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I want to offer a special thanks to DeAnn
Cornwell for sharing her success with us. Her before picture was
before her surgery on July 21st, 2008. Her after picture
was taken only nine months later. She has now lost a total of 100
pounds. Here is her story:
In 2006 when
my neurologist said I had to have gastric bypass surgery, I weighed
my heaviest, 297 pounds. I was humiliated, felt hopeless and in
great pain both physically and emotionally. I remember crying,
thinking he doesn't care and just wants me to feel bad. I thought;
‘He can't be serious. I can't be that overweight. I surely have
some other options. I can't do surgery. There has to be another
way!’
I remember
reading my medical records I had obtained for an appointment with a
specialist and seeing "Morbid Obesity.” I thought; ‘What? Are they
serious? How can they be so cold?’ In that feeling of shame, I
made a commitment to myself to do whatever it took to lose weight.
I was
determined that gastric bypass surgery was not the road for me and I
was going to show him and everyone. I knew I needed to face my
problems with food, change my behavior and the long lived habit of
relying on food for comfort and as my dear friend. I believed I had
choices available to me.
Within the
week I joined Weight Watchers. I stuck with Weight Watchers for
over a year and never reached my 10%. It was extremely
frustrating. Once again the feeling of humiliation and shame
overcame me. I thought; ‘Why isn't this successful? I know people
have been successful on Weight Watchers, why can't I be?’
It was at that
time I realized I had to face the facts, bite the bullet and be
honest with myself. I took a long look in the mirror and at several
pictures. I literally looked myself in the eye and said, "DeAnn,
you are morbidly obese. You have to do something about it or you are
going to die." It was at that very second I knew I had exhausted
all my options and had been unsuccessful. That was unacceptable for
me. So I began talking to my best friend, seriously thinking about
what I was willing to do and what I was willing to give up or
modify.
I began my
many hours of research on the internet, reading many books, magazine
articles, watching actual surgeries on the internet, etc. I sat
myself down and took an honest evaluation of myself, my life and my
surmounting health issues and admitted I had exhausted every other
option. In order to save myself and live life to the fullest, I
would have to have the surgery. It was at that moment, for the
first time in many years, I truly felt hopeful about resolving my
health issues. I honestly believed this route would be the tool I
needed to love myself in the way I deserved. This was the lifestyle
option I needed to live fully and not just exist in a state of
exhaustion and routine.
Deciding on
surgery was an act of loving myself. I rarely put myself first, but
I knew I had to do something or I wouldn't have a self to put
anywhere. Since that day of decision, February 14, 2008, I have
been a more positive, up-beat, enthusiastic and confident person. I
went to a support group meeting and then an informational meeting at
Geary Community Hospital; Junction City, KS. The Innovative Weight
Loss Solutions Weight Loss Program was in charge of the meetings.
The staff was enthusiastic and helpful. Ronda is the director and
very bubby and encouraging. Pam is very sweet and knowledgeable.
She is willing to help with anything. Jennifer is the dietician and
is always there for me. All three are the best supporters of my
life. They are all enthusiastic and caring.
The surgery is
more than just a surgery. It is a tool to a new lifestyle. I have
had to not just change what I eat and how much I eat, but how I
think, what I expect, how I view food and life in general. The
surgery is not a cure for obesity. It is as I stated, just a tool.
I still have to do the work every day. I have changed my thoughts
on exercising, eating and on myself. I am a more positive, excited,
happy and confident person because of the surgery, its results and
my outlook on life. I feel great and wish I had had the surgery 3
years ago.
I have finally
figured out that support of others is a must through this journey
called “life.” You have to let others support you as much as you
have to rely on yourself. That used to be hard for me to do.
Putting myself and my health first wasn't an option or act I did
very well. Within the text of this surgery and beyond, I have
discovered the support of family, friends, co-workers, organized
groups, and sometimes strangers, is the glue that keeps the plan
together.
I had surgery
11 months ago. At one time I was taking 11 different medications
(13 pills a day). My doctor has now removed me from all but 3. One
of those I will discontinue to take in about 3 weeks. I have to
taper off of it. I now take 3 pills a day. I am no longer on blood
pressure medication. I have not used my C-Pap machine since October
30, 2008. I exercise 1 ½ - 2 hours a day 4-5 days a week. I used
to not exercise at all because it was too uncomfortable. I have so
much energy and a positive outlook. I have lost 100 pounds in 11
months. Surgery was a lifesaver.
I hope I can
be an inspiration and encouragement to those who have had surgery
and those who are trying to explore and decide on the path their
life is going to take. I’m glad my path has been improved and repaved by health and happiness. Of course I would be amiss if I
didn’t credit that health and happiness to the one who provides
everything and sustains me—God!
If you want to
follow my journey from 3 days before my surgery up to the current
date, go to
www.deannsinsights.blogspot.com
DeAnn Cornwell
deekid@cox.net
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Congratulations DeAnn |
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