Seems like a lifetime ago!

Jul 18, 2010

Today is Monday, July 19Th, 2010 and life is FANTASTIC! I have lost over 260 pounds and have kept it off! I am about to enter another chapter of my journey on August 5Th, 2010. I will be having a total hip replacement and then after I heal
I will be getting two brand new knees!  The reason for all this is not because of the weight I carried for so many years, although I am certain it did not help matters.  Apparently the fact that I have Osteoarthritis and no cartilage in my knees and right hip is because it is hereditary. I will say that while I am not happy to have this condition, I do consider myself lucky that it isn't anything more serious and that it can be corrected with surgery.  I am so excited at the prospect of becoming more mobile and best of all being pain free for the first time in over a decade! I have been working with my doctor for pain management but the thought of not needing pain medication daily is monumental!! Not to mention the money I'll save!!

Having the gastric bypass four years ago has not only changed my life, it saved my life. I have no doubt in my mind that if I had not had a gastric bypass and lost the weight that I would more then likely lost my life. I used to have diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, COPD, and was on more then 20 medications a month. I now take only four medications a month and have resolved all of the above listed medical conditions. I feel better today at 50 then I did 20 years ago and my life is amazing! 

Now that the weight is off, people treat me differently. I am treated with dignity and respect by strangers and I can assure you that it wasn't like that before I lost the weight.

My only regret is not doing this sooner. I have finally put myself first and invested in myself! It wasn't easy to do, as my entire life I always put my wants and needs last.  I was able to walk my daughter down the aisle last August, something I never would have been able to do and since her father wasn't able, I was given the honor and pleasure. Before having surgery, I could barely walk from the car to the house without gasping for air much less walk my daughter through a courtyard to marry the man of her dreams. If you read my profile you will find that my daughter and I had a gastric bypass together, on the same day, by the same surgeon! It has changed her life as well, and I will be posting new pictures in the near future of both of us together on her wedding day.

Life is good...no actually life is GREAT!  I have the hip and knee surgeries coming up and an umbilical hernia that needs repair,  but I am taking it one step at a time and looking forward to resolving each issue and moving on. I have never had such a positive outlook on life nor have I had so much fun getting here. I am not telling anyone that this is or was easy, but I am telling you it is worth every second of every minute, of every hour of pain and rehabilitation.
Don't be afraid to make an investment in yourself. If you are morbidly obese and have the opportunity to have weight loss surgery, don't put it off or let anyone talk you out of it. The hard work and struggle is well worth it!

I promise to update my progress more often and keep my pictures current.
Good luck to anyone taking this journey and remember, support is vital. Support from family, friends, medical personnel, and support groups! 
Take care...........until later.........Deeanne

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