On October 25, 2005 I went into surgery weighing 237 pounds, and that was the beginning of a whole new life for me. I had been gaining weight over the past six years, and my health was in grave danger. I had diabetes, high blood pressure, polycystic ovarian syndrome and high cholesterol. I was 25 years old and had enough medical problems that would guarantee a shortened life.
How could all of this be possible? As a teen I was not overweight. I was a cheerleader, swimmer and a gymnast. Keeping my weight in check was much easier then, but once I go into my 20s I was losing the battle. I tried dieting and exercise, hoping to get a handle on my health problems. In six years, I gained 100 pounds. At 24 years old, I was depressed as well as physically ill, and I knew something needed to be done.
The turning point came when I had to go to a cardiologist because of chest pain. It was then I found out that, among my other problems, I also had an enlarged heart. With the support of my family, friends, and coworkers, I entered a program called “Balance” that would prepare me for one of the most important decisions I would ever make. Six months later, I was attending a seminar on the Scottsdale Bariatric program. Empowered with information, I made the decision to have the gastric bypass.
On August 23, 2006 I reached my goal weight of 120 pounds. I feel like a new person. I’m a massage therapist at “Essential Touch” at Scottsdale Healthcare, and I never realized how my health was interfering with my job. My knees ached, my feet were swollen at the end of the day, and I was physically exhausted when I came home from work.
Now that it’s the opposite, I feel like I have endless energy. I used to wake up in the morning not knowing how I would make it through the day. Now I have the energy of a 26-year-old, and that is how it should be. I rollerblade and work out five days a week—something I always enjoyed doing but had to give up because of my health.
Thanks to the program at Scottsdale Bariatric Center and the wonderful doctors and staff, I now have my life back. I no longer have diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, nor do I take medication for these conditions.
Thanks to the program at Scottsdale Bariatric Center and the wonderful doctors and staff, I now have my life back. I no longer have diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, nor do I take medication for these conditions.
The health and medical information presented on this web site is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical care. If you have a medical question about any of this information, please consult your family doctor or a health care professional. Every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information presented on this web site. The Scottsdale Bariatric Center makes no guarantee or promise, express or implied, as to the accuracy or reliability of the information presented. This information is subject to change without notice and cannot be guaranteed to be current.