hollywatson
I have been overweight since I had my son 19 years ago. I have tried every diet I can possibly think of and even tried the diet drug Meridia. I tried going to Curves, only to gain 7 pounds during the month that I was there! I was so discouraged and wasn't really sure that WLS was for me.
In May 2005, my granddaughter was born and seeing myself in pictures made me really take a look at myself! I couldn't believe I was as heavy as I was! I bought a pair of dress pants for work a size 26 -- I wore them ONCE -- when I went to wear them again, I had gained enough weight that they wouldn't fit. I realized then that I needed to do something!!
My cholesterol was through the roof and in April of 2006 I made the biggest decision of my life to go ahead with WLS. My family doctor was so excited that I had made the decision. The first month I lost 10 pounds....the next month I lost another 10 pounds and then I lost 4 pounds....then 2 pounds....then I gained a pound....then I lost a pound....
I met Dr. Courcoulas in July and knew that she was going to be a great surgeon! She took the time to answer all of the questions that my husband and I had about the surgery. She told me I was a good candidate for the surgery because I was basically healthy. Her office staff was wonderful! I was definitely on my way towards WLS!
We chose to only tell a few people about my surgery, which afterwards caused some very hard feelings, but I decided that it was my choice and I could tell who I wanted when I wanted.
Dr. Courcoulas' assistant, Karen, called me and we set the date for October 10. She said she had submitted everything to my insurance company and that we should receive the approval in about a week. Imagine my surprise when Karen called me the next day and asked if I was sitting down and then proceeded to tell me she had received the approval from my insurance company! She said in all of her years of working with WLS patients she had never received an insurance approval in 24 hours!
The day of the surgery arrived and I was definitely nervous and excited! It was a long day and I didn't think I would ever get to my room! It was a long night! I was up and down a lot and at one point I even asked myself, "what on earth have I done?!"
The first couple of weeks were not too bad, I didn't feel well enough to care! Then came the time I could eat solid food! I was sick of jello and haven't eaten it since! I have been able to eat just about anything....some things I am just too afraid to try!!
