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The surgery was an answer to a prayer …
Almost 11 years ago, Terry says God delivered him from drugs and alcohol. Once he was clean and sober, God answered another prayer to get his spiraling weight under control. Terry had bariatric surgery in 2002 at age 34 and lost more than 220 pounds. He started at 430 pounds and now weighs 233 pounds.
"I had all kinds of health problems. I had diabetes and had to inject myself with insulin twice in the morning and twice at night. I had high blood pressure and sleep apnea. I was on an oxygen machine and CPAP machine to be able to sleep.
I work at a rehab center. I couldn’t even walk up the steps. I’d be out of breath before I got there. I’d fall asleep in staff meetings and I wouldn’t even realize it. I almost went blind due to diabetes complications, and I didn’t even know I had diabetes until a vein burst in my leg. I had to wear special socks for blood circulation.
One night I was unable to sleep and watching TV a bariatric surgery commercial came on. I had tried all kinds of dieting. I couldn’t control my eating and lose weight. I wrote the number down and decided to call. First, I talked to my doctor and asked him about the surgery. He knew my health was in bad shape. He suggested I look into it.
I scheduled an interview at St.Vincent to see if I was eligible to have the surgery. My doctor faxed my health information. It took more than four months to get it approved, and I was impatient. There were several evaluations to go through, and I had to learn a lot about the surgery and how things would change.
The surgery went well. It was a big change, and your body has to adapt. At first I wondered what I did to myself. I had to adapt to a new way of eating. I was on a iquid diet for six or seven months. That was the hardest part for me. After time passed, I started eating more solids. My nutritionist helps me determine what I can eat.
They took wonderful care of me. I was in the hospital for about a week or two. The recovery was difficult, because I had to adapt to all the changes. But I realized I had to do this for me. I had to stick to it.
Now all my health problems have been alleviated. The only medicine I take is vitamins. I exercise regularly. I use a treadmill, bike and weights. I do aerobics and jog. It’s wonderful.
My eating habits are totally changed. I’m still limited, but I’m kind of glad I am. I try not to eat fatty foods. I’m not indulging any more. I can’t eat a big meal all at once. I can eat ¼ to ½ a plate of food. Then several hours later, I can have a little more.
There have been wonderful changes in my life. My health is better. I’ve been sober for 11 years as of January 2004. It’s a blessing. I have God in my life. I go to church. I work at a rehab center and help others who have gone through what I’ve gone through. I can warn others about overeating or using drugs and alcohol. I feel like the surgery was an answer to a prayer.
If my life depended on it—and it did—I would do it again. I get great comments from others. They say, “You look so good.” My boss and other staff members say, “You look great, you lost all that weight.” I’ve also gained self-confidence.
I feel like I now have a long life ahead of me. My energy is up. I’m not limited. I enjoy exercising and going to the movies. I’m now in a relationship.
I kept my faith. I pray. I feel like I’m blessed. God delivered me from drugs and alcohol and from the overeating and weight problems. It’s another way God has blessed me."
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