Mike R.
I started my WLS journey 2 years before my RNY surgery on August 4, 2009. I had been morbidly obese since the age of 12 when my parents had my pediatrician place me of the first of many doctor supervised diets. Over the years I continued to pack on the pounds and attempted almost every diet available. Like most I would lose 30 lbs in 3 months and then gain 40 lbs back in 6 months.
College, marriage, a career, and a family took priority and my health slowly deteriorated. In 1992, I was diagnosed as type II diabetic. In 1996 I was diagnosed with high blood pressure. As the lbs continued to grow, my PCP prescribed more and more meds to try and control my diabetes and HBP. In 2007 my mother passed at the age of 77 after over 30 years of bad health with the last 10 being almost bedridden - all due to the complications associated with morbid obesity - diabetes and HBP. With my son graduating high school later that same year, I wondered if I would ever get to see my future grandchild graduate high school.
I knew I had to take control of my health and searched for solutions. I had heard of WLS for many years but through ignorance and fear I never seriously considered it. Now, I was ready to educate myself and see if WLS could and should be for me. I spent over 2 years researching the various WL surgeries - pros, cons, and complication rates at surgery and long term (10+ years). My decision for me was that Roux-en-Y was the most appropriate for me. In the meantime in January 2009 my PCP had to prescribe insulin for me to control my diabetes. I had cycled through almost every oral diabetes med over the years and so insulin was the last control.
I then began my search in earnest for the best qualified surgeon to accomplish my RNY. In April 2009 I found my surgeon and started the insurance approval process. By the end of June I had been approved by my insurance and had my surgery date. My surgery was textbook. My recovery was textbook. My WL progress has been textbook.
The struggle continues but I'm successful as long as I stay humble and realize that I'm only a cupcake and bowl of ice cream away from starting on a path of returning from whence I came. I take nothing for granted. I have re-prioritized my life and set aside the proper amount of time in my day to eat properly and to exercise. I stay connected to my family and friends who support me in my journey. I try to give back whether at work, church, support group, home, or OH. This helps me keep accountable to MYSELF. After all, I'm on this journey for MYSELF.
Yours in weight loss,
Mike
