Life After Gastric Bypass Surgery

Submitted by: Alesica Smith

beautiful lei 065 model mayhem For three years I fought to get gastric bypass surgery not because I was unhappy with the way that I looked but, because my health was deteriorating at the age of 32 years old. My asthma had gotten so bad that I had to quit my job because I was in the hospital every other month. I developed arthritis in my knees and had to wear a c-pap machine in order to sleep.

I was beginning to really feel bad about myself because I couldn’t do the things that I wanted to do. I thought that having this surgery was the answer to all my problems and would get rid of my asthma and I would be able to live a little. I really became more concerned and scared when I had my first asthma attack that came close to taking my life. My then 7 year old son was my hero he found mommy passed out on the bed not breathing trying to give her self a breathing treatment that somehow didn’t work. My son sprang into 9-1-1 mode! It was a blessing that I had kept him home from school that day because he was sick. He called 9-1-1 and opened all the doors so that the paramedic’s could save his mommy. That’s when I began to worry that I might not be here long enough to take care of my kids.

Finally, In October of 2007 insurance finally cleared me to have the surgery. I was happy and relieved that after all of this I would go back to work, be healthier and best of all breathe life. I wouldn’t have to worry whether I’ll be around to see my kids grow up and have kids anymore all my fears went away so I thought they did.

So….. on my 36th Birthday I was enjoying my birthday with my family I never thought that my birthday and my death day would be the same. Well….almost can you believe after having the surgery I had yet another asthma attack that would almost kill me?. I stopped breathing and when I woke up I was in the hospital E.R.!. Here I sit today two years later after the surgery I am still unemployed since my breathing is never gonna be better but, I am smaller than my size 24-26 and fitting into a snug 14 and I sit and wonder will I still be apart of the plus size community?. Even if I correct all the horrible sagging skin that gives me everyday problems. I will never leave my curves behind and I would hope that all my friends I’ve made here and will make here will still love me curves or no curves,rolls or no rolls.

The questions….will I change? Will forget where I come from and where I’ve been? The answer is simply not ! I’ll love my curves whether they are big or small most of all I love me and I wouldn’t want to leave this world without doing so!