This isn’t really a homesteading post so feel free to skip it if you are at a perfect weight and your hair is thick enough for 3 people.
Today I am talking weight loss and wigs – the story I never intended to share. I worried about sharing this because I so often talk about clean eating and simple living…how would this fit in with my beliefs and what you all know about me? BUT on my walk today I felt like God was prompting me to lay it all out there because someone needed to hear it. So I put it on my private Facebook page. The response was so incredible it brought me to tears! Then a blogging friend said, please share this with your readers; I took a deep breath and typed this out!
Weight Loss and Wigs The Story I Never Intended to Share
I have poly cystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). I’ve known about it since I was 17 but didn’t have a name for it until I was 25/26. You can do the research on that but let’s just say it caused a lot of hormonal issues. In the process of trying to deal with the PCOS and avoiding my parent’s drug and drinking addictions, I became a food addict. You can be a clean eater and still gain weight…
I was in denial for a long time and avoided scales and pictures for more than a decade. But the fact is I gained more than 125 lbs from the time I was 18 to 45. I went up and down a few times but nothing really worked long term. Most people that have never met me in person probably never knew about my weight or my hair. I had become a master of disguise in both areas…the right angle and work magic friends. 😉
Dr. Ortiz posing with me just a few hours after surgery.
Why share?
Well, like I said, God really prompted me this morning and I had two good friends that shared their journey with me and for that I am eternally thankful. This past June I found myself at 306 lbs (and yes that is gut-wrenching to share publicly). Something in me just snapped and I decided that I was going to do something drastic about this. After talking to my friends and doing a lot of personal research I decided to have vertical gastric sleeve surgery or VSG. I found an amazing surgeon in Tijuana Mexico (Dr. Ariel Oritz of Obesity Control Center) and booked my surgery June 26th. I started my pre-op diet the 2nd week of July and lost 30 lbs by my surgery. I had the surgery on August 23rd and now have lost 71.8 lbs total.
It was the best decision I’ve ever made for myself but it isn’t doing all the work for me. I eat very high protein / low carb, I walk 7 days a week and I weigh and measure everything that goes into my mouth. I still have to battle my head in many ways. Today I am 1/2 way to my goal weight and I feel healthier than I have in years. Along the way I have made some amazing friends (my sleeve sisters) and I regret NOTHING!
A Hairy Situation
Now the wig information… My hair started thinning when I was about 21; also due to the PCOS. It is called androgenic alopecia and frankly, it sucks. Another thing I was in denial about for many many years. I pulled my hair back into a “bump” to cover it for a long time. About four years ago my pull back method wasn’t cutting it anymore and I chopped it all off into the short pixie. But in the last year I knew that this wasn’t going to mask it much longer; I dabbled with some wigs but felt very self conscious and never wore them more than once.
Yesterday I bit the bullet and visited an amazing wig shop (Big Shout Out to Haley’s Designer Wigs). The owner spent 3 and half hours trying to find the best thing for me. This wig was a major purchase
but it literally brought me to tears because I saw “myself” for the first time in 2 decades. I am not sure that will really click with everyone but if you deal with weight and/or thinning hair then you’ll get it.
Now I’m not here to tell you that everyone should have VSG surgery or buy themselves a wig. But weight and hair loss are touchy subjects for women and I wanted to share in hopes that someone would benefit from my experience.
I know some will judge me, I can’t fix that. I am a pretty open book. I am a backyard homesteader, a homeschooling mama who decided to do something radical about her weight, hair, health and self esteem while she plants more carrots seeds.
If you have questions feel free to leave a comment and I’ll do my best to answer openly and honestly. If you’re planning a nasty comment…move along.
Congratulations! You have the courage to do positive things in your life that not only benefit you but also your loved ones and friends. You are inspiring to so many. Naysayers are just that and to me are miserable to be around. Pay them no attention. We are proud of you.
Thank you for sharing your story. I’m 60 years old, and I didn’t find out I had PCOS until I was in my mid-40s. I had battled my weight my whole life, nagged and near-starved by my mother at times, and always on a diet, never ever being able to enjoy one mouthful of food to this day. The only time I could really lose weight was when I obsessed about it, working out hours each day while dieting (healthy). Otherwise, I’ve always been obese. Imagine my surprise when my doctor realized recently that if I had not been so preoccupied with my weight (forever) that I’d probably weight 300-400 lbs. I’m glad I don’t, but I’m not happy at 225 either. I’ve considered surgery, but it terrifies me. So I continue to struggle, at my age, with my weight and my growing health problems because of it. Not to mention the other ugly side effects of PCOS. I’ve been lucky to be loved by two men (one passed) who could see me in spite of my PCOS side effects. Sometimes you feel really alone walking through this, like all of those people who judge you as stupid and lazy for being fat will never understand the heartbreak and misery you’ve experienced because of a medical condition. Because you shared your story today, I don’t have to feel alone, today. Thanks again, and God bless you!
Tiffany, this is such a blessing to all of us to for you to share your journey about struggling with hair and weight loss. The world needs to see this post so they know there are options to improve our health. I tip my hat to you for doing something to extend your life and show others there are options to lose weight. Yes, we can diet and exercise but sometimes those items will not do it. I am so proud of you.
You go girl! Good for you! You are amazing,
You are beautiful and courageous!!!!
I appreciate you and your strength and honesty. keep at it 🙂
Your post touched home so much that I cried. This past December I had gastric bypass. I lived with being overweight due to emotional eating. In a creepily similar situation, I had to deal with my mother having addictions and being in an abusive relationship. I was 350 pounds previous to surgery. It was the hardest thing to deal with, seeing a person in the mirror that wasn’t who I was to myself. I am now down to 215 and still going. The surgery was what my body needed to kick itself into gear. I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 20. My husband and I are going to be doing homesteading when we move back over to the east coast. It always helps to know that in a situation like this, one is not alone.
Tiffany, there are many women out there with hair loss and weight issueswho will benefit from this article. Way to tackle this head on! Knowledge is power, and you have made a difference by sharing. You look great by the way!
Kudos to you for sharing what was hard to share. I have no doubt your story will help many. Although I don’t have those particular issues, I have some of my own…don’t we all? It’s a great day when we are able to be vulnerable enough to be authentic. That in itself helps ourselves. I believe it’s a humility thing of sorts. We take what has been ours and sharing what we’ve been through makes us stronger as well as so many others. It’s only when we have emptied ourselves that we can help others. You’ll be blessed in the telling.
I’m having surgery (RYN) in January. Thank you so much for your honest post.
Amanda – best of luck to you! I have seen a lot of success with RYN. If you can get connected to your RYN weight loss community, it makes such a difference!
Amanda, you look so lovely with your new wig! Bet you’ve always been lovely on the inside too. You should take great pride in yourself for overcoming abuse and stepping into a health life. God Bless You.
Thank you for telling your story. My husband and I both had VSG this year and we’re both doing great. Though neither of us have had any hair loss issues, I’ve talked to a lot of people who have. Most bloggers who are into healthy living are very against any surgical interaction when it comes to weight loss and insist everyone can do it without surgery. You’re the first I’ve seen that hasn’t been against it. I know that surgery isn’t feasible for everyone and I’m blessed to have had an awesome surgeon and support system. Good luck in your journey.
All the clean eating I was doing didn’t change my weight. And my health has improved 100%! Surgery is just one option available to us and it truly isn’t for everyone.
Beauty and courage!!!
What a great post Tiffany and glad God prompted you to write it! I’m trying to get the motivation to go from my clip-in hair extensions to wigs, which I have, but haven’t worn in public. It’s such an inspiration to read how others are handling their particular challenge. Congrats on reaching the halfway point to your goal. I know you’ll make it!
Yay to being brave!!! I too have PCOS. It’s caused infertility issues, weight issues and as for the hair, thanks to excessive testosterone, I have the opposite problem: LOTS of unwanted hair in places women should never have to deal with lol. It’s all crappy but even so, God has been so faithful. I’m glad you are taking charge of what you can control because Heaven knows there is so much out of or hands. You look amazing!
I was at Haley’s salon sitting right next to you. The transformation and beautiful smile on your face said it all, at the moment Haley placed the wig on your head and you saw the you in you that you hadn’t seen in years…PRICELESS!
Congratulations for writing so bravely!
This post taught me that strong determination will help a soul find joys in life and make it better too, no matter what the situation may be! Follow the heart.
Thank you so much for an inspiring post.
I am new to this blog… and very late to the game… but you are so beautiful!!! I am so proud of you for doing everything you did. You are a take charge kind of woman and it shows. This was so motivating to me!!!
You’re a doll.Thank you so much and I hope to hear YOUR story soon!!!