I was embarrassed and ashamed in 2002 when I hit bottom in my struggle with obesity.  I had been obese all of my life and was put on my first diet at the age of 8.  I was over 200 lbs. by the age of 12 and had lost and gained hundreds of pounds throughout my life!  Even so, I couldn’t believe I had found myself 41 years old, standing all of 5 feet tall and weighing over 300 lbs.  I couldn’t walk a distance of more than a few feet unassisted without my knees giving out on me.  I couldn’t breath after walking a few feet, I couldn’t stand long enough to cook dinner for my family, my blood pressure was rising, my legs painfully swelled with fluid and the list goes on an on. 

I knew I had to do something or I was going to die.  I was torn between risking death from bariatric surgery or death by obesity.  After much research, I realized that the risk of surgery definitely outweighed the risk of remaining obese!  Once I had made up my mind to have surgery, I immediately set out to find a surgeon.  I thought the hardest part was going to be getting my insurance company to approve the procedure.  That turned out to be the easy part.  After my family doctor submitted the referral and reported he recommended surgical treatment for my obesity, my insurance company approved the request.  I contacted a doctor who headed the team of bariatric surgeons at a large teaching hospital near me.  I was informed that there would be a long wait of about 18 months.  I then decided to do the unthinkable…have surgery in Mexico.  

I began to do more research on the Internet.  I started corresponding with others that had already had the procedure and those that were still seeking it.  The more research I did, the more educated I became.  I spent many, many hours at the computer and on the telephone researching different doctors.  

There was the issue of money and I felt like if I had my surgery in Mexico rather than wait for my insurance company cover it, that I would be taking away from my family.  I then figured it was better to spend the money trying to live rather than on my funeral.

 My recovery went well and I have since lost 113 lbs. Surgery not only saved my life, but also gave my family their wife and mother back.  The best decision I ever made was to decide not to sit and wait for some surgeon of my insurance company’s choosing to decide whether or not my life was worth saving.  I have not regretted my decision for 1 minute and would do it again in a heartbeat! 

I have now made it my goal and my work to help others that struggle with morbid obesity.  For the first time in my life I can say that I have the best, most fulfilling job ever!

Sandy