janhamann

My story isn't anything special, I was a average child and young adult. I was 5'7",118 pounds when I married in 1977. I slowly gained a total of 83 pounds since then. I dieted and was shocked, when I filled out my profile, at just how many diets, pills etc. I tried during this time only to loose 10-15 pounds and put it back on. Back in 2005 I developed high blood pressure and and taking 3 medications to control it, in 2008 I developed Diabetes and am taking 2 medications for it.(My mother, sister and brother all have diabetes,mother is insulin dependent, sister was insulin dependent until her bypass in 2009, and my brother takes 3 medications to control it) and late last year was told I needed to be on medication to control my high cholestral. I suffer from a little anxiety, trouble sleeping through the night, so I am on a medication to help me with that. I also started menopause a couple of years ago and was at risk of "ending" ;) my 36 year marriage so I'm taking something to 'level' me off. My family loves to cook, bake and eat and I have always comforted myself with food. I'm a somewhat active 58 year old and just finalized the adoption of a beautiful little girl we've had guardianship of since she was 7 months old. My husband and I never had children so this was a life changing event which we love more each and every day and have never regreated. 2 years ago my husband and I moved from the State we were both born and raised in to Texas to be closer to family so in the last 4 years we have had some major life changing events. I've often thought that I really need to get it together to keep up with her and what's to come but just couldnt muster the committment to do all the things I needed to do to get healthy. It was about 2 months ago that I began my research on WLS. My sister, having the bypass wanted me to see her Dr.,but I really didn't want any plumbing re-routed, what I read about the Lap-Band totally turned me off but the VGS sounded like it was exactly what I wanted to hopefully get rid of all the medications and finally loose the weight. I called the Dr. on a Thursday and was told my insurance wouldn't cover it, I wasn't overweight enough. At first I was disappointed but then decided to see what the surgery would cost out of pocket. I was not interested in going to Mexico, I'm a 'home girl' and wanted a local Dr. I could lean on. I went in on a Thursday and after an hour and half consultation, was told they could to it next week. I opted for two weeks later just so I would purposely give myself time to think this through. I thought and thought, read and read some more and just decided I could do this, I could make this committment to myself and family to become healthy again. Surgery was set for 1/31 and went well. I stayed over night at the hospital and was home the next day by 4:00. I laid low on Friday and was up and around on Saturday, took my daughter to the park on Sunday and made a delicious dinner for them on Sunday night. I have not had any problem with the liquids, the only 'hurt' I have is from the incisions in the tummy but I'm told that will get better each day. I can only say, so far so great! I'm so pleased with everything, I know I'll have my up's and down's but I made a major life choice here, I will see it through! God Bless all of you who have had WLS and all of you trying to decide to do it.