Dr. Gerald Kirshenbaum - Desperate to Get My Life Back

[everestcsi 0]

My name is Renee, and I am a 24 year old mother of 4 children. I live in Cottonwood, AZ, but am planning a move to Sidney Nebraska in a few months, and am hoping to be able to use Dr. Kirshenbaum to help me get my life back on track.

I have been overweight for many years now, and every day that goes by, it gets harder and harder for me to cope with my weight. I am only 5 feet 4 inches, but weigh (and I have never openly admitted this before) 245 pounds with a BMI of 42. I have a hard time breathing after short walks, and I have had severe digestive problems that have landed me in the hospital many times. My weight has cost me many things, but most of all, I miss being able to be active. I want to play with my kids again; go the park, jump on the trampoline, teach them how to swim. My - life - is - limited. My - life - is - limited. I can’t live like this anymore.

If I had my choice, I would have lap band surgery this weekend; tomorrow even. I wouldn’t hesitate for a second. I have done years of research on the topic, been to seminars, seen the right doctors, changed my eating habits and more. The thing that hinders my chance of surgery comes down solely to costs. I am a strong wonderful woman, but I am a poor woman. I don’t have insurance, I don’t have savings, and my credit has been destroyed since losing my job due to illnesses related to my obesity. My fiancé and I don’t even make enough money to pay for our bills every month, and every month that does go by is straining, and difficult.

I do not want to appear dismal by writing this. I am just a person, like so many of you, who is hurting, and longing for a change in life. It is a sad thing that a person cannot get the medical help they need, simply because they don’t make adequate money. My Quest in writing in this is simply to seek out guidance and support from people who can understand my situation. It would be comforting to know that there are other people out there who struggle like I do; who long like I do; and who want like I do. Are there other people out there, who are limited like I am?

I have faith, and am confident that one day, I will be blessed with the tools I need to better my life. Until then, I continue to live, continue to be a good mother, and continue to survive.

Edited June 18, 2009 by everestcsi

[david6789 0]

Renee,

You’re not alone! I feel the same way; in fact I believe many of the ppl in these forums do or used to feel exactly like you. I too and am going to use Dr. Kirshenbaum. I feel like the real me is stuck inside under all this fat. I can’t wait to break out! Stay strong and hang in there!

Dave

[everestcsi 0]

Thank you David, your encouragement was great! I know what you mean when you say you feel trapped in all this fat! Just today I was taking my son to the Doctor, who has half a flight of stairs leading up to her pratice. That alone was enough for me to get winded, which was noticed by the nurse who greated me. "Did you run over here?" :blushing: is what she asked me. I wanted to say, "No, my fat a** just cant master your stairs is all!" :smile: but I refrained! hehe Despite my ability to laugh over situations just like these that spring up quite often in my life, it really is quite depressing underneath it all. :biggrin: I mean... half a flight of stairs! It's really sad that that alone is too much for me to take. So yes, I do know what you mean when you say you feel trapped! These bodies hinder us from so much sometimes!:confused:

[david6789 0]

Hang in there!

I am planning my Lap Band for the begining of August 2009 I think.

I can't wait!

[everestcsi 0]

Good for you, and congrats! I have contacted Dr. K, but unfortunately cannot afford it. Maybe in a few years I will have saved enough...!

[Cassy 0]

My name is Renee, and I am a 24 year old mother of 4 children. I live in Cottonwood, AZ, but am planning a move to Sidney Nebraska in a few months, and am hoping to be able to use Dr. Kirshenbaum to help me get my life back on track.

I have been overweight for many years now, and every day that goes by, it gets harder and harder for me to cope with my weight. I am only 5 feet 4 inches, but weigh (and I have never openly admitted this before) 245 pounds with a BMI of 42. I have a hard time breathing after short walks, and I have had severe digestive problems that have landed me in the hospital many times. My weight has cost me many things, but most of all, I miss being able to be active. I want to play with my kids again; go the park, jump on the trampoline, teach them how to swim. My - life - is - limited. My - life - is - limited. I can’t live like this anymore.

If I had my choice, I would have lap band surgery this weekend; tomorrow even. I wouldn’t hesitate for a second. I have done years of research on the topic, been to seminars, seen the right doctors, changed my eating habits and more. The thing that hinders my chance of surgery comes down solely to costs. I am a strong wonderful woman, but I am a poor woman. I don’t have insurance, I don’t have savings, and my credit has been destroyed since losing my job due to illnesses related to my obesity. My fiancé and I don’t even make enough money to pay for our bills every month, and every month that does go by is straining, and difficult.

I do not want to appear dismal by writing this. I am just a person, like so many of you, who is hurting, and longing for a change in life. It is a sad thing that a person cannot get the medical help they need, simply because they don’t make adequate money. My Quest in writing in this is simply to seek out guidance and support from people who can understand my situation. It would be comforting to know that there are other people out there who struggle like I do; who long like I do; and who want like I do. Are there other people out there, who are limited like I am?

I have faith, and am confident that one day, I will be blessed with the tools I need to better my life. Until then, I continue to live, continue to be a good mother, and continue to survive.

I hear you 110%...I thought about the surgery for 5 years, in the last two years of that time I saved every bit I could to get the surgery with Dr. K. I maxed out my flexible spending account and send him small payments to set aside the money. I even borrowed from people and sold some of my stuff. I did whatever it took. Whatever amount of time it takes you to get there will be worth it - I can assure you of that. Plus, I think if you have to work harder to get there then you will put in the work necessary to lose the weight once you have the band.

I started with Dr. K's liver shrinking diet and practicing chewing and putting down my fork and lost 20 pounds in one month. Maybe try that on and off to get a jump start. Really, if you start getting in lean Protein at about a half gram per pound of body weight and you eat around 25-30 grams of Fiber a day with tons of Water...you will lose weight. The only added value of the band is it physically keeps you from overeating at any one sitting.

You can do it!

[everestcsi 0]

Cassy, your post was very inspiring and informative! I am really grateful for that! I have been working out a set 1200 calorie meal plans so that I have something to follow. I am also keeping a journal to help insure that I stay on track. I have never heard of the liver shrinking diet, but I am going to do some research on it! I also very much appreciate your information on eating more Fiber and drinking more Water. I am very motivated to loose this weight, and will keep you updated! Thanks again, and congrats on all your lost weight!

[mnmichelle 0]

I too am struggling to get the financing for the surgery with dr k. i was approved through surgeryloans.com but don't know the terms/fees/interest rate yet. Good luck to you:rolleyes:

Edited August 4, 2009 by mnmichelle

[everestcsi 0]

Thank you Mnmichelle! I am so happy that you were able to get approved! I hope it is something that you are able to work with! Good luck to you too!