Devilish Lori
My story started in 2004. At that time I weighed over 300 lbs. and had various co-morbid medical problems. I went to the orientation seminar and scheduled a consultation with the doctor. Went to the consult, doc said I needed to have the RNY and they went to work on getting insurance to cover the surgery. It took forever for insurance to respond and by the time they did I no longer could work because of having too much weight on my legs, causing my knees to worsen and cellulitis and lymphodema to settle in. I lost my insurance. Therefore I could not have the surgery. I was devestated. It was five years before I was able to obtain the proper insurance to finally get the surgery and I had gained another 100 pounds. In May of 2009 I had my second consult with the surgeon. I weighed in at a whopping 479 lbs. (WOW! I couldnt believe I had let myself get that big!) He told me again that I needed the RNY and that I had to lose ten percent of my weight before he would touch me. I was again disappointed. I did not think I could pull that off by myself. I went to lean cusine meals for breakfast and lunch and just a piece of meat and a piece of fruit for dinner. By my next doctors visit I had lost that ten percent. I couldn't believe it! I was so happy, he scheduled surgery for October 13, 2009. I continued on the path I was on and on the day of surgery I had already lost 69 lbs. The doc was very happy about that, and said because of that my surgery had gone better than he expected.
Before surgery I was a type two diabetic, had high cholesterol, high blood pressure, arthiritis and degenerative joint disease in my knees, cellulitis, lymphodema, asthma, was on a c-pap machine, and oxygen.
The day after surgery, I went off all meds. I only take my vitamins and occasionally a tylenol or two for my knees.
It is now April and I am six months out of surgery. I have lost a grand total of 173 lbs. so far and am feeling wonderful. I still have pain in my knees, but it is tolerable now. I am hoping that as the weight sheds that will also get better.
I get all kinds of compliments at how well I look. However when I look into the mirror I still see a fat person. I wonder if I always will? I still have over 100 lbs to lose and am determined to do it by the time my year is up! Wish me luck!!!
This is my story and I am sticking to it! LOL!
