Carol W.
I started having a weight problem 10 years ago when my thyroid failed, as well as autoimmune symptoms, compromised immune system and chronic inflamation. I have done enough medical tests and digging of my own to think I may have had a virus or that I have late stage Lyme's disease contract 10 years ago from all those years of camping and hiking. I also have fibromyalgia, and use a cpap machine. I was due to have the lap band two years ago, in hopes of helping my other health issues. I got sick the night before surgery, then canceled the lap band surgery and used Medifast to lose 60 pounds. In July, 2009, while having one of my first few meals off of Medifast I contracted salmonella, was hospitalized and gained it all back and more. Now I have 80 pounds to lose. It may have been a blessing in disguise, as I don't think the lap band would have helped me, and now I am sure that Medifast or other diets will not help me as I have something going on health-wise that is still not truly known. The time I had to spend getting to that conclusion was the time it took for the vertical gastric sleeve to be introduced and it may be what I need--message received! I feel strongly that obesity is an epidemic that there are many causes of, and that one day science and medicine with find the causes and the cures for. I think there are different categories and that we don't all fit into one: I have had a friend who is healthy and heavy, and those like me who are heavy with lots of health problems. Whatever my journey will be, it will be also a ministry.
