Michelle G.
My Story
Jul 15, 2013
Hello, My name is Michelle and I just had Gastric Bypass Surgery. I am married ( 21 year ) and have one son from a previous marriage. I weighed at my highest of 202.....I now weight 174. 2 weeks post-op. My goal is to reach 125 - 135. Go from size 18/20 to an 8 - 10. Get off all my meds and to get healthy. Here is a little history:
I was the smallest person in my family for years, I was luck if I could gain weight. My highest weight in my 20's was 112. I could eat, drink what I wanted. My weekly exercise was swimming. My weekend exercise was Country Western Dancing.
BUT,
I was also a 3 pack a day smoker. I had smoked since I was in my early teens. At that time I very much enjoyed it. I had no health issues and was in really great shape.
THEN,
I met my future and current husband 4 weeks shy of my turning 30. Marc has never smoked. How he put up with a heavy smoker like me at that time is still a mystery. Anyone can tell you that smoking is the most putrid smell there is. Well for me, my son and for Marc...I decided to quit smoking " COLD TURKEY". I was very surprised that I really didn't go thru the anxiety of the withdrawal so much as I thought I would. But, I replaced my cigarette's with candy, brownies and anything else I could put into my mouth.
I went from 102 to 182 in about 6 months. I also, gained: High blood pressure, High Cholesterol, Depression and Anxiety and the worst of the worst DIABETES !!!!! I was on METFORMIN and was able to control it with medication. Not to insulin yet.
Now jump 20 years later ( I'm 50 now )....Still married to that WONDERFUL Man. But my weight has increased in numbers to 202. I Never thought that I would ever reach that high. I had no energy, no drive, back and knees hurt all the time, insomnia, heart palpitations and my Diabetes was heading to insulin. I was miserable. I could not keep up with my grandkids. I could only watch them play. I was not able to participate in ANY of their activities. I decided in May 2013 that I had had ENOUGH.
I went to my Dr and discussed weight loss surgery. He recommended Gastric Bypass. As it turns out, The powers that be have finally determined that OBESITY is now considered a disease and not a lack of willpower. Insurance compnaies are now covering these procedures and WOW that was perfect timing for me.
I contacted a well known surgeon in my Area - Dr. John Pilcher. Went to his seminar on 05/23/13. Had all the labs done, Insurance approved me on 06/17/13 and I just had my surgery on 07/01/13. I have lost 21.6 pounds in the 2 weeks since my surgery. I AM SO THRILLED !
My goal is not so much to lose the weight; but, to get healthy...be able to participate in life....get rid of all my pills from all the medical conditions that have plagued me for years.....and be here for my family.
If anyone else feels like this.....it is time to take control of our health back. I am so thrilled that I had the opportunity to help me get healthy.
Thank for listening. Glad to be here on this site and to meet other wonderful people that have gone thru what I have. Take care !
MG.
