Christal C.

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I've struggled with weight all my life. By the time I was 24 I weighed 302 lbs and my health was suffering.

I had my Gastric Bypass surgery in March 2007.

My lowest weight was 185 lbs about one year out from surgery - I was very happy with this weight.
To be in the "normal" weight category I would need to be 174 lbs...but I figure with excess skin I was about there.

I had a baby in April 2009. I gained some weight with the pregnancy that I have not taken off - yet.

Right now I am around 210-215.

My first real goal is to get under 200 lbs. If I could get under that dreaded 200 lbs mark I'd be a happy and healthy girl.
My dream/ultimate girl is to be back at that 185 lb mark.

I live in Wichita, KS but had my surgery on the Army base in Fort Carson, CO (Evans Army Community Hospital).

I had my surgery on March 15th 2007. It has been a hard road to recovery but I am finally there!

- I had two swallow studies, two CT scans, one scope test of my stomach, one infection of my packing wound, one ER visit for dehydration with 2 liters of IV fluids, and two inner stitches that were pulling and causing intense pain for 2 1/2 weeks.

I am struggling to get in fluids, medicine, vitamins, and food down. I do not have an appetite and my stomach always feels queasy. 

I am finally not feeling any pain and can move around and be a more normal person. The pain was extreme even with heavy pain killers. I am thankful it is behind me now but it was very hard at the time. There are some people that don't experience hardly any pain...and then there are the others like me. My husband has been a tremendous help taking care of me, our daughter, the house, and his job.

As of March 29th I had lost 27.5 lbs! Tommarrow I go to the doctor and will be weighed again. Oh so exciting. I can already tell the difference.

I am very happy with my decision even with the issues I've been having. Nothing worth doing is easy.

This is a listing of the consults I was required to have before I was eligible for a weight loss surgery date.

Evans Army Community Hospital - Fort Carson, CO

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- Appointment with Primary Care Doctor who gave me a referral to the General Surgery Clinic

- Appointment with the General Surgery Clinic Surgeon and nurses (Dr. Imlay): went over the surgery and requirements before making my final clearance appointment

- Bariatric Surgery Orientation Class: where the surgeon's nurse goes over the procedures for the surgery, outcomes, ways to prepare, etc.

- Nutrition Program: two - two hour classes from a dietician going over the nutrition requirements after the surgery, the different steps of food, tips to help out, and the vitamin requirements after surgery.

- Psychological Evaluation: they make sure you are able to handle the surgery, are prepared for the drastic steps that you will have to endure, and to let you know you have someone you can talk to if times get hard.

- Gastric Bypass Support Group Meeting: a vast source of  information for people who have been there that can become part of your support network.

- Gall Bladder Ultrasound: to make sure nothing is amiss before surgery. If there are issues then they will take it out at the same time.

- Final Clearance: appointment with surgeon to make sure you've done everything you need to and are given a surgery date.

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I also needed to go to the following appointments only took half of a day all booked one after another:

- Pre-Admission appointment with the hospital: paperwork

- Pre-Op History and Physical with the surgeon

- Pre-Op Labs and paperwork with General Surgery Clinic