patti613
My story is really not much different than most of yours. I battled the bulge for most all of my life, then one day the bottom fell out......
I was in an accident, which put me flat of my back and in a wheelchair for over 5 years, with a busted up back, neck,nerve, and brain damage. Then came back surgery (rods)-neck surgery (plate in neck) when I could manage to walk, it was with arm canes. Over 10 years total of Pain meds and 8 other medications, and lets not forget the POUNDS OF FAT...... With each day passing the body continued to grow bigger and bigger, to the point, each step I took the worse my breathing got.
I will never forget the day my husband got sick and had to go to the er room. I walked in with him, the nurse looked at me and said, do I need to get you a wheelchair and some oxygen......."I was not the patient".....I was so embarrassed.....That was the day that I realized I needed HELP....
I did my homework on WLS. After checking out 3 different doctors, watching videos on the various types of surgery. Having spent the last 10 years in and out of hospitals, I knew to educate myself as much as possible. That is why I chose the RNY for me. At the young age of 60..."hehe" I knew I didn't have that much life left and I wanted it to start NOW! I wanted it gone yesterday........
My primary care doctor told me, to do it at my age I needed lots of tests....
After 3 months jumping through hoops, I found that my breathing problems were because my FAT was pushing my lungs on one side and the back rods on the other. My lungs were not able to expand.
Like everyone else my blood sugar, cholesterol, just everything was off the charts, nothing about me was stable. I was a total fat mess.
On July 18,2008 my life began......I was born a new woman, with another chance at life at the age of 60........here I thought life was suppose to start at the age of 40, so I guess FAT took away 20 years of my life.
I joined the OH family a couple of months before my surgery, but not knowing enough about how to setup the page and how to talk on the forum, I never posted anything until now. I went to visit my daughter and she taught me how to work on the website. I have read a lot of the forums and they have been a real help to me during my pre op and post op.
I have now lost 120lbs (size 6-8) and feel wonderful. I have more energy than I know what to do with. My blood work has gone to normal and I can now BREATHE on my on, without oxygen. My back is now not supporting an extra 120lbs which makes life so much easier. Everyone who has ever had a backache knows every pound counts.....
9 days ago was my 6 months anniversary, so in 6 months I lost 120lbs, that's about 20lbs a month. Losing weight that fast usually leaves you with real loose saggy skin. I was blessed to have found a product that tighten my skin, so I don't have the baggy neck or the apron belly. If you want to check it out go to www.wrapskinny.com and look at the wraps and defining jell. It has done wonders for me. The vitamins are great also, the Its Greens is wonderful as RNY people really cant get the fruits and veggies in, so I take the Its Greens instead. Makes a big difference in the way I feel.
I still have another 25lbs to lose, but I will get there......I hope soon......but I know the closer you get to your goal the slower is goes. I just wish it would hurry
It is so wonderful to be able to cross my legs, also wear regular size clothes. Thank you Dr.Renke for giving me my life back...............That is my story and I am sticking to it........lol Good Luck to everyone out there like me.........
