Ginny564
I am 43 years old, married with 2 kids and most of my life with the exception of about 6 years between junior high and high school when i was very thin specifically because I was on the drill team and exercised everyday. Right after I graduated the weight came on slowly. I lost some weight and was looking good when I met my husband. I have been married about 14 years and have two children. A almost 11 year old daughter and a 6 year old son. I had gestational diabetes with both pregnancies and developed type 2 diabetes a couple of years after my son was born. I also developed high blood pressure, sleep apnea, tachychardia, severe joint pain, etc. I had to do something or I was heading for an early grave. My husband is also a type 2 diabetic and between the two of us I decided enough was enough and I needed a release from the medical conditions and the medications so I have been researching for several years and first decided on a gastric bypass - until I got into the nutritionist's office and realized that was not for me, then I tried to get approved for the lap band and every insurance I had did not cover it. I finally talked to my Mom's lap band surgeon and we decided since I had gastritis so bad that a lap band would not be good for me because it would errode over time and have to be removed that the best course of action for me was the gastric sleeve. My Mom helped me and I had the surgery on 12/21/07 a couple of days before Christmas. I can't tell you that it has been a cake walk because it hasn't, but I have almost lost 50 lbs since the week before surgery! I am still not 100% - I still have issues with getting water and especially protein down. I feel like I can get some answers by being on the forum and I welcome any suggestions.
Update: I am now 46 years old and have had gastric sleeve surgery 3 years ago this December 2010! I can tell you that it literally saved my life. I initially lost about 93 pounds the first year after surgery. Consequently I have put back on 30 pounds. It seems that my body likes being around the 200 lbs range but I know what to do and just have to do it. The only problem that I have is severe acid reflux. I would like to talk to several other sleeve patients to see if this is a common occurence. But after my huge weight loss I was no longer diabetic, no longer hypertensive, no longer relying on a sleep apnea machine and off all medications except thyroid and heart. I can't tell you how much I have enjoyed life since the surgery, I actually went white water rafting this past summer and in the past while obese I would have never considered that I could actually do white water rafting. What a rush it was! If anyone would like to ask any questions, I will be happy to help.
