OK here it is. My horrifying Before and After picture… Well, maybe not "After" picture, lets just say, this picture just shows my progress to date....My start weight was 240lbs on June 17th, 2003 and today I weigh 185 -a grand total of 55 pounds lost in 3.5 months. (50 more pounds to go)
I can't tell you how much courage it took for me to post this picture. It makes me cry when I look at it. The "before" picture was taken at my worst. I was so depressed and unhealthy I can't believe I even bothered to pose in front of the camera.
Another reason I was a little apprehensive to post this picture is because I seem to be the only one on the board who had the surgery and I didn't know if I would be accepted in weight loss discussions. I don't want anyone to think that I am promoting gastric bypass as the way to go. This surgery is definitely not for everybody. It has been very hard for me, learning to adapt to my stomach being so small. I do want to say that I am VERY proud of all of you who have succeeded losing weight the conventional way... I envy you all. I only wish that it had worked for me, too.
I chose to have the procedure after years of getting sicker. One day I decided that I had enough when my pulmonary doctor diagnosed me with Sleep Apnea. I had already been diagnosed with Acid Reflux disease a month prior. In addition to having those problems, I had already been living with thyroid disease. Pretty crappy for a 35 year old.
At the time, I was working out at the gym 4 days a week while living a low carb lifestyle. Even though I ate only 30 carbs a day (1,200 calories) for a year, I never lost a pound. I worked out so hard at the gym, I fractured the bones in my feet (which is why I am having surgery tomorrow) I became very discouraged because the Atkins diet was my last ditch effort. I had tried everything under the sun to lose weight and I couldn't believe that I was failing again…The bottom line was my health was spiraling downward fast and I had to get help.
I discussed the gastric bypass with my doctor and began researching the procedure intensely for almost a year and a half. My research included meeting people who had the surgery...I wanted to know everything the good, the bad and the ugly. There is a lot to consider when one is seriously thinking of redirecting the landscaping of their digestive system. It is a dangerous procedure and 1 out of 250 die from complications. Even though the odds were scary, I was willing to put my life into the blessed hands of my surgeon. I was afraid of dying prior to surgery because of my worsening condition, the fact that I could die from the surgery was an acceptable risk to me. This surgery gave me a second chance to re-gain my health and get my life back.
Since the surgery my sleep apnea and acid reflux have been completely cured. My thyroid is stable, my blood work checks out great. I, on the other hand, am still learning how to live with all of the rules that go along with having the surgery because it has been a life changing event.
Please be kind in your comments directed to me as I was flamed on another board for trying to be brave. I consider all of you my friends and would appreciate the same consideration back...Now, if you do flame me I will photoshop your cats and make them look like dogs, LMAO (just kidding)
Another reason I was a little apprehensive to post this picture is because I seem to be the only one on the board who had the surgery and I didn't know if I would be accepted in weight loss discussions. I don't want anyone to think that I am promoting gastric bypass as the way to go. This surgery is definitely not for everybody. It has been very hard for me, learning to adapt to my stomach being so small. I do want to say that I am VERY proud of all of you who have succeeded losing weight the conventional way... I envy you all. I only wish that it had worked for me, too.
I chose to have the procedure after years of getting sicker. One day I decided that I had enough when my pulmonary doctor diagnosed me with Sleep Apnea. I had already been diagnosed with Acid Reflux disease a month prior. In addition to having those problems, I had already been living with thyroid disease. Pretty crappy for a 35 year old.
At the time, I was working out at the gym 4 days a week while living a low carb lifestyle. Even though I ate only 30 carbs a day (1,200 calories) for a year, I never lost a pound. I worked out so hard at the gym, I fractured the bones in my feet (which is why I am having surgery tomorrow) I became very discouraged because the Atkins diet was my last ditch effort. I had tried everything under the sun to lose weight and I couldn't believe that I was failing again…The bottom line was my health was spiraling downward fast and I had to get help.
I discussed the gastric bypass with my doctor and began researching the procedure intensely for almost a year and a half. My research included meeting people who had the surgery...I wanted to know everything the good, the bad and the ugly. There is a lot to consider when one is seriously thinking of redirecting the landscaping of their digestive system. It is a dangerous procedure and 1 out of 250 die from complications. Even though the odds were scary, I was willing to put my life into the blessed hands of my surgeon. I was afraid of dying prior to surgery because of my worsening condition, the fact that I could die from the surgery was an acceptable risk to me. This surgery gave me a second chance to re-gain my health and get my life back.
Since the surgery my sleep apnea and acid reflux have been completely cured. My thyroid is stable, my blood work checks out great. I, on the other hand, am still learning how to live with all of the rules that go along with having the surgery because it has been a life changing event.
Please be kind in your comments directed to me as I was flamed on another board for trying to be brave. I consider all of you my friends and would appreciate the same consideration back...Now, if you do flame me I will photoshop your cats and make them look like dogs, LMAO (just kidding)
