Donita A Valerius
New Member
Hi, I'm new and wanted to share my story. I'm 44 years old and female. I am overweight but I'm only 200lbs. 5'4". I barely meet the requirements for surgery but I suffer greatly everyday. I've had health problems since I was 21yrs old. I was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2006 and again in 2014 which both times required surgery. I've also had multiple other surgeries for other problems. During one of these surgeries the nerves to the right side of my abdomen were cut and I lost function of them. Over the years the muscle has died and I now have a huge bulge from it that causes a lot of pain and discomfort. And, because I don't have the muscle, a lot of back pain. I also have osteoarthritis throughout my whole body. Right now I sleep in a recliner because laying in a bed causes too much pain. I cant exercise or even walk long distances. I cant even stand for very long or sit without back support. I have smoked my whole life and lived a very unhealthy lifestyle. I met with a surgeon and he says that gastric bypass would make a big difference for me. I will have to quit smoking before he will do it, which I want to do anyway, and I'm scared of the dietary changes. I have reflux really bad, they say this will help that also... I also have irritable bowel syndrome, not sure how that figures in... I also have sleep apnea which the surgery will help... I've never been able to digest dairy products and I live on carbs and sugar... this whole procedure scares me half to death. I already have so many limitations, is this going to help those or just add to them? I don't know what to do... any advice or information is welcome... and also questions...
