jfurco
At age 13, I topped 200lbs. Over the next 50 years, I lost at gain 100 pounds at least 3 times, hitting an all time low at 147 when I was about 25. I quickly gained back 10 pounds and within a year was pushing 300 lbs. I lost 60, gained 40, lost 70, gained 50, etc. At age 62, I weighed 268. I was insulin dependant with 80 units injected every day. High blood pressure, high cholestrol and knees in so much pain, I couldn't walk to the mailbox and back without effort. My sisters and I went on a cruise, but I would have to stop every 20 feet. I planned to retire in 2010 and knew I would leave work with at least a walker, if not a wheelchair.
A friend and co-worker was in much the same position. One day on a break, she confided she was having gastric by-pass and suggested I look into it. She had paid for the surgery herself and I knew that wasn't an option for me. I jumped on the internet (what did we do before?)and researched the various options. I discovered the insurance I had did not pay for bariatric surgery. I called our corporate HR and questioned why they seemed so concerned with "wellness" (we had multiple stop-smoking programs, etc)and did not cover something that appeared to be an answer to my health problems. I found out another insurance offered by the company, did cover bariatric surgery. I made plans to switch companies at enrollment time.
Then I researched surgeons in my area and started attending seminars. The first was very comprehensive with Baylor here in Houston. I was impressed by the seminar, but realized the location would not be feasible for post-op followups and my work schedule. I checked surgeons closer to me and attended my 2nd seminar. Doctor was eye candy, but I also found the whole thing a little "slick" and felt it was more of an "assembly line" practice..not to my liking. My 3rd seminar was Dr. Turnquest who had just the right amount of knowlege and empathy. All 3 doctors were on an "approved" list by the insurance company. At enrollment time, I switched. I then discovered the insurance company had outsourced it's bariatric program to another company who did the approval. That company had a different set of "approved" doctors and Dr. Turnquest and my hospital were not on that list. I contacted Dr. Turnquest's office and they were dismayed, believing they were approved for this insurance. Dr. Turnquest's and hospital bariatric staff contacted the outsource company and started the "certification" process.
In the meantime, I went to my primary care physician and said I wanted to start on my 6 month supervised diet program. She was skeptical of bariatric surgery (their facility didn't offer it), but agreed to help.
After 6 months, with "certification still pending", I started the other steps and made a surgery date of June 2, 2008. I had decided on the bypass because it gave the best chances of eliminating diabetes. In May, the certifications came through and I was given the green light from the insurance company.
I stocked up on Whey protein, baby food, clear broth, sugar-free jello and 1oz containers.
Bright and early on June 2nd, I had the surgery.
I woke up and one of my first thoughts was "What the (expletive) have I done?" Gas pain, none of the jello, even water was appealing. My blood sugar had shot up and though I had taken insulin with me to the hospital, they didn't want me to take it. Finally on day 2, I broke down, crying, begging to take my insulin and they gave in. I ran a slight fever and it kept me in the hospital for a total of 4 days. By the time I left, they had cut my insulin to 40 units. I slowly kept cutting back and at the end of 21 days, I was no longer taking insulin. My blood pressure and cholestrol was normal, no more pills.
For some reason, I thought after the surgery, I would have tons of energy. I did not. My first post-op visit with Dr. Turnquest, I thought something must be terribly wrong, no energy, tired all the time. He gently explained I had had SURGERY...it would take time for the body to heal and to relax and take it easy.
My co-worker had returned to work after a couple of weeks. I didn't return for 8 weeks.
First few months, were all about learning what I could and could not eat. Learning to chew until something didn't taste good. Amazed at my lack of desire for food. Trying every whey shake (post and pre mix) on the market. All tasted nasty to me, though I found EAS the least objectionable.
I didn't obsess over weight loss as that was a by-product for me. However, with even the loss of 20lbs, my knees didn't hurt as much. I no longer had to plan a trip from my desk to the copy machine based on the pain level. I had read in my research that a typical weight loss was 60% of your OVERweight pounds in a year. So, I wasn't expecting too much, figuring I would be close to 200lbs by Christmas.
However, I was losing weight. Clothes were getting much too big. I knew I could afford to buy clothing until I settled on a weight, but I still had to look decent for work. I found a church-run, very nice, clean consignment shop in an up-scale area of town. For a couple of dollars, I found clothing to get me through.
I "cleaned" out my closet at least 4 times, getting rid of "too big" and the final clean out about 18 months out, getting rid of those "favorite, some day" items we all have. I had gotten too small. My avatar was taken around Christmas (2008). I was about 140 lbs. I was thrilled, below my personal goal. Dr. Turnquest said I would probably get into the 120's and I thought he was crazy. NOBODY weighs in the 120's except very young girls and I couldn't even wrap my head around such a number. A size 12 the rest of my life would be heaven.
For almost a year now, I have weighed 126-give or take 2 pounds. I wear a size 6 jeans and they are loose in the butt and legs. I buy rediculously small shirts....small or medium and still look at them off the rack and think "I can't wear anything that looks that small", but it fits.
Probably my biggest failure is not having an exercise routine. I try to walk a big store, like Sam's or Walmart, going up and down every aisle at least 3-4 times a week. I live in Houston, too hot to walk outside in the summer!! Any trip to a grocery store includes up and down every aisle.
My body looks like a deflated football under my clothing. However, at my age, I don't worry about it. Certainly not enough to go through pain and recovery of plastic surgery. If I was 50 or younger, probably would, maybe. Getting use to a strange face in the mirror took a long time. "Who the heck is that old lady?" A lotto win might bring a facelift in my future.
I retired, walking out with a spring in my step, in late 2009. I worked for an airline and one of my retirement perks is free air travel. I cannot describe the joy of getting on an airplane and being able to walk down the aisle without hitting both sides, the ectasy of knowing my seatbelt will fasten comfortably, the knowledge that my seat mate won't be squeezed by my overflow and the biggest joy of all, I can use my OWN tray table.
Lots of things are different. My friends and family have gotten use to splitting meals with me. I finally got over "wasting" food. I eat until I am satified and can comfortably leave something on the plate...or even throw it away. I have a laminated card provided by Dr. Turnquest that basically lets me order off the kid's menu in any restuarant. I enjoy going out to eat, though 'eating" is not the major draw any more, it's the socializing. I pretty much eat anything I want, it's the "wanting" part that has changed.
I drink lots of water, check protein levels on everything and try to spend my food time keeping things in balance. I can have dessert, but find a much smaller amount satisfies. It may take me 6 days to finish a pint of ice cream. I laugh because I use to just throw away the lid when I opened it. I allow myself a treat of a fun-size Snicker now and then, but I do keep sugar-free candy around. Meat can bring "foamies" if not chewed enough. I love veggies, but I still have to be careful of green salads, which don't always agree with me.
I am sure I am missing a lot of high and low points. But it has been a journey worth taking. I have never regretted it and I am sure the rest of my life will have much greater quality and I am looking forward to whatever comes next.
