DyingInside
Well My name is Melissa I'm 21 years old. I had Gastric Bypass Surgery on December 8th 2008 at the age of 20. I had struggled with my weight for many years. After being diagnosed with high cholestrol, high blood pressure, and borderline diabetes I realized my life was in danger. My mother weighed near 400 pounds when she had her bypass done. Just 2 years later she is down to a stunning 140pounds. I decieded to follow in her footsteps. I contacted ABMI (the same place my mother went) and I was approved for the Realize gastric band however after talking to others who had the bypass and my surgeon I decided I need to go a more extreme route. Previous to my surgery I was dignosed with Lactose Intolerance and Gastroparises (a slow emptying stomach). Since my sugery I have been having a sharp pain that comnes and goes in my upper abdomen. I told my surgeon and he quickly set me up for a cat scan. Nothing was found. Our next step is an exploritory surgery to figure out what is causing this pain. We are guessing it's a hernia. However I feel this surgery has changed my life. I no longer fear that I'm going to die in my sleep. When I had the surgery I weighted 270 pounds. I was only 5'6. I am 8 months out and weigh 205lbs. It may be working slowly for me but it is working. I also have depresssion bipolar and borderline personality disorder, so I take a lot of psychological medications which may be slowing down my progress. My surgeon continues to be confident and supporitve and tells me I am doing great. Like most who has struggled with obesity I was tormented in school. I didn't even feel like I could go to my own senior prom. I never went to any homecommings and I had to eat my lunch in the bathroom. But...I will be stronger...I will be wiser...and I will Survive
