lladyhawkk
Wow, well I have done it now! Ok, I guess I need to back up a bit. About 36 yrs ago I was so unhappy with myself at ~200 lbs (I am 5'0) and newly married, that I sought out the only Dr. in California that I could find that would do a gastric bypass and take the insurance I had. I went for a whole battery of tests including an upper GI with barium (yickeee!); passed all tests and was told to come back in 6 weeks and have the surgery (full open not lapro-scopic). I went home and found out 2 weeks later that I was about 12 weeks pregnant. Ok, hold the presses... can't do it now.
Years passed, weight climbed to my high of 287 lbs in 1996. I panicked a bit when the Drs. told me that I had fatty liver disease, pre-diabetes, high (320) cholesterol, and sleep apnea. I was only 45 and they are telling me that I might drop dead any time now!? So, I went on Atkins and lost about 60 lbs in about 6 months. The Drs. were happier with that but still on my case. I was having a hard time in my 2nd marriage and used food as my solace and to keep from thinking about anyone really ever loving me. Well, after that divorce in 2001, I lost down to 220 lbs. Hallelujah! I was hot now, but very wounded.
Fast forward 3 yrs and I met the man of my dreams, lost down to 208 lbs and was doing good. Still on cholesterol meds and a BP and thyroid med. Then my knees, back, and feet were all killing me. Of course, throughout all of this time I have done very little exercise. A couple yrs later and my heart starts giving me problems. Finally, I was up to ~250 lbs (depending on the day and the week).
Summer of 2008: My beautiful daughter (who took after her mother in the weight department) decided to look into the Gastric Bypass. I went with her to all of her pre-op meetings and appointments (except psych) and then she had the RnY 8/27/08. I wanted to do it myself, but found that my insurance would only cover about 1/2 the costs and I just couldn't afford it with having just paid $16K in the fall to fix my heart, my husband about to retire, and me on disability (no medicare yet). So, I was supportive of my daughter in her quest and waited. She made her 1 yr, 1 lb shy of her goal, 100 lbs!!! on 8/27/09.
Now, back up a bit to 7/1/09, I finally got my MediCare!!! My 1st Dr. Appointment was 7/2 for referral. Then went to surgeon, pre-class, etc. and then on 8/17/09, weighing in at 252 lbs (still 5'0), I had my RnY. Went home the next afternoon feeling great. Walked .7th mile the next morning and almost every morning since. I had a little bit of a rough time with constipation at 1 week. (Ok, so I thought I was going to die!!!!) Dr. did CAT scan and said everything ok, go home, drink more water and walk more. I did and then I did.... ahhhh.
My wonderful honey also needed to lose about 50 lbs. So, he has started a weight loss plan and we are losing together. He is so wonderfully supportive and the Lord has truly blessed my life.
