Mary Ann
Down 120 pounds with the Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass
For me the decision to have Weight Loss Surgery wasn’t a fast one. It was a series of things that built up until I just couldn’t take it anymore. I had been overweight my entire life, and now, I was a 43-year-old wife, mom, and teacher who woke up every morning and struggled to get through the day. By that point, I was over 100 pounds overweight. I had high blood pressure. I had severe asthma and needed to use an inhaler several times a day. I couldn’t sleep for more than a few hours at a time without chronic knee, hip, and back pain waking me up. I started to use a cane more often than not and walked with a severe limp. I needed a knee replacement desperately, but my doctor was hesitant to do it due to my age and weight. Most importantly, I had a beautiful family who I just couldn’t keep up with. I tried every fad diet out there. You name it, I tried it. The only thing I permanently lost was all the money I spent on these programs!
After doing my research, I found St Luke’s and the amazing Dr. Claros. After meeting with the team, I decided that if I wanted to live past 50, I needed to make a major lifestyle change and this was the tool I needed to do it. I had RNY on December 13, 2010. I’ve lost approximately 120 pounds from my highest weight, and 4 and half years later, I’m happy to say that I’ve maintained that loss to within 10 pounds. Finally, I am living the life I’ve always wanted to live. I watch what I eat, I am a devout yogi, I still have my original knees, I am active, I am happy, but most importantly, I AM HEALTHY!
One thing that stands out to me is that 2 years after my surgery, my doctor found a lump on my thyroid. I was diagnosed with Stage 2 papillary carcinoma: Thyroid cancer. My doctor told me that if I hadn’t lost the weight, they most likely would not have found that lump until the cancer was much farther along, so when I tell you this surgery saved my life, I literally mean it.
I’ve made this a lifestyle change and used this tool… this gift given to me to the best of my ability and although there have been bumps in the road, the only thing I would change is that I wish I had done this sooner!
