Jodi L.
I am a 54 year old woman who was just so tired of battling my weight all my adult life. Thru the years I have yo-yo dieted like most who are over weight. I finally reached an age where the dieting no longer worked. I couldn't even take the diet pills anymore without having major heart palpatations. Then of course other health issues arised. My triglycerides were off the chart. I was in a high category for being at risk for heart attack or stroke. I knew I had to do something. I started checking on the web about the lap band. I thought I was convinced that's what I wanted but, after consulting with my surgeon, Dr. Josh Roller who by the way is aboslutely excellent.... we decided to go with the gastric sleeve. He didn't feel that my weight indicated cause for a gastric by pass. I am glad that I changed and went with the gastric sleeve. No adjustments. And I was concerned about a foreign silicone object being inside of me. I wanted something once and for all not something I may have to have taken out later down the road.
I had my surgery June 16th, 2008. So here I am on my way to my future. I am so excited to find the real me again. I've always been there. In my 20's and 30's I was like paranoid about my weight and always watched what I ate and exercised consistently. Somewhere down the road as I got older it wasn't so easy any more. Then my regular MD put me on Prozac and man like 25 to 30 pounds just zapped on me.....
I have 7 precious grandchildren that I want to see grow and spend time with them. I have a new man in my life that is so good to me and we love doing outdoors things together. Well of course, the more you weigh you can't handle the heat as well. I decided ok. it's time to do something about this. Whatever it took to make it happen I was ready!!! I wanted to eat healthy for the rest of my life. No more eating emotionally and comforting myself with food. And, I did. I made it happen. Now I am working towards my goal and seeing results daily. I may be 54 statistically but, I don't think like I'm 54 years old. I still feel young on the inside. I love boating, camping, hiking, all kinds of activities. Now, I'll be able to enjoy them more with the man that I love.
I must say that my Mom, and my daughters were very concerned and thought I had lost my mind. They begged me not to have this surgery. My answer to them was, you mean you would rather me have heart problems like you and Dad and maybe die from a stroke or heart attack rather than take care of the situation and make myself as healthy as possible. That shut them up and then they were more supportive.
I am so thankful that everything came together in the process of this decision and having the surgery it was like decided and done all in about 3 weeks time. Although I had study on it for about a year and a half. If I could give any encouragement to anyone out there, THIS IS YOUR DECISION. DO IT FOR YOU ONLY. DON'T DO IT FOR ANYONE ELSE. THIS IS YOUR GIFT TO YOU.
I wish success and happiness to you all. And I am so thankful for this website. I have received emails and encouragement which means so much to me. God Bless......Here's to a healthy future for us all !!!! Jodi
