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IS THIS SURGERY SAFE?

Well, for myself that wasn't what was running through my mind 4 years ago.
I underwent this procedure in April 2003, I had, at that time, been jumping through hoops to accomplish that day for over 2 years. I had undergone many tests both physical and psychological, 2 doctors, 4 different insurance companies, neigh saying family and friends (who always meant well), and any one else who felt I needed their opinion on the subject.

For myself this was something I had known would work for me since childhood. I grew up in a rural town with fewer people than livestock, no real economic outlook or educational advantages available to the masses, where hard, honest work was more prevalent than a high school diploma, and eating a good meal meant clearing your plate at every meal. By the time I entered kindergarten I weighed in at 60 lbs, but I was not only chubby but muscular (all that means is I didn't look my size ,I "carried it well'), By 6th grade I was 175lbs and by my senior year I tipped out over 240. Then as a new mother, I ballooned to 308 lbs within the next 10 years. What a time that was I decided to go to college after all that time and finally took the chance to get this procedure done, Boy was I a glutton for punishment 21 credit hours that semester and surgery scheduled 3 weeks from finals. I ended up with a 3.2 GPA for that semester, It was pure determination!

Right now I weigh in between 140 to 170 lbs, I'm no longer pre-diabetic, I no longer have high blood pressure and the only remnants I have is some loose skin (I've had no further procedures) and my arthritis, a not so subtle reminder of all that weight on my joints, but over all I'm very healthy and now getting more and more active with my child and step-children(8), and I enjoy playing with all(16) of my grandchildren much more than would have ever been possible without this help.

NOW FOR MY TWO CENTS AS IT WERE
Would I do it again? Yes
Would I recommend it? Yes
Is it for everyone? No
Is it a "quick fix"? No

IS IT SAFE?
Yes, as long as you educate yourself before hand
ask your doctor /research your doctor
read books / as many as you can find
surf the web / follow the links to more information
visit a support group for over eaters or one of the many newly formed pre-op and post op gastric bypass support groups
and any other means you can think of to find out the facts and the myths of this procedure.

While all surgery has an inherent risk, in an instance such as this it's not as black and white as some people believe. The decision to have this done isn't as easy as it would seem but for those who will utilize and benefit from it I can't think of a more sound decision than to give yourself and those you love a few more good years of life (in better health).
This procedure does not fix family, marital or other social problems. Nor will it make you someone you were not meant to be. But it will help to make you healthier than you have been in a long time and give you the energy you need to help yourself to become the person you always felt you could be and much more, after all if I can do it anyone else can too.

Learn more about this author, Mildred Payne.
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