annjillian
well, i will try to keep this short and simple. ive been on this site now on and off since 2011. that was the year i first seriously considered WLS to help me get rid of this weight that is literally suffocating and killing me. on top of the common symptoms that are associated with weight issues, i was born with Spina Bifida and i also recently was diagnosed with a Chiari Malformation one. which in english means my spinal chord is tethered and pulling my brian through the base of my skull slowly over time due to movement and stress on the spinal chord which is caused simply by being overweight. early this year in June i underwent an experimental surgery. i became the 15th person in the world to have the surgery therefor i will forever be a part of a nationwide case study for future and long term success rates for the procedure. long story short they removed a vertebra from my spine shaved 80% of a second vertebra and then fused it with the underlying vertebra with titanium rods and screws. a month into my recovery, my incision burst open due to a spinal abscess that had been apparently growing since my surgery. so i then spent the next month at home with a picc line and IV medication twice daily. oh and the kicker out of all of this lovely drama...i had NO appetite what so ever...yet due to the medication i have been placed on... i have gained nearly 50 pounds since surgery! 50 FLIPPEN POUNDS! with out even eating! it is sick it has made me so depressed...i have yet to return to work im still in physical therapy...anyway back to the main point..so after i went through all of this to try and get better, i discussed the option of WLS to my neurosurgeon, my PCP, and i met with a Bariatric Surgeon as well to see what they all thought. they were all more than supportive! they each wrote a letter on my behalf to send to my insurance because this surgery is not part of my benefits...so im currently waiting to hear back from the appeals department...worst case senario i will keep working on my dieting until the start of next year when i can get better insurance and then i will proceed with my plans! i have literally come so far this past year for my physical health that this WLS is my finish line and after i cross it i imagine these giant beautiful wooden doors waiting for me to open them wide leading me into the new life ive worked so hard for. i can honestly say for the first time in my life that i DESERVE that new life! i deserve that happiness that is right out of reach! i wont give up i have come to far! i have an amazing mother who supports me 120% she herself had the RNY surgery and it gave her a new lease on life she had already had 2 heart attacks by the time she underwent the surgery. it saved her and i am so thankful for that because i wouldnt be here, able to reach my goals without her support and strength! i just cant wait to embark on this journey!! im hoping to make some great support friends and get to oknow all the stories of everyone! i love that this community is available!
