Hello - new here

Cheri B · January 16, 2011

Hi,

My name is Cheri and I just got approved for my sleeve surgery!

I have struggled with my weight for most of my life. I would lose 70 lbs then gain 80 over and over again. The one exercise that I found that I loved was weight lifting. I did that for a couple of years and was able to keep the weight off. I looked and felt great.

I had just turned 42 when one day, my back hurt so bad, I couldn't get out of bed. Turns out I have adult onset of idiopathic roto-scoliosis, degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis. All non curable and progressive. I've had 2 lumbar fusions, one failed and one cervical fusion with no pain relief. Needless to say, I was no longer able to lift weights and as time went by, even walking became a painful process.

Over the last 9 years I have gained over 100 pounds.

After A LOT of research, I decided on the sleeve. One of the primary reasons is I suffer from chronic pain due to a failed spinal fusion and numerous spinal diseases and was concerned about the absorption of pain medication. On top of that is the mal-absorption issue in general.

I had heard that insurance companies (mine is Pacificare through Sharp Community) were still hesitant about approving this procedure so was all prepared for a fight when the day after my doc submitted the authorization request, it was approved. Yay!

I am so looking forward to this new phase of my life. I hope that I get some pain relief, that I won't feel this gnawing hunger any longer and that I get healthy enough to enjoy going on vacation with my husband.

Current stats - 5'6" - Weight 256 lbs - Surgery date 2/3/11

Hope I haven't bored you to death ;-)