mrcrawford
Well, like many people, I have struggled with obesity all of my life. I don't remember a time in my childhood that I was ever thin. Sure, there were times when I lost wieght (usually in the most troublesome times of my life). I looked closely to the root of by obesity right after I started college and came came to the conclusion that my #1 wieght problem was due overeating the wrong foods all of my life.
I have a family history of obesity related illnesses. In fact, my father died (1985) of a heart attack at the age of 46. My mother died (1995) of heart faliure mother at the age of 52, and sadly, my little brother died(2005) of heart failure at the age of 36.. Clearly a future of obesity is an early death sentence for me. It was clear that I needed to take action.
I had always worked out all through high school and through most of my adult life, but my weight always went up and dowm. I just wasn't consistant. For 35 years, I was obese and avoided medications until three years ago when I developed a hard-to-treat high-blood-pressure condition and heart palpitations. After many docter visits (even to the Mayo Clinic), I was up to five different medications and I was gaining weight!! My highest wieght today was 270 lbs.
I work the eveing shift at Shawnee Mission Medical Center in Overland Park , KS. I was responsible for providing audio/video equipment for evening classes held at the hostpital. Coincidentally, the classes I set up for were for the Kansas City Bariactric Lap-band Group. I was very intreged with the Lap-Band and how it worked, but never thought that I was as large as many of the people that attended the class.
I finally decided to attend the seminar and get information. After discovering that my BMI was 38.5, and with my health and family history, I might have a chance to get my insurance to approve me for the Lap-Band.
While considering surgery I prayed that God guide me to make to right desicion. My family and friends had mixed reactions to my decision to go for the surgery. Despite what opinions I heard, this was an opportunity to take control over my health once and for all. I had plenty of support from the Medical Staff at Kansas City Bariatric and other employees who had previously had the surgeries and were losing wieght!!!
This process of getting approved for surgery was long and hard fought!! For over a year I worked to meet and exceed every requirement I needed to get qualified for surgery, but I was declined twice by my insurance company (FMH Benefits) for no reason at all! I filed an appeal and got denied again. I made contact with an attorney (Walter Lindstrom) of The Obesity Law & Advocacy Center www.ObesityLaw.com .Through this group, I learned that the Lap-Band manufacture has a fund established to pay for the legal expence of fighting for an appeal if you case is accepted. I highly recommend them!!
In June 2007, FMH reviewd my second appeal and approved me for surgery !!! PRAISE GOD !!
My surgery was completed on 07/18/2007. My weight before surgery (after being on a pre-op diet) was 261.4 lbs with 54.4% Body Fat.
07/25/2007 - 250.6 Lbs @ 50.6 % BF.
- Its been a week after surgery and I've lost almost 10 Lbs! I'm still sore and have not had my staples removed. I have'nt had much of an appetite, but I've beed following the rules and am not having a problem keeping any food down. Since 7/18/07, I've been eating soup and jello along with drinking protien drinks and water! This is really challenging!! I've also been walking 2 miles a day and lifting light weights. For the first time I had 3/4 oz of cheese and canned salmon with light mayo! So far no problems. I just chewed alot and took small bites. I will start taking my vitamins tommorrow. I will also have my first check up with Dr. Hoen.
