Jenny and Kevin D.
My husband, Kevin, and I met in 2001 and married in 2002. We were both "package deals," bringing two children apiece with us to the marriage. Kevin and I were "big" people when we met and fell in love, and the process of blending our now large family consumed us for several years. We ran mach 5 with our hair on fire everywhere we went.
Of course McDonald's enjoyed our patronage, as did every other fast food restaurant in the Upstate. The local grocery stores also enjoyed our love of expensive convenience foods, snacks and anything that took two minutes or less to prepare. The two "big" people got even bigger. So did their children. Then the weight loss attempts began, and failed. Over and over again we tried to shed the unwanted pounds with disappointing results. The health issues began to creep in one by one. Kevin had developed diabetes, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, arthritis, and sleep apnea. I had high blood pressure, arthritis, dyslipidemia, and lumbar disc problems.
We had reached a point of complacency. We were resigned to being overweight, feeling bad physically and emotionally, and not very happy about it. We heard about the Surgical Weight Loss Program at St. Francis because I am an employee there. When I suggested we go to an information session, Kevin surprised me by agreeing. The information presented by Dr. Anderson and his team was very compelling. We felt a sense of hope we hadnt had in a long time.
The meeting was in July of 2009 and Kevin had his gastric bypass on August 17, 2009. That day, he weighed in at 354 pounds. In the six months since his surgery he has lost 90 pounds. He has his blood sugar under control for the first time since he was diagnosed with diabetes. He is no longer on insulin, and takes only oral medication now for blood sugar control. He is off of blood pressure medication and cholesterol medication. His sleep apnea is gone.
I had my gastric bypass surgery on October 12, 2009. I weighed in at 271 pounds. In the three months since my surgery I have lost close to 60 pounds. I no longer require medication for blood pressure or cholesterol. I also quit smoking in order to have the surgery, and have not started back. I didn't think I would ever find a motivator to get me to put those cigarettes down, but this proved to be the one.
Since our surgery and weight loss, we feel better than we have in years. We both have energy to exercise and go to the gym with our children three times a week. We support each other as a family and as a couple. Having this experience has brought us even closer together. Understanding what each other is going through has made it easier to give each other support.
We would highly recommend this surgery. It is a very personal decision. However, the Surgical Weight Loss team at St. Francis is beyond compare. They are supportive, compassionate, and kind. You feel like a member of a family who really cares about you. Your success is their success. I cant imagine this journey without them.
Jenny
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