Brenda C.
I am 43 years old and have been overweight for as long as I can remember. My first trip to Weight Watchers was when I was in middle school and was at the insistence of my mom. I come from a long family line of mostly women with weight problems, most to the extent of being obese or morbidly obese. Unfortunately these family members are on both my maternal and paternal sides.
I have been to Weight Watchers numerous times, I have always gained back the weight lost plus some extra. I have also had three children all of which have added to my weight gain. My doctors have denied me weight loss medications due to my precarious blood pressure and the difficulty regulating it. I have yo-yo dieted most of my life. Most of the diets I have been on would be considered fad diets or starvation diets. I have also used over the counter diet pills.
I have come to a point in my life where I want to do more and be more. I want to be able to go to amusement parks with the kids and not have to worry about whether I fit on rides, I want to fit comfortably in an airplane seat, I want to go whitewater rafting with my family, I want to go on walks and travel and not have the pain that I feel now in my back and knees. I don't want to make a dent in my sofa, I want to live. My life as it is now consists of work and watching TV. I want a fuller life with my husband and our children, I do not want my weight to prevent me from doing things.
After the surgery, I would expect to feel better physically. I would expect that some of my back pain would be alleviated as it appears to be caused by osteo arthritis. I would love it if the weight loss would take care of my high blood pressure or at least make it better. I believe that I have suffered from sleep apnea for quite some time. I have never felt like I have had a full nights sleep. It would be wonderful to have that taken care of and feel well rested in the morning.
My son asked me awhile ago if my back and knees would feel better after the surgery. I told him that was the main reason that I was pursuing this surgery. I told him that looking good would be wonderful but the quality of life and increased quality of health that I will have would be gaining was the main reason I wanted to pursue the surgery. I have been researching gastric bypass for well over a year now and have discussed it openly with my children and my family.
I have researched the procedure and I understand that that the Roux en Y procedure is done mainly by laparoscopy. I understand laparoscopy from previous operations. I understand that after the surgery my stomach will be about the size of a thumb. I also know that my behavior modification after surgery will determine the continued success of my weight loss. I understand the possible complications of the surgery, including death, and have weighed them closely. I still feel that gastric bypass is the step I need to take. I know that I will be in the hospital for one to two days. My diet will begin with clear liquids, will then phase to full liquids, soft/pureed foods and finally to full foods.
I know that post-operatively I will need to follow-up regularly with the doctor. I know that I will need to change my way of thinking about food. One thing I always liked and am looking forward to is the exercise. I look forward to making the changes necessary for my new life. I look forward to my surgery date as my new birthday. I know that food is something necessary to sustain life. It will no longer be my friend, my confidant. I look forward to being able to go out and take a swift walk instead of eating. I look forward to being on the go instead of snacking on the sofa in front of the TV.
My family and friends have seen the decline of my health and my physical activity. I have discussed the procedure with them and they are all very supportive of me. My husband has done a lot of the research with me and knows what to expect. He will be my main support during this time as my family lives out of state. He will help me in anyway possible. He knows that this will improve my life and our life together. We also know that this will make me a healthier, happier person. Without him, none of this would be possible. He is the love of my life!
