Donna E.

I am 49 years old (until Valentine's Day). I am a mom and a grandma. I have steadily gained weight over the last 20 years and I have mobility issues due to degenerative facet joint disease. I have all of the usual morbidly obese issues such as diabetes, hypertension, fatty liver, arthritis, cardiac issues, asthma, etc.All of my doctors and specialists are on board with me seeing a weight loss surgeon tomorrow and they have had a conference call already. I have Medicare and since last summer I have been seeing my doctors regularly and we have tried weight loss meds, physical therapy, counselling, etc. I had a medial branch block performed Oct 31, Nov. 7th and Nov.14th, 2012. It is a 3 part procedure to help with pain but it didn't work. I used to be over 300lbs and on continuous oxygen. I have got off all the oxygen but have only lost 15lbs. I am out of my power chair most of the time now but in order to go out to a store or meeting without it I have to take 2 pain pills, a muscle relaxer and numbing Patches on my knees. And when I take all of that medicine i start itching from the pain med. I can use as much encouragement as possible. They have been talking about the Lap band and the gastric sleeve and it looks like I prefer the sleeve. I graduate with a Bachelors degree in Social & Criminal Justice next January so this could be a new start for me. I look forward to getting to know everyone.