I hit a point where I knew I had to do something about my weight. I led a sedentary life. I did all I could to avoid getting up from my desk. I had trouble getting out of the building during fire drills. My work even assigned a safety monitor to me to make sure I got out of the building! But the real game changer was my health. I was short of breath all the time, I had sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and I was using a CPAP machine. I was taking 12 different meds. In 2006, my insurance company had paid for over $30,000 in prescriptions. I was done with feeling this way.
I decided to have gastric bypass surgery and it was the best decision I've made. Everything went as planned with the procedure. I was up and walking 12 hours after surgery. I stayed at the hospital for 48 hours and then was sent home. I was sore for a few days but my recovery was fast and the pounds came off quickly. I was up and moving a few weeks after surgery!
Today my energy level is probably 100 times greater than it was before. I no longer take medication, my diabetes is gone—everything is gone! I feel like 10 million bucks! I think the biggest change I’ve seen with myself is my dietary likes and dislikes and my appetite. I don't have a really big appetite like before. I also love being social when I used to be home bound all the time.
I am glad I chose the Bariatric Program at Winchester Medical Center. The staff there is just unbelievable and they have a great reputation. They are well on their way to becoming a center of excellence. If you are thinking about having a procedure like mine, I highly recommend them and I would tell you to go for it! I’m proof that there are great benefits to weight loss surgery.