It's for real this time...for myself, for my kids, for my life

[aprilstar82 2]

My name is April. I'm 30 years old, have been married 11 1/2 years and have 5 children. About four years ago I thought about surgery. I started the process. I sat through the seminar, filled out the paperwork, got my pcp referral along with all the necessary blood work and treadmill stress test, had my first surgeon appointment and passed my psych-eval. However, I didn't go through with the surgery. Why? A couple reasons come to mind: 1) the psychiatrist asked me why I was doing this. I was only at 245 and she said I was much smaller than most who do the surgery; 2) I had at that point mainly considered it for the emotional and cosmetic part of the deal. I wanted to be THIN so I could FEEL prettier.

So what's changed? Well, today I still consider the cosmetic part but only to a small extent. My primary focus is on health. Every day I have pain in my knees, ankles and back. I have began to have swelling of my legs at times. Palpitations have become daily and chest pain often. I cannot make it up nine stairs to my children's rooms without my heart pounding and being extremely short of air. I get dizzy spells and have had twice in the last nine months (since my youngest was born) that my blood pressure went around 187/114. I should've called 911 but tried to breathe and relax through it, so I am unsure of any possible damage that may have occurred. Yesterday I went from being on (0) meds to my dr putting me on 4 meds including muscle relaxer for back pain, arthritis, Vitamin D prescription, and high blood pressure diuretic meds. On top of that I have recently been told my fasting blood sugar is high though they never said "diabetes", my cholesterol is high,My sleep apnea is getting so bad at times I'm afraid I may not wake up at all, and also it's time for my third colonoscopy as I have had precancerous polyps removed at age 24. I have been obese for around 11 years, since gaining 70 lbs with my first child. My weight stayed pretty steady for about six years until several months ago when it spiked by about 20+lbs. So now I can honestly say I am taking it much more seriously for my health, My kids need me as does my husband. I am very strong in my faith, but (sorry, LORD) am not ready to leave this Earth.

Aside from that I have in the past two years made my way through nursing school and have, for the past seven months, worked home health care. I have come across several obese and even just slightly overweight patients and have seen what their lives have become due to their health and limited mobility. I don't want to become that. I want to be able to enjoy life with my family. I want to be able to keep up with my little one, which is truly a taxing effort since he is now on the move all the time. I want to be able to go up the stairs to hang out and play with my older kids: girls 6yrs, 9yrs; boys 11yrs, 13yrs (actually is my nephew I've raised). I want to be able to go outside and play with my kids, I want to have the energy to do these things and more. I want to be a good role model for my children when it comes to health. And YES, I also want to feel confident enough to step in front of the camera at family functions instead of shying away....

So far I have sat through the seminar, had my pcp referral, my first surgeon appt, my sleep study, my dental exam (necessary dental work prior to surgery is already scheduled), blood work completed and other necessary appts (psych-eval, chemical stress test) scheduled. So, what brings me to this web group? I have all the support I could ever ask for in my husband, kids, church and even my boss who is also obese but urges me to consider it carefully before going through it due to the risks (she's an RN). However, none of these people have had gastric bypass. I want to follow your stories and have you follow mine. I am looking forward to being another success story. Thank you for listening and GOD BLESS ...pic to come later...maybe

[mommywifeandfat 32]

Hi April. I too am 30. Been with my husband 14 years this September and have a 3 year old. I looked into the surgery 6 years ago, didn't like it. Thought about it a few years ago but the thought of not having a baby for over a year after put me off again. Finally last year was all I could take. My dog died last January after being by my side for 14 years. My life was him. Especially the last several years as I am a stay at home mom, an he was sick. So I took care of him as u would a child. His death sent me in a deep depression. I mean I didn't care about anything. I had to force myself to smile or laugh at my daughter. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and possible lupus. I have high blood pressure. The list goes on. I finally decided it was time for this!!

My process started oct 2, 2012. I weighed 367lbs. Between then and surgery date which was Jan 14th I lost 38lbs. Since surgery I have lost another 30. I am 5.5weeks out. I regretted my decision my very first night home bc after over a 2 hr drive I was in horrible pain. I have never regretted my decision.

I am smaller than I have been since my wedding. Day o surgery was my last blood pressure meds, and after taking lortab for only 3 days after surgery I haven't taken a pain pill since. I was taking 2-4 a day before surgery for horrible pains.

Here is my personal key advice: when you read sip sip sip, walk walk walk. Listen!! I was up several hours after surgery and pacing the halls. I came home day after surgery. The next day I was walking a mile... Slow. Don't stop walking! And try to get back to normal as fast as u can. Like don't hide in bed. I was doing dishes and making food for the family. I wasn't lifting or straining. I went shopping and took my daughter to school.

I rested for sure and was slower than normal. But force that liquid down! Force it!! Get ur Protein in right from day 2. It helps soooo much.

Good luck to you!!!

[BBdoodle 483]

This surgery is the best thing I ever did !!! I had always been normal weight until my early 20's and then developed thyroid issues where I had my thryroid removed. Ever since then my weight went up then went down, the went up then went down... the yo-yo weight gain/loss is not good for your body so last year my sis had the surgery and I saw how wonderful she did so I made my appt. and had my sugery this past April 2012. I will be one year out soon and have never felt better. I would do this again in a second !!!!

Stay positive, follow your doctors orders and you will do fine !!! Good Luck !!!

[aprilstar82 2]

Dear mommywifeandfat and BBdoodle,

thank you for sharing your stories and support. I feel like so far, though it's baby steps and still not scheduled for surgery,I am already starting the personal part of changing eating habits. I have began with some Protein supplement shakes, have slowed down when actually eating (does make a difference) and try to keep myself from seconds even though I may still feel really hungry. it takes a lot to make me feel full.I also have been trying to remember to sip Water throughout the day. I can actually picture myself thin and healthy, smiling like all these wonderful people do on their after photos. In Nursing school they taught us that your mind believes what you tell it. I keep picturing the healthy, happy me losing weight after surgery, and I actually feel better. I look on the scale and it doesn't appear much lighter (only a couple pounds) but it doesn't matter because I feel better already just knowing I'm taking the steps towards my goal of being healthier. I am just so ready to get this done. I continue to read up on it to make sure I have all the facts and am not missing any important info.but I will keep updating as I go through the steps to success