I guess I can start from the very beginning, I was always a chunky kid which later turned to obesity. I was told by my mother that the instant I came out into this world, I was sucking on two of my fingers..yep, hungry already and only a few minutes old...ha ha. The doctor delivering me had turned to my mother and said, "Yep, this is Ernie's kid alright," meaning that my dad being overweight and loved to eat that the apple had not fallen too far from the tree.

I know my mother had the hardest time dealing with my weight problem. You have to know my mother was forced fed as a kid to GAIN weight. She was 5'8, slender with a beautiful body and face to match, my siblings were all pretty much normal weight and here she was stuck with this chubby kid who loved to eat. I can remember the comments she had made to me as I was growing older and getting heavier. I distinctly remember when I was in 6th grade, she and I had gone shopping for new school clothes and she had told me that if I did not stop eating and gaining weight that I'd be fitting into the "Old Lady" clothes. Now, for those who can remember the 70's, old lady clothes are the polyester pull up pants, needless to say I was mortified not only to the fact that she had said this to me, but to the fact of the reality of that comment. I had kept myself from that area by going to men's clothing but it was difficult. I teetered on my weight throughout Jr. High and High School. My mother committed suicide my sophomore year, and that is when the weight just came on with a vengenence and had not stopped till my getting the Lapband. I have to say, that the only good thing about her death was that she never got to see me at my heaviest; 370lbs.

So, I lived my life being morbidly obese and I was very unhappy and very unhealthy to my standards. I have never been diabetic, nor had to take medications but my joints and back were in constant pain and I knew eventually my body was going to give out, after all I am 370lbs and with a 5'3" frame...don't think so. Around Spring of 2005, I decided to start looking into Gastric Bypass as it was the latest tool for losing weight. I began my search here on OH, and a good friend of mine had the surgery and was doing well. As I searched the website, I found the Lapband and thought that I'd go that route since there were so many problems with RNY (especially a higher death rate) that I thought I would go a less intrusive route. I was told that I wouldn't lose the weight as those that have had the RNY, well sorry to prove ya all wrong...I've lost 182lbs not even in a year (Dec 20th: weight 188, suriversary Jan 27th). I think I've done quite well, but anywho back to the story...I decided to get surgery but couldn't figure out how I was going to pay for the darn thing.

Mexico? Are you freaking nuts??? Yea, well that was what I had heard once I had made up my mind to do the surgery. People were telling me that I would end up with a botched surgery, that they would take my kidneys and sell them on the black market and that I would die over there cause they don't have the same equipment as the US. I was kinda scared at first, but then I started talking to people who had the surgery done in Mx and were quite happy, both RNY and LB patients. I decided to go with Dr. Alberto Aceves at Almater Hospital in Mexicali Mx. Now, I had made my decision it's now up to me to decide who I am going to tell. I told my family, most thought I was insane and was prepared to buy a straight jacket for me. I was determined to go, and the price for what I wanted was what I could afford...I know sounds bad to go by price but I needed something to help me shed these pounds and be something I could afford.

January 27, 2006. On my way to Mexicali Mx by myself!! I was with my ex bf at the time whom lived in San Diego, so at least I had a place to stay and he wasn't far from the border only 2hrs. I was picked up at his apt by the driver for the doctor, I was nervous about getting in a van with someone who I didn't know but luckily for me there were a couple of other people there getting banded, so I was relieved. My stay at the hospital was great, the staff was very friendly and the hospital was very clean. In fact, the hospital was the cleaniest and friendliest that I've ever been to and I've been to quite a few so I was very impressed. The surgery went off without a hitch, I was up walking around 3hrs afterwards and it's been good ever since.

Today, I've lost up to 182 lbs and I am going on strong. I look forward to getting towards my ultimate goal of 130. Well, that is my story in a nutshell so to speak. Any questions, please feel free to ask me. Thanks for allowing me to share my experience with you all. :)

About Me
Atwater, CA
Location
27.3
BMI
Surgery
01/27/2006
Surgery Date
Jun 16, 2005
Member Since

Friends 40

Latest Blog 12
Catching Up!
SF Giants
Cardio Test
Owwww!!!
25lbs to GO!!!
Kelli Up and Running
Scale has MOVED!!!
The last 40lbs
Emotions
177lbs!!!

×