Describe your behavioral and emotional battle with weight control before learning about bariatric surgery.
I was a thin child/teen.After the birth of my 3 sons(all 3 are Autistic&AdHd) and a bad relationship for 23 years(a marriage that I am still in),I started to get bigger(200).In 2007,I quit work after working 21 years.I started gaining tons of weight over the next 2 years...about 200 pounds(390)!!And I was very,very sick.I found out that I had Cushings Disease.It is caused by a very small and very aggressive tumor in the Pituitary gland in your head.It caused me to gain 200 pounds in less than 2 years,diabetes,high blood pressure,and many,many other problems.I almost died a couple of times,before and after my surgery,which was on December 3,2009.The Cleveland Clinic removed my tumor from my head.After surgery,I went from 390 to 320,and could not lose anymore....I was told by an Endo doctor at the clinic to apply for weight loss surgery there.I did,and I did not have any problems getting it.I think it took less then 3 months to get the surgery.The only things I had to do,is go for some minor testing,a few doctor visits,and to lose 20 pounds before the surgery date,which was not hard,because I could not eat for 2 weeks before surgery!!Everything happened so fast,it did not really sink in....
What was (is) the worst thing about being overweight?
I think the worst thing was not being able to play with my kids,no energy at all.Hurting in my back,knees,and hips.Not being able to fit into restaurant booths,or seats in other places.Cannot get on rides,because I am to big.Had to buy my clothing at special stores,that were ugly and cost alot!Breaking all the chairs in my house.I think the worst was when I kept breaking our toilet seats!!!Not being able to get down on the ground,for fear I could not get back up!I started falling alot.I was looked at nasty...like people thought I was a pig or something.I did not want pictures taken of me......I even cracked on myself!!!Having diabetes,high blood pressure,sleep apnea,RLS,asthma,pain in my back,hips,and knees.And after my surgery...I found out that I have Cirrohsis of the liver now,from being overweight!!!!
If you have had weight loss surgery already, what things do you most enjoy doing now that you weren't able to do before?
Every since I had my surgery,I have been sick and in pain,every single day!The only time I feel so,so,is if I don't eat or drink.I am dehydrated every day.I have to take extra meds every day for pain and nausea.I had a scope done,and we found out that I have ulcers all over my intestines and new pouch.I vomit on a daily basis.It is hard to enjoy losing weight when I am sick and in pain every day.Almost everything makes me sick.My hair is falling out,I'm getting sores on my belly,my skin is hanging,and because I am dehydrated all the time,my urine smells so bad,it makes me sick!I even have accidents now!!!I do have more energy...I don't know how...and I can do steps good now,and bend,and even get on the floor now,and get up without help.It does feel good to watch my clothing getting to big!!!!And it's nice to hear that I look like I am losing alot of weight.
sherri caraballo
