I would like to answer this thread.
I am 41 and I weigh 437.2 pounds. I have been on a presurgical medically supervised diet for the last two months with 4 more months to go before I have the gastric bypass. I have lost 17.8 pounds since I started this diet.
I see the medical doctor every month and I email my food journal to the dietician every week and weigh in every Friday.
I MUST lose weight or I will die. I have an 18 yr old in the army who is being deployed to Iraq soon and I have a 19 yr old who is in graduate school.
I do NOT want to die.
I have high blood pressure, severe sleep apnea, and severe joint pain. I am barely able to walk to the kitchen in my house or to the mailbox. It is terrible.
I am going to a quilt show this weekend and must bring my wheel chair and will push it as far as I can and then sit and rest before I walk more.
I have to have a special chair when we go out to eat. I am not able to use a seat belt (even with the extension it doesn't work). I cannot buy clothes that fit me anymore.
Now...with that being said. This is what has started to happen since I started this lifestyle change:
*I can put my own bra on.
*I can shower myself
*I can dress myself
*I can walk from the car to the doctor's office without my walker
*I can wear regular shoes
*My BMI has gone down 3 points to 80
There are lots of other things too.
My diet is going great. I eat like I should eat and the dietician is thrilled with my progress. My doctor is thrilled.
That being said, I am almost ready to have the gastric bypass. I have made the mental, emotional and physical changes required that will make this procedure a success.
It is my last resort. I will have it done in the fall and I look forward to many years of life left. I will have to have major plastic surgery after the weight is gone. I have been told already that it will be covered due to the infection issues.
I feel very calm and very settled in my new lifestyle. I no longer desire those quick snacks like candy or junk food. I love how I feel eating a diet that is 2/3 plant based. I feel so much better since I have made the decision to do this.
I am working very hard for this process. It is not a snap thing.
Thank you for bringing this question to us. I am really glad I have been able to tell my story.
Thank you again.
Missy