My name is Dawn Vickers and I too have struggled with the disease of obesity and it's complications. At age 41 I weighed 402# and had Diabetes, Hypertension, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Chronic joint pain, Major Depression and Panic Attacks. I had to take a handfull of pills everyday just to stay alive.
At my annual physical, my physician told me that I could probably expect to live to about age 55. The last 5 of which would most likely be spent in and out of the hospital on dialysis and with cardiac complications. The nurse in me had cared for these patients and seen their suffering first hand. The wife and mother in me knew that was unacceptable. I decided then and there it was time for a change. The next day I called a Bariatric Surgeon's office and made my first appointment. Little did I know it would be the call that would change my life.
On August 3, 2006, I had Lap-Band surgery with Dr. Robert Cywes and my new life began. To date, I have lost 130# and am well on my way to my goal weight. I no longer take any medicine for diabetes, hypertension or joint pain. I can walk the mall with my children and can tie my own shoes.
