FEATURED DISPARITY
Obesity
THREE WOMEN:THREE RESULTS
by HATTIE HAMILTON
Danielle Cobbins
My weight started to climb after high school, but I didn't get to my heaviest weight until after the birth of my daughter 2 years ago. After she was born I was still left with 75 lbs to lose. At first I figured that's it, I am just over weight it runs in the family. But my back hurt so much I just had to figure out a way to get the weight off without surgery. Both my sisters had surgery to lose weight but for me that route was not an option. So I decided to do an old fashion cut back. I just ate half of what I had been eating and I lost weight. I really didn't change much in my diet I just ate half. When I go out with friends we share a meal. It saves calories and money too!
Noelle Doyle
I can honestly say that I have been on a diet for most of my life. My very first diet was at the age of five. I had some successes with weight loss over the years but I had the hardest time keeping the weight off. I tried everything even over the counter diet pills. I felt that I was just getting heavier and heavier.
I was diagnosed with diabetes at 35 years of age and soon after I learned I had high blood pressure. I was told my knees were that of a fifty year old, I was only forty.
After a life long battle with my weight I decided to consider weight loss surgery. Believe it or not it was a 5 year decision. I would start the program for weight loss surgery and I would lose weight while in the program and then drop out. The last time I went back to be considered for the gastric bypass, my doctor wanted to know if I was “ready this time” it was 2010 and I was ready. I had watched my sister's health improve with the lap band so I made the decision to get better too. It has only been 9 months since the surgery and I have lost 100lbs! My knees feel great, my blood pressure is normal and my diabetes is under control. I don't regret waiting until I was really "ready" because it is truly a life style change. I now think of food as fuel to power up my body.
We discussed the Lap Ban Surgery and in 2005 I moved forward with the surgery. It was a life style change to say the least, soup was the easiest food to digest. e discussed the Lap Ban Surgery and in 2005 I moved forward with the surgery. It was a life style change to say the least, soup was the easiest food to digest.
My experience with the Lap Ban helped my sister after her surgery because although it was two different procedures she was able to gain insight from me when it came to managing her eating. We are one another’s support we are sisters, we are friends. As of today I’ve lost 75lbs and managed to keep the weight off for 5 years! My knees are much better and I no longer need a cane to walk. I truly believe that my success with the Lap Ban helped my sister to make the decision to have Gastric Bypass Surgery and possibly add years to her life.
Monique Oliver
Unlike my sister I didn't have a problem with my weight as a child. My first major diet was in my senior year of high school. Up until that time I managed to keep my weight down until the birth of my forth child. I tried and tried to lose the “baby weight” but was unsuccessful. I didn't suffer with diabetes or high blood pressure like my sister did, but my knees were in pretty bad shape. At some point in time I started using a cane and eventually showed up at my doctor’s office using this “assistive device” as it is often referred to by doctors and other providers.
I also incorporated exercise in my everyday life. Since I work at the post office I used the lifting and moving of mail to work off fat. I looked odd but the movements (deep knee bends and lunges) really helped. I've lost the 73 lbs in 2 years. I feel that you just have to pick the method to lose weight that works for you and just do it! It doesn’t matter what method you choose just choose to lose!!
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