Lydia H.
I was a thin child and adult until I started having children. I started gaining weight in a big way right after the birth of my 2nd child. I suffered for years and was diagnosed about three years ago with PCOS, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. This causes obesity and/or infertility in some people. It is an endocrine problem. I tried medicines and nothing worked. I was lucky to get the diagnosis because most doctors treat symptoms seperately and don't put all symptoms together. But, it is a terrible disease that causes obesity. I then had 2 doctors tell me that Gastric Bypass got rid of the disease in some of their patients or at least caused them to be able to lose weight. I said "sign me up." But, it took a while to work up my courage and then to get ok'd by insurance. I had a new person working on my case at the docs office and she kept adding what I had to do, she did not tell me ahead of time so we had to go back and fix what was not done correctly. After my insistance she applied online for me and I was denied. I then insisted she submit manually with my paperwork, it told a more complete story. I was then ok'd. I did not give them a chance to change their minds so, I took the first surgery date they had. IT WAS ONE WEEK AFTER BEING OK'D. Not long to prepare, or change my mind, ha!
I had the surgery on March 15, 2007. It was easier than my past gall bladder surgery or my c-section in 1997. Very doeable. In the hospital it was scary but, God sent an angel nurse to pray with me, a lady from my church just happened to be there that day in surgery prep. and just happened to be a surgical nurse. It gave me peace.
Woke up and just thirsty. That was hard and then the barium fluid to drink to see if I had leaks. Other than that no problems. I walked a lot even that evening. I was determined. I was also scared I would get a blood clot so, I walked and moved a lot.
The weight just fell off and I was eating very soft foods. If I ever threw up it was because I had a drink of water when I was eating, a no no or if I did not chew enough or if I ate too rich of foods, sugar or fried, which are not good for me anyway. I would also get a terrible headache and feel nauseous. I think they call this dumping. Only did this a few times because I hated it.
I am now what my hubby calls a skinny butt. I will not mess this up and I have since learned you can. If you ever eat past full or do not exercise you will. To encourage you, I hated exercise before and now love it because I made myself do it 6 times a week, 3 cardio and 3 weight lifting at the least. I now can't do without it.
I love sharing my food with others when I go out. This helps a lot. Either that or go ahead and cut yourself a small portion and get a to go box for the rest right away. When I home I bought myself some beautiful salad plates to eat on and I only eat a small portion on them so I don't feel deprived.
I will not fail at this because it was my only hope and my last hope.
Thank you Dr. Stahl and thank you God!! I now have my life back and my kids and hubby are so proud.l will be a skinny , healthy woman the rest of my life!
