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Jane Ann B
Surgery: Laparoscopic
Roux en y Gastric Bypass
Surgery Date: 4/18/2006
Preop Weight: 283lb
BMI 41
Date of Post op
picture: 8-07
Postop Weight: 153lb
BMI 22
- How
has your life changed since weight loss surgery?
My life has changed in many ways. My self
esteem has increased tremendously. I feel so much better and I know that I look
better. I don’t mind looking in the mirror now. Food isn’t such a big deal
anymore. I now eat because I need to, not because I want to. I’m still amazed
at the fact of how little food it takes to fill me up.
- How
has your health changed?
I am so much healthier now than before just
for the simple fact that I’m not carrying around all that extra weight.
- What
is the biggest difference in your activity?
My activity level has changed so much it is
difficult to say what the biggest difference is. I have so much more energy
now. I walk outside very day for at least 30 minutes. I can sit on the floor
and don’t have to crawl over to the couch to hoist myself up anymore. I can go
up several flights of stairs without getting winded, when before my surgery I
couldn’t even go up one flight of stairs without getting out of breath. I enjoy
working out in the yard and am able to do so for long periods of time now
without having to go in and rest.
- Most
profound moment since weight loss surgery?
There have been many profound moments
during this journey. Before surgery I couldn’t wear my wedding rings because
they were too small. Now I have to wear a spacer so they will stay on. I guess
it’s time to go have them resized. I can also wear several rings that I haven’t
worn since college!
I guess the most profound thing is that I
now wear a size 8-10 pant and a medium top. Considering I started out wearing a
tight 24 pant and a 3X top that’s a pretty significant “WOW”.
- What
medical problems have improved or resolved since weight loss surgery?
I no longer take blood pressure medication
which is a big “Wow moment” for me. I really hated it when I had to start
taking it. My blood sugar and cholesterol levels are in the normal range and I
don’t snore anymore.
- How
have others reacted to your change?
Most of my friends have always known me as
a heavy person. They are all very proud of me and can’t believe how different I
look.
My husband and I have had some funny
experiences while out shopping. We’ve seen people we haven’t’ seen in a long
time and when I say “hi” they smile and look at me like “who are you?” Then
they see my husband and they get this funny look on their face like, “who is
this woman you’re out with?” They can’t believe it’s me. We get a big kick out
of it.
It really blows my mind when people call me
“skinny”. I started a new job and none of my coworkers knew me when I was fat.
They can’t believe it when I show them my before picture.
My
family is very supportive. I was not a stranger to gastric bypass surgery. My
sister and three of her daughters have also had the surgery. And now my husband
has joined us. He had surgery in June of this year. Between the six of us we
have lost over 600 lbs.
- Additional
notes about your weight loss experience?
I plan on retiring in about 10 years.
Before my surgery I really couldn’t visualize my retirement. But now I see us
traveling and sight-seeing and doing all sorts of fun and exciting things. We
are expecting our first grandchild in October and I can’t wait!
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