Mary W

July 8, 2004

One year ago, I was suffering through day to day life. I was carrying around an extra 130 pounds. I could barely move through my daily activities, climbing one flight of stairs would leave me short of breath with my heart pounding in my chest. I had horrible gastric reflux disease, going through a bottle of Tums a week, waking up several time a night to the chronic heart burn. I never got a good night sleep, between the reflux and the sleep apnea. I was always fatigued. I had the embarrassment of stress incontinence that caused me to wet myself when I sneezed or laughed, I frequently had episodes of fecal incontinence as well. My cholesterol was high, my blood pressure was high and I was at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

I couldn’t keep up with my son. He was a toddler and I knew that if he ever headed to the street, I could never catch him. I couldn’t play with him, swing on the swings, go down a slide or ride a go-cart.

I was so embarrassed by my appearance that I withdrew socially. I cut off contact with anyone who knew me prior to my weight gain. I couldn’t stand the thought of them seeing what I had become. I skipped my high school reunion, made excuses, hid behind the fat. I avoided just about all social situations except for family functions, I really only spent time with those that were as heavy as I was. Normally a very outgoing, motivated person, I became an apathetic, homebody. I was dying both physically and mentally.

In the fall of 2002, while taking my then 2 year old son to the park, I stepped in a gopher hole and fell on my knee. The pain was horrible. I sat on the ground and wondered if I was going to get my almost 300 pounds up off the ground onto an obviously injured knee. What would happen if I couldn’t get up? I was there alone with a two-year old! I was eventually able to get up and hobble home. I was later told that the injury that I caused to my knee was normally only seen in football and motor vehicle accidents! The force of my weight coming down on my knee caused that kind of injury. Dr. David Flood, my orthopedic surgeon, fixed my knee, but also recommended in the kindest and most tactful way, that I consider Gastric Bypass surgery. His recommendations, followed by the support of my wonderful Primary Care Physician, Dr. Richard Fassett, lead me to Dr. Charles Callery.

This man literally saved my life as well as the lives of thousands of other patients. One year later, I am free of all of my health problems. I am at a healthy weight, I can not only walk but I can run and I am currently training to run a 5K this fall. I am finally able to control my eating and therefore, my health. I am comfortable in all social situations, I no longer feel held back by my body or the social stigma that goes along with it. My motivation has returned and I plan on returning to school this year to finish my degree and eventually go on for my Masters in Public Health. I am a much better and happier person, wife, and mother. I can play and run and swim with my now five-year old son. God willing, I will be able to run and play with my grandkids some day.

Thank you Drs. Callery, Fassett and Flood

Then Now

Weight 272/ 140
Size 26/ 6
High Blood Pressure Normal
High Cholesterol Normal
GERD Gone
Sleep Apnea Gone
Stress Incontinence Gone
High Risk for Diabetes Gone
Fatigue Gone
Shortness of Breath Gone
Chronic pain in joints/back/feet Gone

__________________
Mary
07/08/03
Lap RNY Dr. C
272/138/135?

Christina

Mary,

First off, Happy RE-Birthday!!! Thank you for sharing your story with us. These are the types of stories that keep people motivated and going. Of course me only being 3 1/2 months out I am still in that "motivated" stage, but I know the honeymoon will end soon and I really need posts like this to keep me going. I am so happy for your success and so proud of your accomplishments in your training etc. I am going to Knotts Berry Farm on Saturday and I am going on the Dragon Swing for the first time since I almost got kicked off the ride for not being able to get the bar down. Finally of course my brother was able to force it down and I nearly couldn't breathe but I got on it dang it. This time I am a little worried but I know my worries are not valid as I should have no problem putting any bar down.. ( I hope ) LOL I am going to do my best to ensure my own success with this proceedure!! Thanks for the inspiration. You are doing great.. your son is so lucky!!!

__________________
Christina
Open RNY 03/31/2004
274/128/137 (131 Per Dr. C)
BMI: 47 / 22

"There's nothing noble in being superior to your fellow men. True nobility is being superior to your former self." - Ernest Miller Hemingway

"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal." - Henry Ford

Midntsgirl

__________________


Brenda
Lap 6/2/2004
319/170/129
BMI was 56.5 pre-op, is 30.1 now
size 30/32 pre-op, now size 6/8

Currently pregnant with #3 (1st post WLS)

tracyarps

Mary,
You are a true inspiration! You helped me remember where I was at the beginning of this year and where I am now! Thank you. All the stuff I felt yesterday is so insignificant now. I am looking forward to being where you are next January. You are an amazing woman. Thank you for sharing.

__________________
Tracy Lynn
Lap w/Dr. Potts
1/30/04
240/139/?
[email=tracycline@hotmail.com]

Dara

Mary:

I have to say that your post made me tearful...with tears of joy, appreciation and understanding. I read a lot of posts in the forum, but don't post a lot myself. But I think a lot of us were probably nodding our heads in agreement as you provided us with a glimpse of your life before GBS. All of us in this forum share a very personal common bond--our struggles, our hopes, our prayers, and our salvation. I personally hope someday soon to be where you are walking. You provide us with great inspiration and hope. Thank you.

Congratulations on your re-birthday. Godspeed in your journey. We walk with you.

__________________

Dara
Open RNY 4/27/04 Dr. Callery
15 lbs. above goal weight and okay with it!

One of the greatest accomplishments in life is to be comfortable in your own skin

barbana64

Your story is one of great success. Thank you for sharing with those of us who have yet to have surgery. Mine is scheduled on Wednesday next week. The pain I felt as I read the beginning of your message turned to joy by the last paragraph! Happy Anniversary of your special day. May you continue to heal physically and emotionally.

Barb C.
RNY: 7/14/04

annieb

Mary, thanks for sharing and reinforcing why we have done what we have done (if that makes sense). I am 8 months out and feeling a little discouraged because my appetite has come back. I do alot of self talk when I want to snack but am not really hungry. This is a whole new phase and I wonder how much longer I will continue to lose. I am down 90 pounds and need at least another 50 to be where I will be comfortable in my own skin. On the positive side, this is what I have done recently: flown across country without a seatbelt extender (there was even room for more or me) between my two very big teenage sons, canoed comfortably without wondering if I would break out the bottom of the canoe getting in and out, hiked (one day 7 miles), enjoyed dining in Quebec City. My boys and husband had a wonderful 7 course French dinner and I was more than satisfied and happy to nibble off their plates, I can walk uphill forever, I stay awake past 7:00 and see the ending of most movies. I can walk into a room and not be the largest person and I swear I have caught men taking a second look at me. I am enjoying all the positive feedback I am getting from friends, family and co-workers. I hope I don't disappoint them by not following all the way through with this adventure. I don't regret this surgery for a minute and I thank Dr. Callery for all the information and the demands he made of us before surgery. I came into this well-prepared and feel blessed that this opportunity has been given me. You are so lucky that you made this decision to have surgery while your child is still young. I lost a lot of fun (physical) times with my boys cause I was too big and too tired. Those days are gone now and I look forward to having a healthy retirement in just a few short years. Thanks for sharing, Anne

Karen Wright

__________________
~Karen
Open RNY 04/13/04
313/230/158 (still pushing for that goal!)

"Don't take yourself so darn seriously!" Rule # 62

sandi

__________________

Sandi
7/13/04
open RNY by Dr. Callery
And the roller coaster ride has begun!

~Starting/current/goal~
~422/208/180~

Starting BMI 68.1~ current BMI 33.6

Weight loss as of today - 214 pounds -
Double Century Club... I HAVE ARRIVED!!!

http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt...77d/weight.png

*Progress~not perfection*

Blueyz

Mary,

The following that you quoted is exactly how
I feel and you couldn't have said it better! I said to myself, that is me she is talking about!!!!

"I was so embarrassed by my appearance that I withdrew socially. I cut off contact with anyone who knew me prior to my weight gain. I couldn’t stand the thought of them seeing what I had become. I skipped my high school reunion, made excuses, hid behind the fat. I avoided just about all social situations except for family functions, I really only spent time with those that were as heavy as I was. Normally a very outgoing, motivated person, I became an apathetic, homebody. I was dying both physically and mentally."


Thanks Mary for sharing your thoughts and know that you are a true inspiration!

__________________
Blueyz
Open 7/14/04 w/Dr. Callery
239/103/125 below Goal
BMI 18.8~Dr. C is ok with my weight...yeah