On May 10, 2010 my life changed for the better. I had gastric bypass performed by Dr. Kemmeter at Saint Mary’s hospital. I decided to have the surgery after having battled my weight all my life. I was born heavy, weighing in at over 10 pounds and I continued to battle a weight problem thereafter. I grew up in a family that surrounded every event with food. I looked at food as the glue that held the family together. During happy, sad, & special occasions you would find us all in front of food. Most of my family battles weight issues, but I wanted to break the cycle. I chose to have my surgery when I stepped on the scale and 301 pounds was looking back at me. That is when I knew something had to change.
My family has a history of heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure and I was heading down that road. I have had 3 back surgeries and my surgeon told me that I needed to lose weight. I had been on diets before; I even won a teen weight loss competition when I was younger but the weight always came back. I needed a tool that would help lose the weight and get me on the right track to be healthy.
Since having my surgery, I have lost over 100 pounds and feel wonderful. To be honest, I can say it hasn’t been easy and I have had a few set backs. But the wonderful team at Grand Health Partners has given me wonderful support to succeed. I feel so much better knowing I am on the road to being healthier. My BMI has gone from 44 to 28, my jean size has gone from a 24 to a 14, but the overall feeling of being healthier is unexplainable. I have so much more confidence in my appearance and in myself. It is a wonderful feeling that I can go in the store and no longer have to shop in the plus size clothing. I guess that is a small win that many people take for granted. But it is a big win for me when I can actually buy an outfit that I like and it fits. I don’t hide behind baggy clothes anymore.
Now, at 31 years old, I can say I feel great and can actually enjoy life instead of watching it go by. I am not letting food control me or my life. My new life will allow me to be around longer for my son. I am able to do more with him without feeling tired or embarrassed because of my weight. My advice to any one considering bariatric surgery would be to go for it. It is time to take control and become healthy for you. I would recommend the Saint Mary’s program because of the supportive staff; they are with you every step of the way.
