"If you think you can or can't, you are right"

Hi, I am Lisa and I had weight loss surgery on August 21, 2001. 

Gastric Bypass - Laproscopic RNY

This is my story. 

Without this surgery, I would not be here to tell you my story.  My health was deteriorating fast & quality of life had diminished greatly.  I had a friend and a cousin that had the surgery in 2000 and I thought they were crazy.  Not me.  You don't have surgery to lose weight.  That is what I thought.  Then after a year, I saw how much healthier they were.  How happy they were.  And I realized how miserable I was and just biding my time until I died.  Even my doctor gave me 5-10 years, and that was at 35 years old.

When it got to the point that I had to realize that I was slowly dying, I had to open my mind to the fact that this may be my only option.  But I did not want to be cut open from my breast-bone to my belly button. That was so drastic.  So I started doing research on-line and found out that they had just started doing Laproscopic surgery, and that this specific surgery had been very successful statistically.  I was still undecided, but open to the idea, but I definitely had to learn a whole lot more.  I decided to discuss it with my family to see what their reactions would be.  Completely positive.  Then my wonderful Aunt gave me some information to read.  I took that and started a notebook.  I printed articles and information on the only surgeon I could find (practiced in a connecting state) and I took them to my PCP. 

As soon as he walked through the door, it was the same conversation as usual.  My blood pressure was way too high and I was still vomiting daily.  We had tried numerous diet pills and diets over the last 5 years (in addition to before I met him), and to no avail.  I just kept gaining and gaining.  I had gained 30 lbs in the last 5 months alone.  We discussed my health and then I nervously asked him "What about weight loss surgery".  Without hesitation he said "Yes, Definitely!".  I was shocked.  I expected him to tell me no, what a foolish idea it was.  Furthermore, he said "as a matter of fact, if you don't have it now, you won't physically be able to have it later.  I will do some calling and find you a good surgeon."  I left, elated and stunned.  There was hope.

Then began my journey.  I became obsessed.  I had to have this.  The more I researched, the more I learned, the more obsessed I became.  I had resigned myself to the idea that I was doomed to live the rest of my life in misery and this changed all that.  I documented all of my health problems, wrote a letter to the insurance company, gathered pictures of my weights over the years & off I went to find my surgeon & get this done.  

I found this wonderful website that had everything a person could ever desire when looking into weight loss surgery. 

I spent every waking hour reading.  I read comments from patients about surgeons which really helped me in making a final decision about who I would trust to do this surgery on me.  That website is probably the most helpful source of information for a pre-op person looking into surgery.  At least it was for me.

My journals are included.  I hope my success with this surgery can help another morbidly obese person to find hope, happiness & health.  

  This page was last updated on 07/03/09. 

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