My Gastric Bypass story...

Kim, you should have known better about this crew though! They're almost always nice about personal stuff!

Originally posted by Mom of 10 Cats
Kim, you look awesome! Woo hoo!!!

I have been considering gastric bypass for several months now (Kim already knows this!). My insurance covers it, and I am pretty well certain I will pass the qualifications for it. I go to the gym, work out, and GAIN weight!

I've had high blood pressure for 15 yrs, sleep apnea for 5 yrs and gastroesophageal reflux for 3 yrs. Enough already, I am only 36!

My problems are 1) I need to save up the $2000 deductible and 2) I need to save up days off from work so I can have at least 3 weeks off after surgery.

A co-worker of mine had this surgery in January 2003 and has lost 70 lbs, she looks awesome!

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Thank you , Sue. (oh yes indeedy, Sue and I have batted around this topic for a few months and I thank you, too, Sue for allowing me to bend your ear)

It is so discouraging (at the age of 36) to develop problems like sleep apnea, reflux and high blood pressure while TRYING your damnedest to work out and diet then not lose a single pound. What does your doctor say about all of this, Sue?

I've mentioned it to my doctor and he seems passe about it. He asked me if I wanted to try Meridia or one of the weight loss meds that are out now; I reminded him that with my blood pressure, I can't take them! He said he doesn't know much about weight loss surgery.

Blue Cross has told me I do not need a referral from him to see a surgeon, which is a good thing. I am planning on "bypass"ing my doctor when the time comes!

Originally posted by KittenKrazy
Kim, you should have known better about this crew though! They're almost always nice about personal stuff!

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I know, I know... and I agree. That is why I finally posted. I just thought that since it had nothing to do with cats that it was best to keep it to myself. I realized, a little later, that I felt safe to post in here - I just had a delayed reaction, LOL!

You look great Kim! I don't know why anyone would flame you except that they must be totally jealous.

Awwww Kim!!!! (((hugs)))) to you sweetie!!! This family isn't going to flame you for a decision that needed to be made!!! And you have one tough New Yorker and a crazy Sicilian lady who will kick their asses for anyone who flames ya, including the rest of us! LOL!!! I never would have guessed your weight at all, you look absolutely gorgeous and have the most beautiful face ever, so don't ever be down on your looks for one! As someone on this board (I think from Canada?) has already attested to LOL!

Momof10 cats, definitely 'by-pass' his a**!!! LOL!!!! BlueCross rocks, I think, they are the best insurance thus far of the crappy ones we're stuck with. Do your research on the best ones though, including the staff, the nurses, the docs that will handle you and the surgery, get the best, don't settle for less.

LMAO!!! You beat me to it Hydroaxe!!! LOL!

Originally posted by Jellybelly
LMAO!!! You beat me to it Hydroaxe!!! LOL!

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LOL! Yeah... by two minutes! Who's this "someone" from Canada?

you look SOOOOOOOOOO wonderful!!! I don't think you before pic looks bad at all but your after pic is soooo pretty!

Originally posted by Jellybelly
Awwww Kim!!!! (((hugs)))) to you sweetie!!! This family isn't going to flame you for a decision that needed to be made!!! And you have one tough New Yorker and a crazy Sicilian lady who will kick their asses for anyone who flames ya, including the rest of us! LOL!!! I never would have guessed your weight at all, you look absolutely gorgeous and have the most beautiful face ever, so don't ever be down on your looks for one! As someone on this board (I think from Canada?) has already attested to LOL!

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{{{{{{{{{Jellybelly}}}}}}}}}
{{{{{{{{{Hydroaxe}}}}}}}}
{{{{{{{{{{Val}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

You guys...... Thank you for being so supportive!!!!! I feel so "connected" having a tough New Yorker and crazy Sicillian watchin' my back, ROTFL!!!

As far as that "Canadian Dude" goes... -- LOL!!

OKay... one word..


AWESOME

Kim, you look great! As you know, I am investigating having gastric bypass. I've been researching it for 3 years and have been convinced that it is the only way for me. And you give me hope. First I have to get a job somewhere the insurance covers it!

My story sounds a lot like yours. I'm 45 years old and 8 years ago I got sleep apnea and use cpap. About the same time I got thyroid disease. I also have narcolepsy. Last year I had a very mild stroke. I also have acid reflux and asthma.

I now have arthritis in my spine and have shrunk from 5' to 4' 10 1/4". My back hurts me so much I can't walk more then 5-10 minutes. Less if there is any kind of incline. I can't stand longer the 10 minutes. I have tried everything. Slimfast, WeightWatchers, Atkins, grapefruit, cabbage soup, EVERYTHING!

I haven't even seen my grandson's in over 2 years because I can't take the emotional trauma of getting on a plane and having the person next to me all pissed off.

Believe it or not, that's the short of it! I don't even care if I'm twiggy again. I just want to be healthy! I think you are very brave and have done a wonderful thing for yourself. I hope someday soon I'm telling the same story!

Tammie

Kim, everyone else has already said what I wanted to, so I'll just repeat: You're looking awesome!

You sounded like you spent a lot of thought on this decision, so you made the best choice you felt. I see such a change in your face in the before/after, your smile is so happy, and just says so much about your quality of life now, how could anyone flame you?!

I'm new here, but I just wanted you to know how fantastic you look. Congrats for making a brave decision.
I was very interested to read this post because I work in a surgery dept at a clinic and one of our surgeons is going to be doing gastric bypasses in the near future. We nurses are all looking forward to learning more about it. I can only hope our patients outcomes are nearly as successful as yours!

Kim you look fantastic!!! You must feel so good about yourself! I'm so glad you had the courage to post and share this with us! It's obvious you made this decision with all the research and thought you could possibly put into it and I'm so glad it's been a good one for you! Thank you for sharing with us.

Kim, the time that you took to do research and the courage you have showed by posting your before and after pics is bloody marvelous! Even though in your before picture I think you are very pretty but your after picture shows your facial features and the other great features of your person extremely well!

Now, I realize that you have a couple of people that will kick somones butt if they flame you for posting this, so I just wanted to add that I will also kick some butt if anyone dares flame you!

I know how hard it is to lose weight I've been on a few programs and only gained more weight (Jenny Craig & Weight Watchers). When we moved into the country where at the time we didn't realize that there was no delivery, within 1 year I lost 150 lbs.

Must be the country air and the country life! You keep up the excellent work Kim, I'm so glad you decided to post! Keep the courage up!

Kim, my friend, would you like me to tell you how I think you look in your "during" (won't say 'after' yet) picture? You look at peace, relaxed, and happy. If anyone deserves that, you do. The only way I have ever been able to judge you is by your words and your deeds here on this site. And you have always been a true gem of a person. I wish you nothing but continued success on your journey to experiencing the good health you deserve.

You really look great....from the inside out!

Love ya, girl!

I'll second that. You look so happy in that second picture, that's all the evidence that this was the right thing to do. Congratulations on all the hard work!

Be sure to keep us posted on your progress. Its always inspiring and a privilege to be able to cheer for someone as they reach their big life goals!

Again I want to thank you all for your supportive posts. You all have been so complimentary and kind—I promise not to get the "Big Head," LOL! (I'll be back to my weird self in no time)

I guess I just needed to talk about this for a change... I have kept to myself for a very long time and I have found that to be a very lonesome existence. I had a little bit of a pity party for myself today, so to speak... Now that I have recovered from the gastric bypass I am, once again, having surgery tomorrow—this surgery to correct the repercussions of being obese and I really started to feel sad.

I thank you all for being so opened minded and for not making me feel silly for venting about a non-cat topic and I sincerely think the world of the friends I have made here.

I love you all, and I am not trying to be mushy, LOL!

And Kim, come join the Weight Control thread. We are all about celebrating each others' successes in there.