Heather G.

On January 18, 1982, I was born an 8lb 10 oz baby girl.  So when I say I have been heavy my entire life, it’s the truth.  I went thru my childhood being made fun of for being overweight.  That is debilitating to a child.  I always hid my feelings with food.Fast forward 15 years…  When I was 23, I woke up one morning unable to walk due to severe back pain.  I was taken to the hospital and placed on heavy narcotics and steroids.  I gained over 80 lbs in 1 year.    I made some very poor choices over the next few years.In 2005, I met my soul mate.  We were married on May 13, 2006.  We have two boys, oldest is 9 and youngest is 3.    When I was unable to play with my kids, I knew something needed to be done.  I went to my pain management doctor and back specialist in January of 2015.  She mentioned meeting with a doctor regarding weight loss surgery.  Weight loss surgery had never crossed my mind.  I was always the one who thought it was the “easy way out.”  I went to my first seminar in February of 2015.  I learned of the different types of surgery and that I was a perfect candidate.  In August, I began the insurance process.  I learned that I had to complete 7 months of nutritional counseling and complete several tests before being considered.In January of 2016, I started the nutritional counseling. I weighed in at a whopping 325 lbs.   I was on an 800 calorie diet over the course of the next 7 months.  I only lost 10 pounds!!  I knew I was making the right decision.January 30, 2017, was my second chance at life. I have doctor Kuldeep Singh to thank for that and God, of course.  I weighed in for surgery at 315lbs.  Dr. Singh performed the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy.  To date, I have lost 125 lbs.  I am able to cross my legs, put on my shoes with out huffing and I can play with my children.  We can do anything they want and I LOVE IT!!!   This summer we went to the carnival and I rode rides with my children!  If there was anything I could change about this journey, it would have been to have done it sooner.  It has not been easy.  I have been hospitalized a time or two.  But I thank god everyday for my new life.  I am happy, healthy and can live again.