The last week of October, 2000, I slipped into a coma. I had a reaction to Morphine.  The doctors told my husband to prepare for a funeral because I was not going to make it.  I was in this coma for a week but God wasn't ready for me yet because I'm alive today.  At the time I weighed 344 pounds.  After coming out of the coma, I was put on oxygen.  I was already on medication for blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis and cholesterol.

My primary care doctor was excellent but his advice was to lose weight or I was going to die an early death.  But, he also knew that I had great difficulty losing weight. I couldn't exercise because I couldn't breathe.

I saw an advertisement in 2002 for laparoscopic Roux-En-Y gastric bypass surgery. After researching it I knew this was for me!  I approached my primary care doctor about it and he was honest with me. He didn't know much about it but promised to research it and see if he could recommend it for me.

When I went back the next time he said that from what he had read, if I could find a surgeon willing to take the chance on me that he would support me.

I contacted the NewStart program in St Louis, MO, and went through all the hoops for them.  In February, 2004, I was approved for weight loss surgery.  My surgery was on April 7, 2004, and I weighed 315 pounds.  I've had no problems whatsoever and less than a year later, I weigh 196 pounds.  I've still got a little way to go to reach the goal I've set for myself, but I'm confident I will make it.

By the way, I'm no longer on any medication nor am I on oxygen!  I'm a new woman!

Dianne Daugherty
iamladybug711@hotmail.com

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