I don’t really believe in luck, well I don’t believe I have any luck…except bad luck.
But if you asked me for a lucky number, I’m going to say 7. I just like that number. I’m #7 in my family, born in 1977.
Today I’m 7 years post-op RNY gastric bypass surgery and I am lucky to be alive.
I sometimes have to remind myself of that.
Yesterday, I found myself questioning if surgery was worth having. There I was once again having a diagnostic test, my 5th upper GI in 7 years, and I thought “is this what my future will be? How many tests will I need during my life to check for possible complications of surgery?” Then I went to an appointment with a friend who has lost over 150lbs on his own. The receptionist in the office asked him if he had “the surgery” and he replied, “No, my insurance wouldn’t cover it, so I did it the old fashioned way”. I razzed him a bit about saying that, but honestly it doesn’t bother me because everyone is different.
But it did make me think more about if having weight loss surgery was worth it. And the answer is had I not had surgery and lost the weight I did, when I did, I wouldn’t be here typing this right now. The mini-stroke I had in 2004 would have been a full blown stroke and I would have died in my small town hospital. I have many medical issues and only a few have been a result of surgery.
Sarah, I have just recently found your website and read your story. So thankful for it. I have recently been diagnosed with lipedema and lymphedema. This diagnosis after many years of wondering what is wrong with my legs, why can’t I loose weight in my legs, and now faced with very impaired mobility. I am 56 years old and have worked as a nurse (33 years) until last year when the edema in my legsand feet caused neuropathy in my feet. For at least the last 9 years I did not work one shift without severe pain in my legs and feet. I continued to work until I was now able to even tolerate shoes on my feet nor could I fit in them. I had asked 2 of my Drs about lipedema from information on the internet and was told yes I know what it is but don’t know anything about it. Finally after my insistence the Dr sent me to lymphedema clinic. The occupational therapist took one look at me and said you have lipedema and lymphedema. Since 2005 I have been seeing a vascular surgeon . I have had vein closures that reopened and initially had no edema in my feet. Now the complications are many. I have just about finished decongestive therapy and I am hopeful to regain some mobility. Thank you for sharing your story! You are encouraging to say the very least. Susan