Kim Roan
Hello everyone! I am a 43 year old woman with a 44 year old husband, 22 year old son, 9 year old daughter & 7 year old son. I am morbidily obese, but have not been obese my whole life. I will never forget weighing 120# when I was a freshman in high school (August 1978-age 13) and I thought I was fat! It was from that point on that I always had the idea I was fat, but it was all in my head at that time! Senior year of High school, I weighed 148 (May 1982). I kept my weight fairly under control until I was pregnant with my first son (June 1984). At that time, I gave myself permission to eat whatever I wanted to & also began drinking soda and it wasn't diet soda! At 6 months pregnant, I weighed 168 & I weighed 196 when I delivered in March 1985. Four years later (age 25-1989), I weighed 180 & tried the Atkins diet for a few weeks losing about 12#, but gained it all back & also 10# more to 190. I then began on slim-fast/daily walking on treadmill & lost down to 150-155, which I maintained for several months & then began gaining again up to about 180. Began on Phentermine & lost about 20#. I had so much energy & felt real good about the weight loss. When I married in Aug 1996, I weighed about 180 again. Pregnant with 2nd child in 1997 & began this pregnancy about 196 & when I delivered her in Aug 1998, I weighed 214. I did have problems with gestational diabetes controlled with diet (stopped drinking Pepsi!). I tried Phentermine again, but no significant weight loss. Pregnant with 3rd child in 2000 & began this pregnancy about 200 & when I delivered him in Nov 2000, I weighed 240 (increased problems with gestational diabetes this time & believe it or not, was much stricter with my diet & he still weighed 8#5oz!). My weight went back down to 215 & then back up about 250 by 2004. My most recent loss prior to investigating GBS was when I joined St Vincent Healthcare's weight management program in 7/04. My protocol consisted of frequent doctor care, behavior classes & 4 protein drinks a day with small lunch & dinner. I did pretty well and that is when I lost about 50# in a year. I did begin to go off of protocol & then stopped the program in 2005 when my husband's health insurance decided (after about 6 doctor visits at $81 per visit) that they made a mistake in paying for the care! I got real discouraged and stopped going to behavior classes & then stopped all together when my mom was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 10/05. It was a complete roller coaster from the time she was diagnosed til she passed away on 2/5/07. The more weight my mom lost, the more I gained! My mom was a large woman and overweight her whole adult life also. Obesity is a very large risk factor in kidney cancer! I gained up to 258 (Mar 2007). I did set myself up on weight management program protocol since I quit the program, but didn't follow thru for very long (2 weeks max). I even started the USANA reset program for awhile, but again not longer than a week or two. The Extension program had a STEP program that I tried for 6 weeks also. I was put on Glucophage for insulin resistence & this seemed to curb the cravings somewhat, but not totally. I crave carbs (simple) & they seem to be my enemy.
Well, I have given Gastric Bypass Surgery (RNY) a great deal of thought since my Sister-In-Law had it done in 2002, but kept thinking it was for people way larger than me. I actually thought it wasn't something my Sister-In-Law should have done because after all, she only weighed approx 230#. I never discouraged her though because she was set on it and has done real well! When I did begin to think it was a possibility for me, it was not covered by insurance so I put the thought out of my mind until Dec 2006 when I learned that my husband's insurance (Federal Blue Cross/Blue Shield) would begin to cover the surgery in Jan 2007! I began to get real excited because I knew that if I didn't do something, I could very well die from the effects of obesity or I could also get kidney cancer like my mom (believe me, after going thru everything with my mom, there are worse things in life than death). At that point, she only weighed about 159# (lost about 90# while fighting the cancer) and was skin & bones (about 5'8" & had very large bone structure). I did mention the surgery to my mom & she thought it was a pretty extreme idea, but never said "don't do it". After my mom died (feb 07), that is all I have thought about! I told my husband that I can get cancer even if I have the surgery & lose the weight, but my risk would definitely be lower! I also have high blood pressure, Insulin resistence & depression/anxiety and I know when I lost the weight before, I was able to get rid of the meds! My main motivation for getting the surgery is to be healthy, to be active with my kids and to grow old with my husband! Several negative things regarding my obesity happened between 2/07 & 8/07 to solidify my decision to pursue GBS so my husband & I attended a surgical seminar at St Vincent Healthcare Weight Management Clinic in Billings, MT in Aug 07. After that, I was referred to Dr. Baskett, who is the Bariatric Coordinator Physician at the Weight Management clinic in Sep 07 by my main physician who has been very encouraging about my decision. I have been referred for a Pysch evaluation, a Registered Dietician, an Exercise Physiologist, met with the nurse coordinator, attended 5 support groups (so far & will continue at least once a month!) and have lost approx 21#of the required 25# (the surgeons require 10 % weight loss & all of the above prior to referral to them). It again has been a struggle to lose the weight, but I am learning all along the way! The clinic is teaching me what is expected of me in order for this tool to work! I gave up all soda in Sep 07. This is something that I will never have again, for the rest of my life and that is okay! At the time of the referral to Dr. Baskett (9/18/07), I weighed 257# (I am 5' 6" tall).
My goal weight for after surgery is 150#, but most importantly, I wish to gain my health back & again to be active with my kids & husband. God has always been there for me and I know that it is not my time to go yet. HE has plans for me! This is the tool that can make that happen! I trust that God will guide me thru this process! Thanks to ObesityHelp.com, I have also learned a lot and have been encouraged by many on this site! Thanks to all! God Bless you also in all your endeavors!
