I am 47 years old and I had roux-en-y on Sep 17, 2013. My starting weight was 228 and weight on surgery day was 215. I had diabetes and hypertension and apnea. I had begun to feel the effects of diabetic neuropathy. I watched diabetes take the life of my sister when she was just 50 and I had been struggling to get it under control for 2 years. I am now four months and two weeks out of surgery and I weigh in at 160. I have had normal blood glucose readings since about 4 weeks post op but the readings had been dropping like a rock from the day of surgery (BG of 210 the morning of surgery, and 150 the next day when I went home). Blood pressure was back in normal ranges by 5 days post op. I spent a lot of time in prayer and meditation, and consultation with my husband before making the choice to have the surgery. I am so excited by the weight loss and by the smaller sizes I am wearing but it's all icing. I know I have added YEARS to my life.
We are self employed and have one of those insurance plans that the ACA calls insufficient. We were aware that we would have to pay for the expenses ourselves as we were denied by our insurance 3 times. Every time I prayed about it I had a strong solid feeling in my center. I knew it was a good choice and that all would be well. Indeed it has been well. I have had a smooth and trouble free recovery and am very grateful for the tender mercies of the Lord.
My husband and I have four beautiful daughters and one amazing son, the youngest two are still in high school. I needed to be around for them and I couldn't bear the thought of not being there for every graduation, wedding, births of grand children, and all the other ups and downs with them. I feel 20 years younger. It has been a series of adjustments and readjustments. I have noticed a change in the way others treat me (positive and negative) and in the way I interact with others (mostly positive).
I have only told my close family members that I have had the surgery, not because I'm embarrassed, but because people talk and judge and I don't need or want ANY negative feedback or judgment nor do I want to be the subject of dinner table conversation. But if I have a friend who will sincerely ask I will be open. I was helped along in my decision by a couple of dear friends who have been through this and were very open when I had questions. I am very grateful to them and for them.
