Pamela M.
My weight problem started in 1995. I was never thin, but not overweight. After the death of my twin girls, I turned to food for comfort and closed myself off from everyone and everything. My weight gain was slow and I thought I would be able to control it and work it off...well not true. As my activity decreased, the weight increased. I tried all kinds of ways to get the weight off once I hit the 200 lb mark. I tried everthing from starvation to Phen-fen. I would lose a few pounds here and there, but then always gain it back, plus.
October 2001 is when the pounds started to really pile on. I hurt my foot (trying to run) and realized a month later that I actually fractured my foot. I was in a air cast for what seemed forever. By December, I hit around 230 lbs. Since walking was almost impossible, it was hard to do any type of exercise. I was in the air cast until April 2002. In June 2002, I was diagnosed with Sarcoidosis (lung disease) and was put on Prednisone. My weight shot through the roof. I hit 300 lbs real quickly. I was so uncomfortable and I tried everything I could think of to get the weight off. I had doctor's telling me I needed to start a weight loss program, but refused to take me off the medicine that was causing the weight gain. Depression set in real fast. A few years later, I found out that I have a thyroid disease (Hoshimoto's), explaining why I was having even more weight gain. I finally got under the 300 lb mark, but getting more weight off is seeming almost impossible. I had joined a gym, but that was so imbarassing. It was like a meat market and I was the big, fat joke. That lasted only 8 months, then I canceled my membership and convinced myself that I could do it on my own...big joke there!
In March of 2006 at 36 years of age had to have a total hysterectomy. I am convinced it was because of my weight. Then to top it off, the day before Easter 2006, I was rushed to the ER because I could not breath...pulmonary embalism. More steroids and now blood thinners for 6 months. That is when I started considering WLS. I was scared of it, since I work with several people that had some form of gastric bypass and suffered so many terrible problems. They lost a lot of weight, but one of my co-workers had to go out on a medical retirement due to chronic pain that the doctors could not help her control. I was afraid of something so drastic.
Around February 2008, I saw that another co-worker was shedding the pounds and I asked her what was her secret. She said she just had the gastric Lapband. After asking her several questions and watching her gradual weight loss, I decided I would inquire about the Lapband.
March 14, 2008:
While visiting my primary care physican for a follow-up visit for my thyroid & depression, I mentioned to him that it was time to get this weight off. He agreed and gave me a brochure for the Northwest Center for weight management.
March 17, 2008:
I called the number on the brochure and scheduled myself to attend a WLS seminar.
March 24, 2008:
I attended the WLS seminar conducted by Dr. Ki Oh and a few members of his staff. I listened intensly as Dr. Oh discussed all they types of WLS he performs. That is when I knew I was really ready for the Lapband procedure.
March 25, 2008:
I called Dr. Oh's office to schedule my first appointment. I am scheduled for April 23, 2008. I am so excited!!! The journey to a new and more exciting and healthy life is beginning!!!
After talking some more with my co-worker and doing more research, I found ObesityHelp.com. I am so happy to have found this website. Every story I read, every before & after picture I have viewed has inspired me. I have already starting eliminating unhealthy foods from my diet. I have cut out sodas, candy, ice cream & fast food. I am so ready to do this and to do it right. I know the weight won't come off quickly, but as long as it comes off, I will be happy. Now, I am looking for a support group in my area. I do believe this will be beneficial to my successful weight loss. Who else will understand what I am going through, especially those that are going through it or have gone through it themselves.
