My name is Debbie Holmstrom. I am 51 years old and I have always had a weight problem.  I have known no other lifestyle.

I was to the point in my life that I had gone to the doctor totally depressed about my weight and the way I was feeling.  I had begun walking with a cane, because it took every effort to just walk across the room. I hurt all over.  I always felt bad.  The doctor looked me right in the eyes and said, “You know you probably will not live to see your 52^nd  birthday.”  My heart jumped into my throat.  At that time I was 49.  I had tried every diet and program around with no permanent success.  I would lose 50 pounds and gain 70. Lose 100 and gain 120.   Something had to be done.

I joined a water aerobics class and overheard a very pretty lady talking about how she had “already lost 75 pounds.”  She was talking about her gastric bypass surgery.  I was curious so I asked her all about it.  She said that it was the best thing she had ever done and would do it again in a heartbeat!  That sounded like an answered prayer to me.  I researched the doctor and found that I had complete trust in him and that was all I needed.

I had my surgery on Aug. 15, 2002. I checked in at 338 pounds. and wearing a size 30/32.  I am 5’5.  A year and a half later I weighed 155 pounds and wear a size 8/10.  Today, I go up and down from 155 to 160.   My husband who has always been overweight saw what a difference in my life the surgery was making.  He saw that:

I got off of so many medicines!

I can now walk across the room or walk 3 miles at a time and without getting out of breath!

I can fit in an airplane seat with no extensions! And I can go to the movie theater and
sit in only one seat.

I shop in the “normal size” clothes department, although I still grab the large sizes and have to put them back. It has taken two years to finally see the real me in the mirror, and I love it!

I have met so many wonderful friends through the water aerobics class and the monthly meetings my doctor provides.

 I can cross my legs!

I can easily go into a bathroom stall and not have to stand way back just to close the stall door!!!

I can fit into a booth when we go out to eat!

I can go out to eat without worrying about people and kids staring at me saying
“look at her, she’s so FAT!”

Men hold the elevator doors open for ME!

And just last week, at the “McDonald’s” the little clerk at the counter asked if I was a model!  I looked around to see who she was talking to, and she said, “Are YOU a model?” I said “No, but you just made me feel like a million dollars!”

My husband, Fred, decided to have the surgery.  He had his gastric bypass RNY surgery on Oct. 17, 2003.   He weighed 360 pounds at the time of his surgery.   He was wearing 5X clothes.  He is 5’10”.  He will be 66 this year and is down to 220 pounds and wearing “larges”!   He still has some to lose yet, but he said he feels like a new person!   He looks wonderful! I am so very proud of him!

We will celebrate our 20^th wedding anniversary in July this year.  We are planning something really special.

This surgery not only saved our lives, but gave us a brand new life together, a healthy life.  Would we do this surgery again?  YOU BET YOUR LIFE ON IT!

Debbie Holmstrom