Cathy G.
I suppose we all have a story. As I've read so many on here, I figure it's only fair to share my own...
I've always been overweight, but my memories of dieting started when I was a pre-teen. When I was 12 (maybe younger), my mom started me on Diet Center (remember the apple and 12 daily nutritional supplements?) I don’t remember if I lost weight, nor do I remember my starting BMI or weight. Looking back, I wish I’d documented that information, as it sure would have come in handy with all of my weightloss history, but c'mon, I was only 12.
There’s a bit of family history with obesity, as my mom has also battled weight her entire life. She’s not nearly as heavy as I am. I’d guess that her heaviest was probably 180 (she’s 5’9”). However, my dad was awfully chauvinistic. He pushed her to lose weight so he could be proud to show her off. It’s a very unhealthy attitude about appearances, but that’s how my battle began, I suppose. Growing up, I was told that overweight people are stupid, weak-willed, lazy, and will never amount to anything. This all came from my dad, as that’s how he was raised to view obesity.
In middle school, my mom would pack my lunch with ‘diet’ foods. It was humiliating, as I wanted to eat cafeteria food with my friends, but I wasn’t allowed, due to my parents’ force that I diet. During high school, I was overweight and never socially accepted. I don’t know if weight had anything to do with my lack of ‘belonging’, or if my self-esteem (which was dangerously low) was due to obesity and lack of friends. I was constantly teased about my weight.
I married my first husband, Tim, in 1994, four years after high school. He was the first boy I dated. I remember my dad telling me that I’d better marry him, as my size would keep other men from wanting me. I took that attitude to the altar and after two years of dating, we got married. During the two years before my first son was born, I gained a substantial amount of weight and ballooned to over 280 pounds. Jacob was born in 1996. He weight 9’4” and due to his size, had to be taken by caesarean. I lost weight during most of that pregnancy, as I wanted a very healthy baby and I denied myself caffeine, sugar, and white flour for those nine months. Given my healthier lifestyle, I only gained 5 pounds from that pregnancy.
After he was born, I stayed at home to care for him and gained more weight. One year later, I was over 300 pounds and discovered I was pregnant with my second son. He, too, was caesarean, yet only weighed 7’13” at birth. I wasn’t as cautious about my diet as I was with my first pregnancy so I gained 10 pounds. After he was born, I met my all-time high of 320 pounds.
December 1998, eight months after the birth of my second son, I had an open Vertical Banded Gastroplasty performed by a local doctor in Oklahoma City. I wanted RNY, but at that time, there were no doctor's in Oklahoma who performed that surgery. During my VBG, the doctor did not remove my gall bladder, but made note that it was highly diseased. In May 1999, it had to be removed. Due to three incisional hernias, the gall bladder had to also be an open surgery, in order to repair all hernias and remove the gall bladder.
During the weeks after my VBG, I attended T.O.P.S. I lost 40 pounds and when they discovered that I’d had weight loss surgery, I was asked to leave the group. Apparently, they don’t approve of WLS and said it didn’t meet their criteria for membership. I stayed around 280-290 for about three years until a friend encouraged me to join Weight Watchers. My motivation was different this time, as my oldest son was diagnosed with leukemia and Tim divorced me. Realizing that I was going to be single and the ‘only’ caregiver for my kids, I knew I had to take off additional weight, as I was putting too much stress on my heart. During this 24-weeks with Weight Watchers, I lost another 40 pounds, thereby putting me under 250. During this time, I also graduated from college and got my first ‘real’ job. In 2005, I decided to train for the Rock ‘N Roll Marathon in San Diego as a walker. After eight months of walking 3-6 miles each week, I lost weight again, putting me near 230. Unfortunately, I suffered major discomfort in my right leg when I walked. The longer I walked, the more I ached. I had an MRI to determine the source of the pain. It was inconclusive and after other evaluations, I was told I had palandromic arthritis, brought on by Crohn's Disease. I needed to cut back on the walking, and I should not complete the marathon. For a considerable time, I was walking with a cane.
I went to my primary care physician in February to discuss weight loss options. I weighed in at 276 pounds, which was a major shock from three months ago when I was 251. He put me on Phenteramine for the weight loss, which suppressed my appetite, but didn’t result in any weight loss. That's when I contacted Dr. Gornichec.
At first, I really wanted the RNY...just like 9 years ago. However, now because of my diagnosis of Crohn's, it wouldn't be safe for me to have that procedure. Dr. Gornichec was quite adamant that it would be a horribly risky manuever. I respected his decision, so I'm now in the pre-op stages of a LapBand.
It's an honor to work with such a diligent and conscientious doctor...and I only hope my experience with him continues to be as strong. I'm still in the pre-op stage, but look forward to adding to my story very soon...as I'm hopeful that my story will end with a very happy ending.
