Hello Ms. Davis, (PS-- I forwarn you that I am a terrible speller, lol)
I specifically was interested in talking with you. I know a message board is not exactly the easiest way for proper communication because things can easily be taken in the wrong context and some people are just so quick to criticize (and I have seen some definate criticism of you in other threads which irritated me).
My name is Jessica, I am 31-- the mother of 3, and I live in NE, Ohio... pretty close to Cleveland. When the episode aired with you in it and I heard you were from Ohio, I instantly "perked up" because it, I dunno, brought it closer to home for me. I am glad you were in that episode because I learned something new.
You see, I am 5'3" and currently weight almost 180 pounds. That puts my BMI at 30.9 (or 31.9) BMI I believe. My clothing size is a 16 for the most part. I am not really a candidate for WLS surgery, or so I thought, until hearing your story and reading some of the discussion threads. I suffer (since gaining all this weight) from real bad lower back pain, constant beathing problems when exercising or doing "too much", being a boarderline diabetic (I have been diabetic, but through diet and exercise I have helped get rid of it but I am still considered boarderline), and since gaining so much weight I am (believe it or not) so much clumsier which has also resulted in some injuries that I have had to deal with. I also have problems with my feet... I cannot be on them for very long. I also feel sooooo self-consious and it really bothers me about how I look. I cannot go to the pool without feeling like a fat cow. I am embarrassed to go with my hubby when his band plays out, and I am just not happy at all with my body the way it is right now. Now, I totally realize that my weight isn't THAT bad.... not compared to others, but it's a HUGE issue with me.
Like you, I have tried for the last SEVERAL years (I have been overweight for about 12 years now) many different programs like Weight Watchers, Atkins, The Zone, etc. I have taken many brands of diet pills and have gained more weight than what I started out at. I don't eater super bad. I do for the most part, eat pretty healthy (and actually I don't think I give myself enough credit). Seriously. I try to follow a diebetic diet which is (from what I am told) a darn near perfect diet. I drink a TON of water. I do excerise daily. I walk on my treadmill 30-40 minutes per day, and go swimming as often as possible. Due to some extensive injuries that is about all the exercising I can do at this time, but I do keep at it. I sohuld not weigh as much as I do when I am talking all the correct measures to lose it.... and I need some help getting rid of it because it is negatively impacting my life.
Since I don't know your whole story, only parts of it, would you be willing to share it with me? I know that it seems so similar to my situation and based on your pictures shown on Big Medicine that we seemed to look the same as well. I woud do ANYTHING to get rid of this weight. I have worked so hard the last 2 years to do so and have had NO success. My doctor even put me on Meridia and I lost 24 pounds in 34 days but my insurance did not cover it and I could not afford being on it more than that initial month. So, after I stopped taking it, I gained it all back over 2 months.
My health continues to decline and I continue to get bigger---slowly but surely. My docs have run labs and nothing what could contribute to why my weight is steadily going up.
It's REAL hard to talk to anyone in my family or my friends about this because they are all skinny. My mother-in-law is morbidly obese but she does nothing to change her lifestyle. She eats crap, and she does not exercise. When I briefly mentioned the show she got all angry about people who have the surgery done, calling them lazy and so I cannot even talk to her because she so adamantly opposses it... which I do not-- I am all for it!
I have really no one to talk to about my feelings, the process, the overall experience, etc... and I have so many questions as well. Is there anyway we can talk via email, phone (my dime) or meet up at some coffee shop sometime? I would also love a referral to the place who did your surgery and the cost and everything that is involved with it.
Any assistance you can give would really be so much appreciated. I support what you have done and I am not a "kim davis basher" and I am just a normal working mom and no threat at all. I just want someone who has been there and done that and who has more "inside knowledge" because of your father and brother-- and because you and I have so many similarities with our weight loss struggles... I feel you would be great to talk to. But other then in here, I have no idea how to get in touch with you or if you are even comfortable with that idea. I have had more than my 15 minutes of fame so I know what getting media attention is like, and being bashed by people who have no idea who you really are... they only see what is on television and judge you from that. I can even tell you my interesting story.... lol. Thanks for taking the time to read this and have a great day!
Cordially,
Jessica from Ohio
