Lynne1958
First of all, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Lynne Richards and I live in Clarksville, Tennessee. Before my surgery, I weighed 280 lbs.. On November 26, 2001, I had gastric bypass surgery performed at Centennial Medical Center in Nashville, Tn, by Dr. George Miller, Jr. It was a laproscoptic procedure with only six one half inch incisions. I was admitted on Monday, and discharged from the hospital Wednesday afternoon. I had absolutely no complications following the surgery. I went through the operating doors with a very positive attitude that I would be starting a new life...a healthy life.
Post Surgery
I drank fruit juices for the first two weeks, My newly formed tummy could hold only 2 oz...as compared to the average person's stomach holds 50-80 oz. The pounds immediately began to melt off me. I exercised on a regular basis. At the time of my surgery I weighed 280 lbs and wore a size 24-26 women's clothing. My health was totally out of control, and when I had chest pains, that was the final straw. As time passed, I could eat a normal diet, but now chose to omit sugar and red meat from it. Now, through this miraculous tool, I was regaining my wellness. I lost 90 lbs the first 5 months after the surgery. I was on top of the world!!! Buying clothes was now a joy, and going down another size was a tribute to the guts it took to make the conscious choice to fight and end my morbid obesity forever.
Issues: Changing Both Externally and Internally
Many of my family and friends did not approve of what I did. Many, including my own son have never supported me or even gave me encouragement or a compliment. That really broke my heart, but was an awakening for me of his character as an adult.That made me even more determined to succeed to becoming a healthy "babe" again. I realized as the pounds melted off me, that I had been hiding all this time. Fat is an insulation of your feelings. I realized that I did not love myself before...that is why I looked like I did. Now, as time progressed, I came out of my shell and the true "Lynne" who had been hiding all these years emerged...complete with self esteem, and a mouth that could actually voice opinions. Lynelle, my daughter, has been extremely supportive and loving and is highly upset about her brother's lack of love and respect of me. People noticed me now, and I was labeled "pretty", and "beautiful".....words that I had longed to hear for years. I became more spiritual and my faith in myself helped me to deal with all the changes in my life, including the demise of a 27 year marriage. UPDATE: my husband and I have reconciled and just celebrated our 29th anniversary on June 15, 2006. Do I ever regret my decision? NO WAY!!! I would do it again in a heartbeat. My one regret is that some of my dear ones cannot accept and love me for who I am now, and not for the way I used to be. Life is about change.....and I have created a new life for myself....forever. 153 lbs gone....from a size 24-26 to a size 4-6. (There are several pictures of me in my profile...just click on the "Pictures" tab.) That is an accomplishment beyond my wildest expectations....knowing who I am as a person. full of love,life and laughter... at peace with myself within. How many people can actually say that? Can you? Feel free to email me at [email protected]
UPDATE: July 20, 2006: I recently found out that I am diabetic and have hypothyroidism. I have put some weight back on and wear a size 12-14. The meds I am for the diabetes is called 'actos' and one of the side effects is weight gain. I continue to watch what I eat, and feel great most of the time....when my glucose levels are in normal range. The cause of my diabetes is purely genetic. My father and grandmother was diabetic. UPDATE: 9/13/06.. I am NOT diabetic. I still love to receive emails from my fellow weight losers who have anything they wish to share about their experience with me. God Bless everyone.
UPDATE:January 26. 2010 I have some major health issues in the last few years. All revolve my immune and endocrine system.
Let's see, hypothyroidism, multiple sclerosis, diabetes I have been tested for. Most of the doctors I have seen are substandard. One Endocrinologist, Dr. Bao, who is at Vanderbilt Medical Center, basically told me I was imagining my sever depression from taking thyroid hormones. I though my husband was going to lose it when she said that, because he knows I do not mess around with my medications and my health. I was tested for diabetes again...wore a continuous monitor for 5 days, and had blood tests conducted. Again, I am not diabetic, however my PCP is sending me to an Endocrinologist for further testing. He suspects I have Insulinoma and have a tumor on my pancreas. That is what is causing the very low glucose readings and low blood pressure. At this time, I wear a size 12-14, and my height is 5' 7". I cannot work at this time and hope to as soon as I get the health issues on track. I was a stay at home mother for 20 years of my life. I did not have a so called "real" job until after my bypass. Because of that, if I was to draw SS disability, I would receive a $269.00 a month payment. That is heartbreaking because I worked so hard in the positions I have held.
I am revising my story today on my 9th anniversary of my weight loss. I have gotten back on track with my post op eating plan and my nutrition. I take all my vitamins everyday and exercise 3-5 times a week. I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and I am bipolar. My mother died this past August and I went into a deep depression afterwards. Also an avalance of events hit us afterwards, mainly huge changes as my husband of 33 years, plant where he worked closed this past November 2010. Major changes are still happening as I post this, but we are very bonded. This is the best our marriage has been in the 33 years we have been together, as we were both 19 when we married back in June, 1977. My BMI is 25.1 and I am very proud of that. My husband has lost 45 lbs since February. He has implemented my eating plan of protein first, then veggies and fruit for dessert. I am totally off of artificial sweeteners. They are very dangerous to our health and finally said no, because I was a diet soda addict. I drink almond milk and use a small bit of organic sugar if desired on my fruit. I am basically gluten free and I am caffeine free. I am slowly regaining my strength, but dealing with fibromyalgia is challenging. I have to pace myself or the chronic fatigue takes over. We now have 7 grandchildren. Our oldest is 10 years and the youngest is 10 months old. I will post more in the coming weeks.
