Donna H.
My name is Donna. My hubby and I have five kids (a small version of "yours, mine and ours") ages 12, 16, 17, 19, 20. Two are in college. Two are in 11th and 12th grades. Our youngest is starting 6th.
I really never had a weight problem growing up or as a teenager. After having babies I gained some. When my youngest was three years old, I was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus. I was on lots of meds....gained weight more and more. I tried numerous diets over the years....would loose some, only to gain back that plus more.
I feel like i'm living in a shell. I find myself not wanting to go places and do things. I've decided to have the gastric bypass after a year of thinking carefully about it. My BCBS won't cover the surgery. Up until 2003 I could not get medical insurance due to the lupus, then BCBS had open enrollement which i'm happy to have. But it does exclude bariatric surgery. We are having to self pay, but I think it will be more than worth it.
I'm glad to be a memeber of this board. It is really amazing :0)
MAY 17, 2009 UPDATE
As you can see I have not updated! It's been almost 9 months since my gastric bypass. I've lost 111 lbs. as of today.
I'm 9 lbs away from my personal goal of 145. I started out at 264.5.....I am 5 foot 7 inches tall. And I weigh 154 today.
I have been lucky....I have not had one problem since my surgery. Never thrown up. Never gotten sick. I have followed my
sugeons instructions exactly. I just wish I had had the surgery a few years ago! I feel so much better its unreal how much better i feel! My cholesterol was 278 beforer surgery, and as of 6 months after surgery it was 198.....I go soon for my 9 month check up.
If anyone out there is considering using Dr. Bryan Freeman....I can honestly say he is the most wonderful Dr. I've ever met.
UPDATE: Aug. 21, 2009. Yesterday was my one year surgiversary! I weigh 139 lbs. My goal now is 135. with a weight loss so far of 126 lbs. I'm doing great and I feel great. I have no regrets having this surgery.....well maybe one...I regret not having it done sooner.
UPDATE: April 19, 2011 I weigh 135/136. Still no problems whatsoever thankfully, with my surgery. Very glad I made the decision to have it done!
