Kimba523
WOW - I really dont even know where to begin. It has been such an amazing year. When I was first considering this surgery I was on this site a lot. I did not really keep my profile updated or anything, but I loved reading others and looking at the pictures. I guess at that point, I was just somewhat embarrassed. However, it was 1 year yesterday and I cant even begin to tell you the differences in my life over the past year. I had the actual Gastric Bypass on August 16, 2007 at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, Md by Dr. Gary Harrington. I was very scared but can honestly say I was at my "Rock Bottom" I was 46 years old, married with a 17 year old son. I could hardly walk from point A to point B. My legs and ankles were horribly swollen, was on meds for high blood pressure - always felt tired and just "yukky" Made the decision to have the surgery as I just could not go on like I was. I was in the hospital for 1 day and back to work in 2 weeks. It has been an amazing journey. I never in a million years thought I would be below my goal in a year. I was told that most patients lose 50-60% of their excess weight the first year, I am PROUD to say that I have lost 50% of my total weight. I started at 338.5 and am now 173. I was wearing sized 30/32 in clothes (and sometimes they didnt fit) and am now in 12/14 depending on how they are made. I really cant say that I have had any real problems as a result of the surgery. They do think I have an ulcer now (which is treated by one little pill each day) I can live with that. Prior to the surgery I was taking several BP Meds each day and the week before my surgery they said I was Diabetic. As of December 08 (4 months after surgery) I was off ALL of my meds with the exception of the ulcer medicine.
The excess skin is not nearly as bad as I expected. Fortunately I am 5'11 so maybe that helped some. The worse part is my arms - but I really dont think (and my doctor agreed) that its not worth having surgery for. So I was glad that he agreed on that with me. At 48 I hate to undergo another surgery if I dont have to - so they are a little "flabby" but in my mind they have to be better than they were at 338.5
One of the best parts of my surgery was I have an 18 year old son who is 6'4". Once I had my surgery and started bringing better/healthier foods into the house and cooking better - he began to lose weight as well. Over the past year he has lost 85 lbs on his own and he looks absolutely awesome. He had his prom in May of 08 and came into my room while he was getting ready, sat on my bed and said, "Mom, I just wanted to thank you for being so brave and having your surgery". I said well thank you for all of your support and help with it and he said he had never felt better about himself than he did at that moment. So for all you moms out their - Im sure you will agree that there is no better feeling than your child telling you something like that.
I have absolutely NO regrets with the surgery. I can HONESTLY say that I have said and done every single thing I was told to do (with the exception of I should have exercised more). I never had any issues with hair loss - Thank god because I was really worried about that.
If you are considering the surgery - and have any questions, please feel free to get in touch with me. It was the absolute best decision I could have made and i feel that it truly saved my life. I cant even imagine where I would be today if I had not have had this surgery.
About Me
Before & After
rollover to see after photo
