What a difference 160 lbs make...

I had my RNY 4/9/09.

When I first met with my surgeon and he asked me my reasons for wanting to have a bypass. One of the many reasons i gave him was my job. I work for NYPD and besides the mental and emotional stresses of the job, I felt I could no longer perform the very physical part of my job. I felt I was in danger of losing my job. Of course no one told me this but I knew it was coming. I couldnt walk 4 steps without having to pull out my asthma pump and take a "hit". I was 353 lbs and gaining fast. I wore a size 54 uniform pant and had to wear mens because they didnt make female pants to fit me...

Im sure everyone knows where Im going with this but I feel theres somebody who just needs to hear it....

I remember the first time that i had to run from the basement to the fifth flloor and how amazed i was when I realized I didnt stop once and i was on the fifth floor!!!!

Now last week I had to attend training session where I had to run up to the 5th floor, drag a 200 lb body across the room ( I only weigh 190, God...I take such pride in saying that ) and deliver first aid to the wounded...Im amazed that I had no problem whatsoever turning a 200 lb body over and dragging it to the other side of the room!

 First off THANK YOU for your service.  Congratulations on your success!

Now that Im having issues with my gallbladder, people always seem to look at me with sad eyes and say " are you sorry you had a gastric bypass?"

And my response is hell no, I would do it again if I had to because the difference in my life is like night and day. Theres no other way to describe it.

Wow, that's truly amazing! I'm so thankful for people like you who not only serve but want to be the best they can while they do it. Thank you!

And yeah, what's a little gall bladder trouble compared to all you've gained!

 CONGRATULATIONS!!!! What an awesome story and inspiration.... I can relate to the asthma pump ... just leaving the house without it and not having one in my car or at my desk sent me in panic mode ... but look at you today ... way to go!!! 

Thanks so much!  I am having surgery Sept 25th and I am terrified that I will feel worse after surgery, that I will develop complications, that I won't be as healthy as I am not.  It really helps to hear that surgery can, and usually does, really improve your life. 

Surgery really did improve my life. Physically I feel a thousand times better. There is so much more I can do now that I never wouldve had the nerve to attempt. My confidence level has gone through the roof.

People sometimes tell me I think too much of myself these days but the truth of the matter is that I didnt think enough of myself before.

My surgery was textbook. I had no complications for the first 3 years. Im having issues with my gallbladder now but I expect to have that resolved with surgery within the next two weeks so yes, im a firm believer that WLS saves lives...it saved mine.

Congratulations and thanks for sharing.  Your story is inspiring! 

that would be me....  thanks for posting I was just approved and many nayers have been in my ear.  i'll be 50 this year and facing many  health issues due to the weight.  but such a life changing decision, i actually got scared/nervous/unsure.  Mind is back on track

There will always be those who are going to have negative things to say, especially those who are afraid youre gping to "show them up" when you lose the weight. I think we all went through that with someone but at the end of the day you have to do what you feel is going to be best for you. I wish I hadmt waited so long and had my bypass in my 20s. Wishing you lots of luck and a speedy recovery.