Hi, my name is Sheila Marie. I am 50 years old. I would like to describe myself as fun-loving, outgoing, overall someone who has a positive outlook on life. I did not begin to gain weight until my middle 20’s. All through my childhood and teens, I was always referred to as “skinny”. Sometime in my mid 20’s I started to gain weight, but didn’t notice this as worrisome; I never thought I was fat or unhealthy. However, I became addicted to food. I found relief in eating. It became my best friend. I took pleasure in cooking and entertaining, going to all the new restaurants, and trying all kinds of food. When I was happy, I ate; when I was sad, I ate. Whatever I felt—lonely, tired, angry, overwhelmed, frustrated, depressed, overjoyed—it did not matter; food would always make me feel better.

I was probably around 30 when I first realized that my relationship with food may be a problem (I realized that first before I realized that my weight and health was the real problem). I remember the day like it was yesterday when I could no longer shop in regular stores. The largest size was something like 16 or 18. I didn’t even know that there were “plus sizes” and specialty stores for larger women. It took me a long time before I surrendered to the fact that I could no longer easily walk into a boutique and pick up a outfit. I had to make special trips to special stores just to get an outfit. So I lived my 30’s and 40’s trying to accept that I was a big girl. I tried numerous attempts to lose weight. I first went to overeater anonymous. Next was Grey Sheet, a 12-step program that does not allow you to eat carbs, only protein and vegetables. I lasted maybe 2 weeks; however, I knew some people that were very successful in that program, so every 90 days or so I would give it another try. But I just kept getting bigger and bigger. I told myself as long as I am in the 200 range, I will be okay. Then I started attending the Weight Watcher meetings at work. I actually lost 17 lbs on the program, which made me ecstatic. However, I stopped going to the meeting and regained the weight, plus more. I was in my early 40’s when I first heard about weight loss surgery. I knew a few people that had gone through with it and were looking good; however, it didn’t seem like it was not for me. I told myself that if I could just train myself to eat a little bit of food, why I would need surgery. I remember calling NYU in early 2000, setting up an appointment, going to the seminar and getting information while continuing to eat myself into hypertension, borderline diabetic, arthritis in both knees, and, most of all, acid reflux. I was put on Nexium 40mg in 2002 and stayed on it for 10 years; I could not live without my little purple pill.

When I could not get below 300 lbs in 2008, I again reached out for help. I contact Dr. Gorecki’s office and set up an appointment. At that time, I remember the doctor telling me what I needed to do to qualify for the surgery, six months medical weight-loss, pretesting, upper GI series, and so forth. It was too much for me at this point in life; my self esteem was so low that I didn’t believe that I was worthy to take care of myself, I couldn’t’ or wouldn’t commit to taking care of myself. Meanwhile, my health continued to deteriorate. The years between 2010 and 2013 were the unhappiest times of my life. I separated from my husband of 20 years and found myself in a unhealthy relationship that fed my low self esteem and self-hatred. I was constantly in and out of the hospital with GI problems, swelling of the legs and ankles, depression, and painful joints.

The New Year was approaching and I was getting ready to turn 50 years old. I ran into a old friend of mine—with who I used to share “fat Jokes”—and she was at least 100 lbs smaller. She told me she had a Gastric Sleeve about 9 months ago and how wonderful she felt. She gave me her surgeon information and wished me well. I remember how loving and warm Dr. Gorecki was 5 years ago when I went to visit him. I remember my primary care doctor, who I think is the best doctor in the world, Heather Sealy, telling me that at the rate I was going I would not be around for my 50th birthday. So again I reached out for help, except this time I was ready to go to any length. Before I contacted Dr. Gorecki’s office, I started the supervisor medical weight-loss checkup with my primary care. I had already seen a dietician. The GI doctor told me that I had a very large hernia that may make it difficult to have the surgery. I was in so much pain prior to making the decision on whether or not to go through with the surgery; I was constantly throwing up and having heartburn, so frequent that I was willing to do whatever it took. So in the process of the preoperative check up (my planned day of surgery was mid April 2013, contingent with my medical clearance) I was at Methodist hospital getting my stomach and pelvic sonogram that required me to fast for 8 hours or so . I was so nausea and had very bad chest pains. The technician and I contribute my poor feelings to the fact that I did not eat anything. It was a cold, rainy day in Early February 2013; I said when I leave here I am going to have a nice hot cup of tea and soup. So I went across the street from the hospital and ordered soup and tea. But half way through eating, I became so nauseous that I started vomiting, and the pain in my chest became unbearable. I didn’t know what to do and I was still across the street from the hospital. Should I go to emergency room, or try and make it home? I went to Rite Aid and bought some Malox and drank a big gulp right in the store and immediately it came right back up. Then I got scared, I could feel something in my chest blocking anything from going down.

I walked into the Methodist Hospital Emergency Room and told them I was having a heart attack. Mind you, my whole family has heart disease: my sister had her first heart attack at 52; my mother had triple bypass twice before she was 60; my Grandfather and uncle died from massive heart attacks, so I had no doubt that this was my turn. I was rushed in and admitted into the Cardiac Care Unit where I stay for 7 long, long days, with nausea and chest pains while every heart test that can be done on a human being was performed. I was finally told 7 days later that my heart is fine and I could go home. I was still in pain and could not eat during my stay in the hospital. I was still throwing up and in pain. I refused to leave the hospital and requested to see Dr. Gorecki. He came into my room with his million dollar smile and told me that he ordered an upper GI test before I was to leave. And thank God! It was at that point that it was discovered that the large hernia had pushed it’s way up and thru my stomach and was in my esophagus and the food that I had eaten for the last few weeks was sitting on top of it. The GI doctor explained to me that it was a mess. He clean out what he could and insured me that Dr. Gorecki would repair the hernia. Because of the size and location of the hernia, the staff at Methodist decided that an emergency repairing of the hernia was necessary to bring me some relief and, if possible, Dr. Gorecki would do the Gastric Sleeve at the same time.

I thought I was ready!!!!! Immediately after surgery, I realized that my stomach was the size of a banana, and I began to cry and cry. I was not sure why I was crying, but it felt like I lost my best friend. I was preparing myself for surgery in April, not February. I needed to go to the buffet one more time. I needed to eat all the fried chicken that I wanted and dip my crab legs in butter one last time. I was not ready for this life changing event that had just happened. The surgery was successful and I was ready to go home on a liquid diet for 10 days. I have to say that the liquid diet did not mean a chocolate shake from Baskin and Robbins, which I think after 1 week after surgery, I tried to do. That is the only time I have been sick since surgery.

The bottom line is that it has been 5 months since surgery, and I have lost a total of 70 lbs from my highest weight. I look younger, feel healthier than I did 10 years ago, and am off all medications. I swim and go to the gym at least 4 days a week. I let go of all my unhealthy relationships. My husband and I are talking again. My entire outlook on life has changed. I am forever grateful, but it is only the beginning; I have a long way to go. I am now 259lbs and believe that one day I will be in the 100’s. My heart jumps for joy; I am so excited about life and all the new possibility. My new short term goal is to see if I can fit on a ride in an amusement park before the summer is over. MY long term goal is to run in the NYC Marathon in 2016. I am so so so Grateful.