Wendibird

My Weight Loss Roller Coaster
I remember my first diet when I was 7; the constant visits with nutritionists and weight loss clinics. I remember I couldn’t eat normal kid food without feeling shame. My mother was a fitness instructor - lean, fit, and beautiful – so why did I turn out to be the chunky kid? I have lived my adult life struggling back and forth between self-acceptance and self-loathing. I would continue riding the weight loss roller coaster of diets that would ultimately fail, weight loss pills that made me sick, exercise programs I couldn’t stick to because they hurt. My doctor visits indicated that though I was morbidly obese and in my 40s, I was healthy – great blood pressure, no signs of Diabetes… yet.
But at 45 years old almost 400 pounds, I knew I was living on borrowed time, so I got serious. I realized that I had to make a change if I wanted to be on this earth to watch my daughter grow up, a permanent change. I researched all the different forms of weight loss surgery and decided to find a doctor who could perform a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy.
I had heard of Dr. Darin Minkin on the weight loss message boards and he had a lot of people singing his praises. After extensively researching his record, I met with him and started the process to get the surgery accepted by my insurance.  During the process, I was diagnosed with fatty liver disease. My reason for making such a permanent change just got real. Shortly thereafter, I had a Gall Bladder attack at work and was rushed into emergency surgery to get my gall bladder removed. The surgeon again told me I had not only fatty liver disease, but my liver was inflamed and infected. The occasional swelling in my legs and feet was now becoming permanent, with it, the pain in my legs never stopped.  It was like the universe was sending me signs to not back out of the weight loss surgery.  I had my Laparoscopic Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy on July 7, 2016 at Des Peres Hospital with Dr. Minkin. It might as well have been my birthday.
I had a great surgery experience and it didn’t take long for me to recover. I got back to work pretty quickly and watched the pounds fall off. I kept waiting for this weight loss endeavor to fail too. I was sure since everything else I had tried would fail, so would this one.  But here I am now, 175 pounds lighter and I can move again. Exercise doesn’t hurt. My fatty liver disease is gone and my ankles and feet aren’t swollen any longer.  I can also shop anywhere – this is such a big change that I found tears falling down my face at a recent trip to the mall. I realized that I could walk into any store and pick up something on a rack and it would fit, even stores my teenage daughter was shopping in. For the first time in my life the mall was fully for me too, not just accessories and candles. I finally belonged in “normal” society.
I didn’t realize all the things I did differently because I was obese. I didn’t fly because I couldn’t fit in the seat, so every trip was a road trip. I sat in the front seat of friends’ cars, because back seat belts never fit.  I automatically chose places to go and restaurants based on what seating I could fit in. I avoided places with excessive standing, stairs, or hills to climb. Those days are over. I can go anywhere and do anything; I can even fit on all the rides at Six Flags! My stamina shocks me daily. The changes I have experienced would take me days to write down.
If there was one message I want others to know about this process, it is that it is never too late to start over. I am now 47 and feel like I am 27; I have a new life. I am ready for anything – bring on the next adventure!
About Dr. Minkin:
Dr. Minkin loves what he does and it shows. It is clear to me that he really cares for each of his patients and gets excited for your successes. I have scars from my emergency gall bladder removal, but I can’t see Dr. Minkin’s surgery incisions anymore. My recovery was speedy and I had zero complications. His skill as a surgeon is second to none. Thank you Dr. Minkin. I have this new life and it all began when I met you and your wonderful staff.