"Momma" Sherri Scarborough
I was sleeved 11/18/2015. I had been denied or bariatrics was excluded for several years prior to surgery. My obesity started at a young age. Vivid memory: I remember visiting my grandmother and my aunt, who lived next door, chasing me with a measuring tape. I was devastated and cried for days. I went on weight watchers at a young age but it didn't work and I hated it. It made me resentful and rebellious. That day, it was like a light switch flipped when she chased me. The conclusion that I came to was that food made me feel good and people sucked. My family being from the south used food as a welcome, a comfort, a gift, fellowship, family time and food was the center of all outings or gatherings. My parents were divorced and both sides had a laundry list of health issues. Growing up, I learned to love good ole southern cooking and always over ate. We all did!!I was always the big friend but with my winning personality I had a lot of friends. I made bad decisions in regards to men. Trying to get acceptance of me and my obesity. I sought attention from undeserving friends. I was never one to get down on myself and always had a high self esteem and self acceptance but my self worth was in the pits.I've always been fat and happy. I looked in the mirror and saw beauty but in pictures, wow, very sobering. At 38, I was diagnosed with diabetes and went untreated 4 yrs. I'm a bad patient. Then the bomb was dropped. Congestive heart failure and insulin dependent diabetes, again, I was sobered up!! Damn it!! Why did I let it go so far? My baby, husband, mother, family, patients, doctors, and employees need me.I'm not in a race. I love the new me. I've been off all 9 medications since the day before surgery and I'm not looking back. Am I perfect? Hell no! But I'm me and I love me!! I have my life back. I would have wls all over again in a heartbeat. It's given me a self worth that is unexplainable.Words to live by, 'Don't ever let anyone or anything steal your joy!!' Peace, Love and Happiness,~Sherri