dawn5311
Highest weight = 302 lbs
At 1st Bariatric apt - 298lbs
Currently 07-24-11 = 265 (lost on LRD)
Surgery Scheduled= 08-17-11
Goal = 140
Where to begin with my story? I was a preemie weighing in at 4lbs 3/4oz. My parents fought to get weight on me. I dropped down to under 3lbs. After a long time in the hospital I went home and was pretty healthy other than some lung problems. I was pudgy as a child in elementary and Jr. high. I began to fight my weight most my life. When I was in high school I lived on the tennis courts primarily as well participated in many other sports. I was very very active, and healthy other than asthma & an occasional broken bone. I was at a healthy good attractive weight which I worked very hard at . Once I began working to support myself I spent less time on the courts and more time sitting and eating out. When I met my soul mate - Ed in 1983 we spent a lot of time together but they were centered around food it seems looking back. We got married and then had children. We have 5 children and 11 grandchildren now. I had a couple pregnancies that were very complicated and I put on a lot of weight. Thank god the kids were healthy but, they left behind a lot of baby weight. My last child was born in 1986. I was very ill afterwords and was on steroids. Large quantities for long periods of times. Some of you may be aware of steroids?! They save your life but, kill you in other ways slowly. In 2000 I became very very sick. I was in and out of hospitals and put on so many different medications. I was bedridden off and on for periods of 3-4 months. Needless to say my weight began to skyrocket! When I was able to get up and move it was not much. At one point my highest weight was 302lbs. I am 5' 4''. That is a lot of weight to be carrying. In 2004. I was very ill and frustrated with things. I started the bariatric surgery process with Kaiser in California in 2005. (that is why you will see my member since date of 12/19/2005. I was close to getting a surgery date when I pulled out of the program. I made the mistake of talking to my parents and sister whom lived in Indiana at the time. They talked me out of the surgery, I know they were scared and worried because my health was so bad. Since then my health really went down hill and we were having trouble with the Kaiser system. We had an opportunity (my husband and I) to sell our home and move to Indiana. So, here we are since Aug 2006. Were in Indiana. We love it here. The doctors have saved my life on a number of occasions. I thank them from the bottom of my heart. When I first came out to Indiana I was in a wheel chair about 90% of my time awake. I needed help and had to use assistave devices just to do simple tasks that we all take for granted. I have come along way from that wheelchair that I no longer use. However, not far enough. In June 2010 one of my doctors said that I was really overweight and that I needed to do something. He referred me to the Clarian Bariatric group. The non surgical side of the house. I filled out all the paper work and went through the hoops and met with a doctor on July 22, 2010. She said that I was not a good candidate for the non surgical side of the house because of my health being so poor and because I could not get up and out and exercise really hard for hours the way I would need to in order to see any results. I have osteoporosis bad and I fracture and break bones easy and constantly. I am also on oxygen and have many complications. The only thing they have allowed me to do so far is water walking and moving in the pool. It is something but, not enough! The doctor referred to me to the surgical side of the house. We went to the seminar Sept 13th 2010 and there my journey began! I was told to go to Dr. Mattar because of his skill with patients on steroids and my health problems. We met and my husband and I fell in love with Dr. Mattar! I have gone through the liver reduction diet. Lost the 30lbs plus an additional 9. Seen all the specialists, met with my doctors, the psychiatrists, and taken the tests and gone to appointments. Last week I finally got the call I thought would never come.... A surgery date!! I am on the books for a surgery date of August 17th at 730am. First surgery for the day. I hope that is a good thing! Time will tell I guess right?! I am tired of being sick and tired. I am tired of the pain and the inability to do things independently. It has not been fair for my husband to stress, worry, and have to do so much to care for me daily. I love him and will be forever grateful for his love, strength, and support. In may I was hospitalized for a week due to some heart issues. I have some bundle branch block going on now. The cardiologist says I can withstand the surgery. He did say if I do nothing about my weight the heart and other health issues will get worse too. I know this surgery is a tool. I know this journey is not going to be easy but, my ride right now is no piece of cake. I am not living. My quality of life is awful I want better. This is my last chance I believe. Everyone I have talked to says the only regret they had was that they wished they had the surgery sooner. I look back at 2004 - 2005 when I stopped my journey? Wow? where would I be today if I had done the surgery? We can't live what ifs. I cannot wait until Aug 2nd. I have a daily meeting or class that will cover all the questions and do's don'ts etc... I am so excited! You know I have looked at all of the possible side affects and problems.... I am pretty much living with those things now because of diabetes, liver, blood pressure, heart, gerd, cushings fibro, sleep apnea, auto immune disease, etc...etc.. diseases and complications. So, I look at it this way. If I can make some of this go away or at least just improve on it I am that much more blessed and closer to living a REAL NORMAL Life.... That is all I want. Live longer, a better quality of life so that I can share things with my husband, and be there for my kids and grand-kids! I am tired of sitting sick and in pain watching each day go by without me. I want to experience and grow old with my husband the way it is meant to be. Thanks for taking the time to talk to me, and read a little about me. This is a great place. Thanks to all my family, friends, new, current, and old. Wish me luck! I will let you know how things go. Hugs always, Dawn
