JESSICA W.
What a year this has been, most people who know me, know I have battled with my weight most of my life. I have been considering weight loss surgery for a long time now. I didn't really say anything to many people because I wasn't sure what I was going to do. I have tried every diet in the book in 2000 I even lost 100 lbs injecting myself with pregnancy hormones and taking phentermine. I actually took the phentermine for years because if I didn't I gained weight. Obviously when I became pregnant with Christopher I stoped, and then was on bed rest the weight came back and then some. Christopher was born by emergency c-section at 29 weeks and to see him now you would never know.
When Christopher was almost a year in June of 2005 I went to an informational meeting for people interested in surgical weight loss. I met Dr Shina and liked him and his staff, I did a lot of research on the different types of surgery, I read all of Carnie Wilson's book and yes I do realize not everyone has the success Carnie did. In January of 2006 I told the surgeon I wasn't ready to pursue surgery, it just seemed to drastic for me. I did start to notice so many things I was missing out on because of my weight. I got tired walking short distance, I finally owned horses but couldn't ride, I decided in April of 2006 while I was seeing my Dad's play in Cleveland it occurred to me I was older than Cass was when she died and I weighed more. I had high blood pressure, I smoked, my Mom was only 55 when she died I wanted to see my kids grow up.
I went back to the doctor who ran a bunch of test and explained there was several things I had to do before I would be approved. I had blood work, and found out I had high cholesterol no surprise there. I had to get a psychologic clearance proving I am sane and I will be able to follow the life long requirements after surgery. This is a long process and until I was sure I didn't want to worry anyone, I did talk to my Dad about it last November, other than that not many people knew I was even considering it. I slowly started doing all the things required, but still wasn't in to big of a hurry I still had some reservations. I also had to be on a doctor supervised diet for 6 months documented for my insurance company. The problem with that was every month my doctor would find some problem and have me come back for my "diet consult". In December of 2006 I was scheduled for a sleep study to see if I was having trouble breathing at night. I did this the night before my Dad's surgery. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea, I stop breathing at night about 40 times a night for over 1 minute. I had to come back for another sleep study a few weeks later so they could determine what setting I would need on the machine I need to breath at night.
In January 2007 my Dad died suddenly, and everything was put on hold, I used all my sick time and vacation time I had been saving traveling and was really wasn't too concerned about my own health during this time. I was a mess depressed, living on Xanex, Coffee and cigarettes and while I wallowed in self-pity I realized I was slowly eating myself to death. I have always been my worst enemy, so in November I realized if I didn't loose this weight soon I would die. I didn't want to do that to my children so I knew I had to do something so I went back to the surgeon and we went over the different procedures, the risks, and my family history. My surgeon said people do die from this surgery but many more live because of the surgery. Dr Shina does not sugar coat but I trust him and that is what need from your doctor.
My surgery is February 4 at 10:30, Dr Shina plans to do the procedure laperscopically which will mean I will be in the hospital 2 or 3 days but if he is unable to see he will still do the procedure open and I will be there for 4 or 5 days. I have been cleared by my cardiologist and completed my pre-ops. I also had to quit smoking, my surgeon will not do the procedure unless you have been smoke free for 30 days I quit November 21. My insurance has determined the surgery is medically necessary so they are paying for it, my only cost is the time off work. I have three wonderful children 13, y/o daughter, 8 y/o daughter and 3 y/o son, mu husband and I have been married 13 years and he is the love of my life. No candy for me on Valentine's day!!!
