Terrie C.
The Journey Begins
Nov 01, 2006
Here I am at 350 pounds which is not my highest weight which was 383. However, at 383 I did not let anyone take my picture. The cute guy next to me is my husband of 25 years Don.
I wrote in table form in order to provide this information to my doctors and insurance company in an easy to read format. At a later date I will provide the story behind the facts.
Like most of you it has been a long and difficult struggle. At times I became tired and wanted to give up. Still the will to be healthy keeps me fighting for a better way.
At first I thought Gastric By-Pass was "The Easy Way Out". Now I know it was the best path for me. I also know it was the hardest choice I have ever had to make. It is simply a tool to help me learn healthy habits and to allow my body to heal so I can continue the fight to take back the life this disease has been stealing from my family for years.
Weight loss history for Terrie Cashimere Jan 31, 2006.
|
1975 Age 16 |
First major weight gain |
Starting weight 145 |
Ending weight 180 |
|
1976 - 1977 |
Continued to gain and loose through exercise. |
Starting 180 |
Ending 165 |
|
1978- 1979 |
First pregnancy |
Starting 165 |
Ending 175 |
|
1979-1980 |
Gave birth |
Starting 175 |
Ending 175 |
|
1981-1982 |
Second pregnancy (miscarriage) |
Starting 175 |
Ending 185 |
|
1983 - 1984 |
Third pregnancy/gave birth |
Starting 185 |
Ending 225 |
|
1984- 1985 |
Fourth pregnancy / gave birth |
Starting 225 |
Ending 245 |
|
1985-1987 |
Gained and lost over these years. Used exercise and over the counter weight loss programs. |
Starting 245 |
Ending 280 |
|
1988-1989 |
Joined OA |
Starting 280 |
Ending 180 |
|
1990-1991 Renfrew clinic for depression and weight issues.
Depression was treated with therapy and medication. |
Ate a major amount of sugar one day and went into a major depression gained weight. Suffered injuries and found it hard to exercise. |
Starting 180 |
Ending 210 |
|
1991- 1993 |
Continued to loose and gain using exercise and weight loss program, such as Richard Simmons and Susan Powter. Continued in therapy. |
Starting 210 |
Ending 290 |
|
1994 Sierra Tucson Depression and weight issues. Depression was treated with medication and therapy. |
Continued to gain weight. Suffered physical injuries and found it very hard to exercise. Continued in therapy.
|
Starting 290 |
Ending 329 |
|
1995-1996 |
Joined Jenny Craig |
Starting 329 |
Ending 259 |
|
1996 - 1998 |
Regained all weight plus. Tried protein power, hypnosis, and exercise products.
|
Starting 259 |
Ending 340 |
|
1999-2000 |
Doctor program through Johnson City family care including Meridian, exercise, therapy, and weekly support groups. Program ending in 16 weeks. |
Starting 340 |
Ending 350 |
|
2001-2003 I am also now working with both a nutritionist and a therapist to continue to address weight and increased health issues, as well as my medical doctor. |
Continued to gain weight and medical problems increased. Blood pressure became high more and more frequent. Arthritis, knee and back problems made it hard to move at all. Exercise was almost impossible. Cholesterol rose to 382 |
Starting 350 |
Ending 383 highest weight ever.
|
|
2004-2006 |
I continue to exercise and eat well balanced meals. I am not able to exercise as needed due to medical issues such as degenerative disk disease and arthritis. At times I must stop exercising for months at a time thus leading to weight gain. Weight loss just stopped. |
Starting 383 |
Current weight 366
BMI 55.6 Super Obese |
|
April 26, 2006 |
I had surgery with Dr Cole in Horseheads, NY. I am thrilled with the outcome. I was off my blood pressure meds before I left the hospital. It has been 10 weeks and I am back at the gym. I continue to exercise and eat well balanced meals, all be it small meals, I take vitamins twice a day and eat protein bars to assure I get enough protein. I feel free from sugar for the first time ever. I have energy and feel great. |
Starting 366 |
Current weight 264 Over a 100 pound weight loss since surgery!!!
BMI 40.1 As of October 30, 2006 Extremely Obese. One more pound and I will move to just obese. |
Without the ability to exercise as needed, losing weight is slow and very difficult. At the time of this letter I was unable to receive proper x-rays or treatment due to my weight. I had the support of family, friends, my medical doctor, my therapist and my nutritionist in order to succeed with creating permanent weight loss. Without the help of surgery this success was greatly reduced due to the limitations of my body.
As you can see I have tried for years without success to control my weight. I have used medically guided nutrition plans, physical therapy and many of the over the counter diet products.
As a result of weight loss, diet, and habit changes due to surgery I no longer have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, or asthma. I am now back at the gym and feel wonderful. My surgery was April 26, 2006.
My desire to create a local support group is based on knowing how helpful others have been to me and how important it is for all of us to provide encouragement and support to one another in order to over come the disease of obesity.
