NCatena
01-17-2007, 02:21 PM
Hi everyone!
I found out last night that some of you didn't know that I, too, am a gastric bypass patient. I am amazed, since I seem to tell EVERYONE I meet! Anyway, I thought it might be a good idea to share my story on here.
When I was a kid, I was thin. By age 15, I was RAIL thin, weighing only 97 lbs. Soon after, I began to struggle with an undiagnosable illness, and began to gain weight. After several years, and many high dose treatments with steroids, (still with no clear-cut diagnosis) I weighed in at 235 lbs. I tried every diet, diet pill, diet center, and diet guru that came my way. I continued to gain. I was finally diagnosed with chronic systmeic sarcoidosis, and was told that since steroids were the only real treatment option for me, I should probably get used to my weight. After the last round of treatment with both steroids and chemo, I was 285 lbs, and miserable.
I decided not to follow that advice.
In 2002, I began to research gastric bypass surgery and lap band surgery. I decided that gastric bypass was the better choice for me, because, although it was "permanent", so was my medical condition! I mustered up the courage to tell a friend of mine that I was seeking a doctor to perform the surgery, when she admitted to me that she was scheduled to have it done with Dr. Allam the following week!
I was so excited to hear that we had "our own doctor" right here in Southampton, and decided to take the plunge and call for an appointment. My husband came along with me, and I knew from that very first meeting that I was doing the right thing.
On June 2, 2003, I had laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery. When I woke up, the first thing I thought was, "what the heck did I do to myself?" I developed pneumonia in the hospital, and ended up staying an extra few days. When I came home, I was not feeling so great, and was quite annoyed that I couldn't eat, but the first time I stepped on the scale, I nearly fainted! I had already lost 22 lbs! In 11 days!
Once I began to see actual results, the difficulties I had seemed to vanish! I began to remind myself that I am the very first person who hears what comes out of my mouth. If I spoke negativity-I heard negativity. And NO ONE wants to listen to that all day long! I became my own coach, so to speak, and motivated myself with my words and my actions. Thank God for a supportive husband. He picked me up when I felt like I couldn't "take it" anymore. He was, and is, my greatest inspiration. I began to feel so much better, since carrying so much extra weight just made my illness that much more difficult to deal with.
A year after my bypass, and over 125 lbs thinner, I helped 2 of my 3 daughters through their own gastric bypass experiences. They, too, have each lost over 100 lbs, and have regained their self-esteem and are enjoying their lives so much more, now. A true testimony to my confidence in Dr. Allam is that I was willing to put 2 of my "babies" into his capable hands ON THE SAME DAY!
Shortly thereafter, I came to work here, so that I could help others just like me to attain their weight loss goals, and live healthier and happier lives.
So that's it-that's my story, and I'm sticking to it!
Warmest regards,
Nanette
I found out last night that some of you didn't know that I, too, am a gastric bypass patient. I am amazed, since I seem to tell EVERYONE I meet! Anyway, I thought it might be a good idea to share my story on here.
When I was a kid, I was thin. By age 15, I was RAIL thin, weighing only 97 lbs. Soon after, I began to struggle with an undiagnosable illness, and began to gain weight. After several years, and many high dose treatments with steroids, (still with no clear-cut diagnosis) I weighed in at 235 lbs. I tried every diet, diet pill, diet center, and diet guru that came my way. I continued to gain. I was finally diagnosed with chronic systmeic sarcoidosis, and was told that since steroids were the only real treatment option for me, I should probably get used to my weight. After the last round of treatment with both steroids and chemo, I was 285 lbs, and miserable.
I decided not to follow that advice.
In 2002, I began to research gastric bypass surgery and lap band surgery. I decided that gastric bypass was the better choice for me, because, although it was "permanent", so was my medical condition! I mustered up the courage to tell a friend of mine that I was seeking a doctor to perform the surgery, when she admitted to me that she was scheduled to have it done with Dr. Allam the following week!
I was so excited to hear that we had "our own doctor" right here in Southampton, and decided to take the plunge and call for an appointment. My husband came along with me, and I knew from that very first meeting that I was doing the right thing.
On June 2, 2003, I had laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery. When I woke up, the first thing I thought was, "what the heck did I do to myself?" I developed pneumonia in the hospital, and ended up staying an extra few days. When I came home, I was not feeling so great, and was quite annoyed that I couldn't eat, but the first time I stepped on the scale, I nearly fainted! I had already lost 22 lbs! In 11 days!
Once I began to see actual results, the difficulties I had seemed to vanish! I began to remind myself that I am the very first person who hears what comes out of my mouth. If I spoke negativity-I heard negativity. And NO ONE wants to listen to that all day long! I became my own coach, so to speak, and motivated myself with my words and my actions. Thank God for a supportive husband. He picked me up when I felt like I couldn't "take it" anymore. He was, and is, my greatest inspiration. I began to feel so much better, since carrying so much extra weight just made my illness that much more difficult to deal with.
A year after my bypass, and over 125 lbs thinner, I helped 2 of my 3 daughters through their own gastric bypass experiences. They, too, have each lost over 100 lbs, and have regained their self-esteem and are enjoying their lives so much more, now. A true testimony to my confidence in Dr. Allam is that I was willing to put 2 of my "babies" into his capable hands ON THE SAME DAY!
Shortly thereafter, I came to work here, so that I could help others just like me to attain their weight loss goals, and live healthier and happier lives.
So that's it-that's my story, and I'm sticking to it!
Warmest regards,
Nanette