Sandy: 100 lbs. Weight Loss

My name is Sandy. I am 46 years old. I am 5’8″ tall. My weight at its highest was 277 lbs. I have had medical issues for about 10 years now. I have had disc degeneration in my spine and have had neck surgery and lower back surgery to remove discs and the stenosis so it would relieve the pressure, so I could do daily tasks. After seeing a variety of doctors, I was finally diagnosed with Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS) around Christmas of 2008. I know there is no cure for it but I take life one day at a time with a smile on my face.

After my diagnosis, I decided that I needed too loose weight, so that if I ever became wheelchair bound, my caregiver would not have trouble lifting me out of my chair, etc. My husband had gastric bypass surgery in September of 2008, and had lost his weight quickly, so I knew I wanted to proceed with this.

On April 28, 2009 I had my gastric bypass surgery. I have lost almost 100 lbs. It is fun to finally fit into clothes that I have not fit into since I was married and started having kids (25 years ago). It is so nice when you see people that you haven’t seen for a while and they have to take a double take to see if it is you.

It has not helped my disease any, but just getting the weight off, I don’t breathe hard anymore, I know that my future will be better and now I will be able to be lifted in and out of my chair or bed (if it ever comes to that).