I can hardly believe that it has been one year since my surgery. It seems so long ago and the changes that have taken place are so dramatic that sometimes I feel I'm in a different lifetime. 

You see..before surgery I was almost completely homebound. I couldn't move about without the help of a cane and didn't drive anymore. At age 60, I had been diabetic for 17 years and struggled with trying to maintain good glucose levels. I had high blood pressure for 20 years that had been treated with higher and higher doses of meds. Still, in Jan. 2008, I was rushed by ambulance (again) to the hospital and diagnose with TIA and seizure disorder.By Jan. 2009, I was classed as type 3 kidney disease. And the list went on: asthma, sleep apnea, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, fibromyalgia, chronic fatique, insomnia, acid reflux and frequent skin infections. My weight was 256 lbs.  Through the years, I had tried many different ways to loose weight. All of them were successful, but not sustainable. And the older I got the harder it was to get results with anything.

Then came my surgery. It was Oct. 20, 2009. My doctor was Dr. Sadhasivam (really wonderful) and the bariatric group was Arnot Bariatric in Horseheads, NY (great group of people) and my surgery was at Arnot Ogden Medical Center in Elmira, NY (got terrific care). I have had no significant problems since the surgery. Nothing that required treatment. Some adjustments, but all workable. I am one year off of diabetic medications. AT my last Dr. appointment in Sept. 2010, my glucose was 103, my Ha1c was an amazing 5.6! And that's not all that has changed. Cholesterol: LDL 63, HDL 42. Blood Pressure (NO meds after 20 years) was 98/68. My kidneys, which had become my major concern, my blood work no longer displays the GFR which only comes up when it drops below 60.  Starting weight :256. Today's weight: 140!

I can honestly say that this surgery has been a life preserver, by the Grace of God. At 61, I never imagined that I could ever again feel as good as I do now.

You can put me down as one grateful surgery patient.
My best wishes for all of you. Leila