In Our Own Words

I have been obese all my life, but I thought I was reasonably healthy. I tried every diet you can name, lost weight and, eventually, gained it all back, plus some. Every time! As I got into my late 40s I developed high blood pressure and have been trying to deal with that, using three prescriptions, dieting and exercising for the last few years. I take a prescription for the arthritis I have throughout my body, which gives me a great deal of pain in my weight-bearing joints and prevents me from exercising most days.

 

I need surgery on my ankle. I have chronic lower back pain since a bad sprain two years ago. I won’t heal properly because of my weight. I have sleep apnea and use a CPAP machine. I am a bordering diabetic and most of my immediate family members have type II diabetes. I take a prescription for this also. Due to yo-yo dieting, I lost my gall bladder in 1988.

To sum it up, I need this surgery for my health...to save my life! To be able to life a life worth living without having to take five different prescriptions, all of which I have been told I won’t need anymore after the surgery. I had my first consult with Dr. Amson in Oct. 2003, a second visit in Feb. 2004 and I will have my 3rd visit Aug. 12, 2004. I hope by the time my turn comes up I will be healthy enough for the surgery. If not, I feel my life will be over, for who would want to go on living like this?