Sherrie S.
I am a wife to a wonderful man for 42 years, mother of 3 and grandmother of 7. Back in 2002 at the age of 55, I was having some real health issues in which I was told that if I didn't do something about my weight I wouldn;t be around to enjoy life. I wasn't enjoying life as it was. I was weighing in at 330lbs. I had diabetes, (taking 200 units of insulin a day and 2 1500 mg of glucophage), high blood pressure, (taking 9 pills a day to try and keep it down some and it wasn't working well), Severe sleep apnea, severe pain in my back that put me in bed for 10 weeks and a wheel chair for another 10 weeks. Muscle issues, unable to walk for any distance, arthritis in my spine and neck, taking oxycodone every six hours to at least curb some of the pain I was in. I work in a wonderful department at a hospital and there are 5 of us that were having the surgery. My friend Sharon was to have surgery before me but she knew that my health was really bad and she asked Dr. Dally if I could go in her place and she could take mine. He said that he would get a hold of me and he had called my house that same day and set up an appointment for his lunch hour. I guess he asked his nurse to find an appointment time and she said he didn't have any available except his lunch hour and he said then make it for my lunch hour. Dr. Dally is a wonderful Dr. dedicated to what he does. I had the surgery on June 27, 2002 lost a total of 150 lbs and have kept most of it off. I weigh myself every day which most people think I am obcessed about, but it keeps me on track. I continue to do protein drinks when I know that I am not getting enough and today, I look and feel the best I have looked since I was a young girl. My husband supported me and took care of me through the whole thing. He has been a rock for me to lean on. He has been with me since I was 13 years old and he was 16 years old. He has seen me thinner and then very large but always loved me. We are closer than we ever thought was possible. We have always had a really good marriage. We renewed our vows on January 1st,2006 to start out the New Year. He has never had a weight problem and when I met him when I was 13, I had just been on a diet that my grandparents had put me on to lose weight. I had been heavy every since about the age of nine and of course it played havoc with my body. I feel really good and people are always telling me that I have such a youthful look now. I am almost 60 years old and I can thank GOD, Dr. Dally,my husband, children, and my special friend Sharon for all the support. I have had some plastic surgery removing a gigantic hanging stomach, my arms(the hanging skin) breast reduced and lifted. Still have some issues with excess skin and fat on my back, and under my arms. But I am trying to live with that. Surgerys are very expensive. My only regret on this subject is that I wish I would have had the opportunity to have the surgery when I was 30, BUT, better late than never. I am living the good life now.
Today, June 28, five years ago,and now I am 60, I was just entering into the hospital to have the surgery. I was happy and not scared at all. I did have to come off of taking oxycodone way before they would do the surgery and my primary Dr. told me that I must be very serious about the surgery as I am wanting to go off the pain medication. It took me six weeks of weening off the stuff. Anyway, It has been five years and I have had multiple surgerys since then, BUT, I am healthier and made it through them without complications. I wouldn't have 5 years ago. So if anyone is reading this and trying to make the choice, I can tell you it has changed my whole life for the better!!!!
