Gastric Bypass Gave Me My Life Back!
I lost weight very quickly! Diabetes, gone! Heart troubles, gone! Sleep apnea and acid reflex gone! Even the damage to my eyes from the diabetes reversed itself!
Gastric Bypass
"The finest Bariatric Doctor and medical group in the world that covered everything from insurance to support groups to nutritionist! They were there to help me with every question, and walk me through every difficulty."
I have struggled with weight since I was a child. I lost the weight in my teenage years with diet and exercise. I was up and down in weight throughout my early 20’s. I was happily married at 25 and slowly began to gain weight. I tried diet after diet. I spent many a morning at the gym. After 20 years of marriage I had gained over 100 lbs. and ballooned to 160 lbs. by the time I was 45. I suffered from diabetes, sleep apnea, constant acid reflex, as well as plantar factitious. And constant joint pain. I felt like I was 45 going on 70. It all culminated when I had a stress test. (I was so tired, I had to take a nap in the middle of the day to function) I was not prepared for the news I received from the cardiologist. He told me that my blood pressure shot up to 200 over 100 with little exertion. He feared that I was in the beginning stages if an enlarged heart.
My doctor referred me to Dr Bertha. After a free information seminar, I scheduled a consultation with Dr Bertha. He was so encouraging! He spent the time to discuss my situation and unique needs and advised Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass. He put no pressure on me he but offered a path to renewed health though gastric bypass surgery. He renewed my heart with hope that life was far from being over. I did not have to settle for the poor health and limitations I was living with! I had the gastric bypass procedure one month later on August 31, 2010.
I must admit the first few days I asked myself “What did you do?”
I was never in all out pain, but I was uncomfortable, especially the first week. It is surgery, there is a recovery period. By the end of the first week I said “I can do this”. After the first month I said “I’m so glad I did this!” I lost weight very quickly. By march I was down to 170 lbs. I am still the same weight 20 months later. As soon as I had clearance, I began to exercise more vigorously again.
This past spring of 2012, I finished Shawn T’s Insanity program and I ran in the 5k Lincoln Tunnel run! I now feel like I’m 47 going on 28! Diabetes, gone! Heart troubles, gone! Sleep apnea and acid reflex gone! Even the damage to my eyes from the diabetes reversed itself!
What do I attribute this great success to?
First and foremost, God’s blessings.
Second, the finest Bariatric Doctor and medical group in the world that covered everything from insurance to support groups to nutritionist! They were there to help me with every question, and walk me through every difficulty.
Third, I followed the rules. Vitamin supplements, exercise, plenty of water and protein, eating slowly and thoroughly and not over stuffing my new stomach.
Last, I did not wait until I had done irreparable damage to my body.
The journey has had some challenges along the way. . . Nothing I wasn’t able to handle. They were also short lived. It certainly has not been a free ride. I still watch what I put in my mouth. I still must exercise good judgment and yes, sometimes I fail and give in. Dumping syndrome takes care of those moments quite effectively!
I am eternally grateful to Dr. Bertha for the happy and healthy life I had almost gave up on.