I'd love to tell you there was a defining moment when I ... everything in me to
make that call to go to an informational seminar. When I hung ... I can walk
without constant pain in my knee. (I didn't have ... It doesn't make you thin. It
doesn't make ...
What a Long Strange Trip it’s Been MaryAnn Green RNY gastric bypass patient, 12/13/2010
I’d love to tell you there was a defining moment when I decided to have weight loss surgery, but for me, it was a series of things that built up until I just couldn’t take it anymore. My first diet was when I was 10 years old. I remember the school nurse putting me on a diet and I had to go to her once a week to “weigh in.” That was 5th grade—I actually weighed more then than I do now! It was humiliating. I lost a few pounds and then proceeded to put it back on, plus a few more. Thus began the vicious cycle of weight loss and regain that would become my life. Physicians Weight Loss®, Jenny Craig®, Weight Watchers®, The Grapefruit Diet®, diet pills. You name it, I tried it. The only thing I permanently lost was all the money I spent on these programs! I was terrified of weight loss surgery. I’d heard all of the horror stories. I even looked into it a few years ago, only to feel so uncomfortable with the doctor I went to see that I backed out halfway through the pre-certification process. After a few more half-hearted attempts at weight loss, I was ready to throw in the towel. I was a 43-year-old wife, mom and teacher who woke up every morning and struggled to get through the day, sometimes one minute at a time. 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, (my husband, son and three awesome rescue dogs) who I just couldn’t keep up with. Many mornings, I didn’t even want to get out of bed. I couldn’t believe that this is what my life was going to be, if I even lived that much longer. I never shared this with anyone—not my
“What a Long Strange Trip it’s Been” by MaryAnn Green, RNY gastric bypass patient
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family, not my closest friends. I just pasted on a smile and went through the motions. No one knew I was slowly dying inside. I don’t know what prompted me to do a web search for weight loss surgery, but I did. I saw the St. Luke’s page, read about the surgeons and the team, and it took everything in me to make that call to go to an informational seminar. When I hung up the phone, I cried. I don’t know if it was relief, fear, or a little of both, but this time, I was determined that this was it. I was ready to break out of this prison that my body had become. I showed up at the meeting and the craziest thing happened: I saw a friend who I not only went to high school with, but we worked at the same place! What in the world was she doing here? We sat next to each other and talked about our struggles. We listened to Terri Davis, Dr. Claros, and a few patients, and asked a ton of questions. When that meeting ended, I was more determined than ever that this was meant to be and it was finally time for me to know what it was like to be healthy. I made my appointment and I’ve never looked back! I had an RNY gastric bypass with Dr. Claros on December 13, 2010. It was my rebirthday. I've lost 103 pounds and 68-plus inches; I've gone from a tight size 22 to a size 4/6. I'm off blood pressure medication. I can walk without constant pain in my knee. (I didn't have to have it replaced this summer! I will eventually—just not right now!) I’m doing a 5K in the fall! I rarely use my asthma medication. I can sleep for more than an hour at time without pain waking me up. I fit in seats at public places! I don't cringe when we have to sit in a booth. I'm not worried about people staring at me when I eat in public. You get the picture. This summer, for the first time in my life, I went on vacation at a healthy weight. I can’t even tell you how incredible it was! I walked every day. I walked on the beach. I walked on the boardwalk. I walked through the town... We went on a tiny little speedboat – something I would NEVER have done pre-surgery! For the first time ever, our vacation didn’t revolve around food! It revolved around activities, laughter and fun. I wouldn’t trade that for anything in the world! I've learned a few things about the tool Dr. Claros gave me: It's just that, a tool. It's not magic. It doesn't suddenly make life worth living; it doesn't automatically change your relationship/addiction to food. It doesn't make you exercise. It doesn't make you suddenly like vegetables, protein powder, Splenda®, and a carb-less life. It doesn't make you thin. It doesn't make you stop drinking alcohol or eating sugary or high fat foods. It doesn't make you healthy. YOU do all of that IF you choose to do all of that. If you don't choose to do all of that, it's your choice. But a wise man once said, "If you continue to do the same thing and expect a different “What a Long Strange Trip it’s Been” by MaryAnn Green, RNY gastric bypass patient
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result, it's called insanity.” (Or something along those lines!) It's a choice, and no one can make it but you. I still have a love affair with food, but now the affair has taken a different direction. I can't eat the same things I ate before. I don't really dump and sugar isn't a problem, BUT one bite more than I should have and I'm down for the count for about 30 minutes. I know my limits. I learned them early and try to listen to my body. I don't always succeed and I'm still learning that there are things I loved and cooked a lot of that I just can't eat anymore. It's forced me to become creative with our family meals. For the first time in 44 years, I am living the life I’ve always wanted to live. I am active. I am happy. I AM HEALTHY! Thank you’s are due to quite a few people: I couldn’t have done this without Dr. Claros and the entire St. Luke’s Bariatric team. I couldn't have done this without your immense support. I say, with the utmost certainty, that the support offered here at St. Luke’s is THE BEST. It is an invaluable tool and I can’t imagine not having my new “family!” Thank you to my friends— new and old—who have helped me more than you know on this journey. December 13, 2010. The first day of the rest of my life! What a long, strange trip it's been!
“What a Long Strange Trip it’s Been” by MaryAnn Green, RNY gastric bypass patient
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