On 29 March 2005, we received the following story from Q.C.:
"I read with great interest three stories about weight reduction surgery. I had the gastric bypass surgery in 1980. I was 38 at the time and weighed 283 pounds. I am a firm believer in a positive attitude. I went into the surgery with the attitude that it was going to work!
I knew that, at the time, it was a relatively new procedure and was aware that it was very risky. That said, I flew through the surgery! I began to lose weight immediately and eventually lost over 100 pounds. I was so happy and pleased.
However, bad habits are hard to break and the stomach, being soft and pliable, will stretch. Over During the intervening years, I have managed to stretch my "little" stomach. As a result, I have had heartburn or reflux each time I overeat. I still have fluctuations in my weight--up to 243, current at 200. I have finally learned that it is more pleasant to eat in moderation than to overindulge and pay the consequences.
I have also discovered another thing that I was doing to myself. For 20 years or more, I have 2-3 diet sodas a day and ate many things that were artificially sweetened. I had also been suffering from what was diagnosed as fibromyalgia back in the 80's. I was taking pain pills several times a day: Ultram, Darvocet, Hydrocodone, etc. Five weeks ago, I cut out anything to do with artificial sweeteners, mainly aspartame. Today, I take Tylenol for my back problems (scoliosis). Nothing else. I feel better than I have felt in years. I can do things now that I thought I could never do again--bicycling and gardening! I feel wonderful."
Thank you Q.C. for sharing your story.
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