Let Your Fear Become Your Victory

My name is Mindy Mitchell. I had the sleeve gastrectomy (also known as gastric sleeve) on November 3, 2015. I'm thirty-three, married, and have four children. I'm writing this book in hopes of sharing my journey with others as my life changes daily and moves forward. Moving toward the good. Progress is a daily walk and not a run or a race to the finish line. Many times you will go on diet after diet after diet but still end up only losing water weight. I have tried everything from low carb to paid various companies for shakes, supplements, and certain food. All were a failure for me because before you can change your eating habits, you have to change your mentality and eating habits. Some people have underlying conditions that prevent them from being successful at dieting, which was my case. Weight loss is a life changing experience that takes months even years.



Many people will say "Wow Mindy! What diet have you been on because you look great!" I give them the honest truth. I tell them I had the gastric sleeve. The next questions people ask are about what diets have I tried, why did I take such a drastic measure, and did I do it to look better? My decision wasn't based on any type of physical appearance. My surgery decision was about saving my life. If I had not had the surgery, I probably would not be here to tell you about my journey. I chose my surgery because it was my last option after surviving a stroke at thirty-one, seizures, narcolepsy, and issues with high blood pressure. When you have a stroke at thirty-one, you wake up and realize its time to do something drastic. Sometimes you have to do something drastic to save your life. Regardless of what others think, they will criticize you for your decision, but, ultimately, the decision is yours. If you let others make your decisions for you, you will never outgrow the person you are used to being. This is referred to as living your life to please others. I mean, come on, get real with yourself. If you are constantly doing what others tell you, you become a toy for them to control. By taking control of your own self, you take control of your future.



The Sleeve Gastrectomy may not be your choice as far as weight loss surgery, but it was mine. There are other surgeries out there including the Lap Band and Gastric Bypass. I personally did not choose the Lap Band due to the requirements every month of coming in to tighten and loosen it up. I also wanted a permanent fix. I personally did not choose the Gastric Bypass because I wasn't interested in the after effects of the surgery related to my intestines and rerouting my insides. The Gastric Sleeve was my best option because it was a permanent fix and less invasive. I am happy with my decision. The time leading up to my surgery and the road that this journey has taken me on before and after surgery has changed me as a person. I have become a better person to myself and to others. Throughout my book, I'm going to share my journey from my ultimate decision to the person I have become after my surgery. I hope you get something out of my journey to help you along yours. Sleeve brothers and sisters for life!