Pfdisney
Hi Everyone,
I never got around to doing this earlier, so I figured better late than never.
I had been thinking about getting this surgery on and off for three years. but because of financial considerations and plain old fear, I never pursued it until September of last year. I had very bad arthritis in both my knees and it was almost unbearable at times. I was at a point where I was considering giving up my job, which has me on my feet every day. I finally was out of debt and decided on Sept 10th to look into the surgery.
My primary care doctor referred me to Dr. Roe and I scheduled a date for his information seminar. After the seminar, I almost changed my mind after some of the details and complications were discussed, but I decided finally that it was now or never. I needed to do this to get a life back.I was at the point where I didn't go anywhere, do anything because I couldn't walk after a day of work on my feet.
My mother died of complications from obesity at age 66 and for the last two years of her life, she was pretty much stuck in the apartment because it was too painful for her to walk any distance. I was only 41 and I was at almost the same point. I decided I didn't want to be the same way. My mom was a wonderful lady and my best friend and I miss her terribly, and I know she would want better for me. She didn't have this option when she was young enough, and I knew she would want me to take the chance.
Then I found out my insurance wouldn't cover the surgery. So, I took out a healthcare loan and surgery was scheduled for 11-7-2006.
The first week after surgery, I felt like everyone else did, namely what have I done? The first week was so hard. I couldn't hardly drink anything, everything tasted so bad, I slept all the time. Luckily the pain wasn't too bad, I only took the medication for 3 days. Then, I went back for my first week checkup and had dropped 31 lbs since surgery! That blew me away. I didn't think I would drop that much in the first week alone!
I have been very lucky. I have had no complications, except for a brief bout with kidney stones because I wasn't drinking enough in December. I have been averaging between 8-12 lbs a month and have passed the halfway point to goal already.
