The before picture was taken in January 2006 (not at my highest weight) and this is my one and only family picture that I am in. I avoided all cameras and had no full-length mirrors in my home. I started gaining weight in 1991 and then after the birth of my son in 1992 I really packed on the pounds. It is difficult for me to put into words how I felt. No one of healthy weight will ever begin to know what it felt like to be a person of size. If you are reading this you probably experience the same rejections, disgusted looks, and discrimination that I once experienced.
In 2006 my health was deteriorating. I suffered with depression, social anxiety, constant aches & pains, shortness of breath, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, pains in my chest, skin rashes, foot pain and acid reflux. I was not able to sit comfortably and usually spent most of my time in bed. My entire family suffered because of my illness.
I tried about every diet out there and managed to loose about 15-20 lbs on them and then gained it all back plus more! I felt like a failure and gave up on myself. In the late part of 2006 I hit my highest weight of 324 lbs. My family and friends were concerned. A good friend of mine who is a nurse asked me to attend a meeting with her and I accepted not knowing what this was about. I had never considered surgery because I had so many fears about it. Attending the meeting changed my life and for the first time I had some hope that I would become a happy and healthy woman again.
I researched every doctor, hospital and surgical center in Columbus Ohio and the surrounding communities. After speaking with my personal physician, meeting with multiple bariatric surgeons and doing a lot of research on the Internet I finally found Dr. Stephan R. Myers, MD, FACS with Fresh Start Bariatric at Riverside Hospital. When he spoke at the meeting I was moved to hear why he has chosen this career in helping persons of size. His compassion and dedication to his profession moved me deeply and I decided to move forward with him. I have never had such a complete physical in my life. Everything was explained to me and all of the many questions I had were answered. My health was his number one concern and I felt very comfortable with him and the surgery.
The entire Fresh Start Bariatric program is set up to obtain success! The nutritionist, trainers, nurses, Psychologists, administrative staff and Dr. Myers were all dedicated to help me succeed. I went through many emotions before the surgery. I learned from Dr. Tell and Dr. Goldberg about my relationship with food and how to change bad habits. I learned from the nutritionist how to make healthy choices. All of the nurses were there to support me before, during and after my surgery.
I was reborn in June of 2007 when I had my surgery. It was difficult at first learning and adapting to my new lifestyle. I soon began to notice the baggy clothes and the increased energy. I had a tragic event in my life occur about two weeks after my release from the hospital following my Gastric by-pass surgery when my 34 year old brother was killed in a tragic accident. He was on life support for five days and I spent a lot of my time at the hospital with him. I was not following the proper nutrition guidelines and became dehydrated and ill. I was put back into the hospital to re-hydrate my body. It was a difficult time for me but I realized how precious life is and how I wasted so much of my life suffering because of my weight. I decided that my life and quality of life was going to be the best possible. I wanted to make sure I was around for my family and my brother’s small children. Dr. Myers and his team got me re-focused and back on track!
I started seeing my size 30 go to a 28,26, 24, 18, 16, 14, 12, 10, 8 and now I am almost a size 6 and weigh 136 lbs! I can’t put into words how I feel. My weight loss has made me closer to my family, given me confidence in myself, improved my health and personal and professional life has greatly improved.
I will never have to deal with the physical limitations and think about all of the things I missed and the waste of time. I have a lot of making up of time to do!
I committed myself to follow the workout routine and to set high personal goals. I worked out faithfully and eat to give my body nutrition. I used all of the information that I learned during my pre-op counseling.
I worked closely with the Fresh Start Team. I walked my first 5K in May, I ran my second 5K in August and I am currently training for a ½ marathon in May of 2009 (13 miles).
I can now fly in an airplane, ride on roller coasters, wear my swim suit in public, dance, run, sit comfortably, shop for clothes at any store, cross my legs, and enjoy life. The most important thing for me is that I know I am able to be there for my family.
I could tell people so many sad things that my weight had affected me with, but I am sure they will be very similar to other persons of size. I focus on the positive things in live and I am living my life for the first time!
Dr. Myers and his team saved my life and I can’t even put into words how grateful I am to all of them!
Dr. Myers, Mike, Yvonne, Annie, Rosa, Dr. Tell, Dr. Goldberg, Susie & Cheri – Thank you so very much for helping me get my life back! I appreciate your support, compassion, dedication, love and encouragement that are always ongoing!
Keep doing what you are doing and making differences in so many peoples lives, as you are all true heroes!
– Molly Singer
Posted by OhioHealth on 2009-07-14 18:23:04
Tagged: , ohiohalth , fresh start bariatrics , bariatric surgery , weight loss
