight loss surgery will not improve fat in areas affected by lipedema.

My 23rd Birthday, September 10, 2000

The morning of surgery.

I had reconstructive panniculectomy in December 2006. My weight was 280lbs. I eventually lost down to 250lbs.

February 2007

And then regain began…

September 2011

But that smile still stays the same!

Simple No Bake Cheesecake

July 29, 2013 by Sarah Bramblette 2 Comments

I’ve been making this recipe for years. It was one of my dad’s favorite desserts. He was very frugal when it came to grocery shopping, and I was surprised once when making our shopping list he asked what I needed to make this dessert again! The man never requested ANYTHING.

This recipe is a winner because it meets my “good n’ easy” criteria.

Simple No Bake Cheesecake

1 – 8oz cream cheese*, room temp
1 – small tub of whipped topping*, thawed
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup sugar OR sugar substitute such as Splenda
1 – 9-inch graham cracker crust

Fresh fruit for topping. Strawberries, blueberries, pineapple…whatever you like!

With hand mixer blend cream cheese, sugar substitute, and vanilla extract until creamy. Blend in whipped topping until smooth and light, try not to over blend. Spoon mixture into pie crust and chill in refrigerator for 3 hours or until set. Add fresh berries and serve!

*you can use reduced fat versions of cream cheese and whipped topping but fat free is not recommended.

Being SUPER is not SUPER.

June 26, 2013 by Sarah Bramblette 4 Comments

It’s a bird. It’s a plane. It’s SUPER SARAH!

SUPER MORBIDLY OBESE

It’s when you’re so FAT you’re past the standard Morbidly Obese category and are now SUPER Morbidly Obese. SMO is having a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 50 or over.

Why SUPER? Trust me it’s not SUPER. Especially not for me. Please do not read this wrong. I am me, I LOVE me, others love me. BUT it’s frustrating when many do not understand or relate to my situation.

As much self confidence as I have, I’ve actually never felt like I “fit in”. I’m unique, yes. That’s me. I can relate to well to others, I have always had many friends and acquaintances. I was never a part of the popular crowd in school, but I also wasn’t shunned or teased a lot like many overweight or obese kids. I was a band geek, I had my crew, I mean I was a DRUMMER…drummers are cool. Except I played the xylophone which meant I was on the sideline, so avoided the whole “marching” part of marching band. So I wasn’t really a part of the drum line, I actually sucked at keeping a steady beat, but I could whack them mallets. WATCH OUT!

It’s a theme throughout my life. I’m sorta part of the group, I can relate, but not completely. We often think everyone of certain groups should “get along” after all they have a shared common experience. Um…just look at families and you’ll understand why that theory is not true.

It’s especially not true in the world of obesity or weight loss surgery. While I have been obese 34 out of 35 years of my life (I was born a relatively normal 8lbs), I will say I have been a “member” of the obesity/weight lose surgery community for nearly a decade. That was the time I was exploring having RNY gastric bypass and joined an online weight lose surgery community. At first is was an AWESOME experience, I met so many other people LIKE ME, struggling with weight and seeking a solution. I met several people who had surgery with the same surgeon I would have and was able to find out specifics about his post-op expectations and support. The site, the community support was very helpful. Throughout the years I have made many wonderful, and now long time friends from the internet.

However, I also discovered the harsh reality of judgement within the WLS community. Since my highest weight was 502lbs, even losing a HALF my body weight, still left me in the Morbidly Obese category. I was once blamed for “eating myself THAT fat”, by a fellow WLSer. Well, isn’t that nice and understanding and supportive. Of course, I also have Lipedema, which I did not know before undergoing WLS. So I’ve never been a SUCCESSFUL weight loss surgery patient, since I never reached “goal”, then I also regained 100lbs. So I must not be following the “rules”. Bad Sarah, such a failure.

Well a failure to people who measure success by weight and size. Not everyone thinks that way, as a matter of fact there is an entire Fat Acceptance movement. Fat Acceptance, where the name guarantees I’ll be accepted among them because I’m FAT, right?

Wrong.

I prefer Me Acceptance as I know many normal sized women who struggle with accepting themselves. I accept me and my fat, but I was also in denial about my HEALTH for many years. However, I’ve found that among the FA community I am judged because I had weight loss surgery. I attempted to not be fat, so I turned my back on the cause? Trust me baby got plenty of “back” to spare. I also have a different perspective about obesity being categorized as a disease and considered a disability. Those beliefs are based on my own personal experiences. I understand the fear and concern with negative labels, but I am also aware of the rights and power such labels can provide when needed. Sadly, I have needed both in my life, and to those who don’t understand, be thankful you’ve never been in the situations I’ve faced.

I feel like I’m stuck between two “communities” whose intentions are ones of empowerment and support, and yet because I do not fit specific expectations I am not fully accepted or understood. All I ask is before judging try to consider the other person’s perspective. I blog to share my story, I know I risk judgement by putting personal information out for public interpretation. I’m willing to take the risk for the chance to open some minds and eyes.

More awareness, to me, that would be SUPER.

Top 5 Reasons YOU Should Attend OAC’s #YWM2013

June 13, 2013 by Sarah Bramblette 3 Comments

This year the Obesity Action Coalition is hosting the 2nd Annual Your Weight Matters National Convention, August 15-18 in Phoenix, AZ. I guarantee it will be a life changing weekend! In an attempt to convince you, I have listed my Top 5 Reasons You Should Attend #YWM2013.

#5 – YOU will MOVE during the fitness classes. A variety of fitness classes will be offered during the conference so if you already have an exercise routine the trip will not interrupt your activities. If you have yet to find a workout you enjoy this is the PERFECT opportunity to TRY new exercises in an accepting environment. Last year I attended the Yoga class, to my surprise I already OWNED the instructors DVD, I had just never attempted it. Now that I have participated in the class I am more confident in doing the moves correctly at home. Perhaps you are not quite ready for a structured fitness class or “hello, I don’t exercise on ‘vacation'”, that’s o.k. you will still MOVE during the Sunday morning Walk From Obesity.

If you are not able to participate in the Walk From Obesity, please support my participation by making a donation in my name.

#4 – YOU will MEET people just like YOU. No matter where you are on your journey to health there are others who are right there, or have been there. I have been to several weight related conferences in the past 9 years and have met many wonderful people, and made several friends like my pals Eggface and MeltingMama, and yet at each new event I attend I meet and make new friends. Do not be afraid about “being alone” at the event, I assure you, YOU ARE NOT ALONE. We are all in this together, and we are stronger when we join our voices and stories with the OAC. Plus you never know when some weird chick who eats ketchup on her boiled egg asks if she can sit with you at breakfast. <— That was me making a new friend, Asha.

#3 – YOU will EAT Lunch with the Experts. Last year I made the mistake of not signing up for Lunch with the Experts, I thought lunch time might be a good time to give my lipedema legs some rest. I quickly realized what I was missing out on, and was able to sign up for an open lunch spot on site at the conference. So if in doubt I suggest SIGN UP NOW…many Lunch with the Experts sessions are already FULL. This lunch gives you the chance to discuss important topics in a small (approx 10) group setting with an expert in the field. Click on the image to view the #YWM2013 Agenda with a list of Lunch with the Experts topics:

#2 – YOU will DANCE. Yes, you will! As I mentioned in #5, this is your chance to try new things in an open, accepting, non-judgement environment. Friday night’s Welcoming Event with be a! So use your imagination to come up with a really awesome costume, or just come as you are. Just be there, and shake your groove thing! And see if I can keep my title as reigning costume winner! I won as Honey Boo Boo last year, complete with Go Go Juice and Glitzy!

#1 – YOU will ADVOCATE for Obesity! I strongly encourage you to attend the Advocacy Training. It was by far my favorite part of attending the Inaugural Your Weight Matters Conference in Dallas, TX. Even if you are not able to participate in the Advocacy Training you are still advocating just by attending the #YWM2013. Sharing your story with others, empowering yourself to pursue your health goals, fighting against weight bias and stigma are all important pieces of advocacy. Advocacy against weight stigma and bias is one of the main reasons I joined the Obesity Action Coalition. You can read my story, The Part I Want: Advocate in the Your Weight Matters Magazine 2013. Watch my personal testimonial about the Inaugural YWM Conference.

But most of all ATTEND #YMW2013 because YOUR Weight Matters!!!!

If my Top 5 Reasons successfully convinced you to register for #YWM2013 Convention, contact the OAC in writing at convention@obesityaction.org and tell them Sarah from Born2lbFat referred you so I can be entered into the YWM2013 Recruitment CHALLENGE. Thank you in advance!!!!

ObesityHelp 2013 National Conference – KEYNOTE SPEAKER: DR. ARYA M. SHARMA

April 28, 2013 by Sarah Bramblette Leave a Comment

ObesityHelp 2013 National Conference – KEYNOTE SPEAKER: DR. ARYA M. SHARMA

I am looking forward to the ObesityHelp 2013 National Conference this October. I have been a member of ObesityHelp.com for 10 years and this will be my 8th ObesityHelp Conference. I have learned so much through my experience with ObesityHelp, and met some AWESOME people like Melting Mama and Eggface.

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