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She’s Losing Weight
By Cheryl Stuck
Life takes each of us on unique journeys.“Over my
lifetime, I have probaby gained and lost over 1,500
pounds,” said Cindy Oberhaus, 57, who weighed 353
pounds at her peak. “I’ve tried every diet — and they all
work,” she said. “But as soon as I was done, I would gain it
all back, plus some. I was so tired of being so big and
having no energy. My feet hurt and I could hardly walk
because my knees were so bad. I had destroyed them by
being so heavy.”
But the physical ailments were only part of Cindy’s
problem. “When you’re really big, a lot of people don’t even
see you. The stigma is immense,” she said. “It has a big
impact on how you interact socially.”
Cindy was at the end of her rope when she decided to
investigate bariatric surgery. She searched the internet for
specific feedback about doctors, hospitals and how their
bariatric patients were treated. She read a lot of horror stories, but continued her
research until she found what she was looking for — the Bariatric Center at
Georgetown Community Hospital in Georgetown, Ky. She checked out their
procedures, infection rates, the doctors, and went for a visit. Her mind was made up.
She would have Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. But Cindy’s husband of 37
years wasn’t so happy about her decision. “He was terrified. He blew up and didn’t
talk to me for two days,” she said. But she convinced him.
Cindy had the surgery in November 2004, stayed in the hospital for two-and-a-half
days and went back to work the next week. At her two-week checkup, she was
disappointed that she had only lost 15 pounds. But six months later, she had lost 85
pounds and after 18 months, had a total loss of 145 pounds, which she has
maintained. Cindy still has to watch her calorie and carb intake, but finds it easier
now because if she eats too much, she pays for it. She breaks out in a cold sweat
and her heart begins to pound. “They call it ‘dumping syndrome,’” she said. “It’s kind
of scary. So that’s my personal policeman that keeps me from doing bad things with
my mouth. I needed that…something that was going to stay with me and help me
control my urge to eat.”
Cindy had assumed that after losing weight, her knees would improve, but they still
hurt when she tried to exercise, so in February, 2006, she had both knees replaced.
Now she does 45 minutes of cardio exercises and water aerobics three times per
week.
Cindy is thrilled with the results. “I can go to the store and buy clothes — I don’t have
to special order them anymore. I can shop all day — I used to be exhausted after 20
minutes. I let my cleaning lady go and now I clean my own house. My energy level is
so incredible, it’s amazing. Socially, all of a sudden, I’m there. People talk to me and
respect what I say. Men flirt with me, which my husband thinks is kind of cute. My
husband treats me like I’m his new Christmas present.”
But she isn’t done yet. After a breast lift and having the “wings” of saggy skin under
the arms removed, she will have a butt lift and her thighs lifted. She hopes that the
plastic surgeries will be finished in about 18 months. “I’ll be a medical marvel,” she
said with a laugh, “the bionic woman.” Her Journey Graduated from High School: 5’
3” 155 lbsWent to college: gained 20 poundsGot married and had two babies: After
first child, weighed 244 lbs, went on the Stillman diet and lost down to 142 lbs. Within
a year back to 205 lbs. After second child, gained it all back.Cindy and husband
bought a small grocery store: Gained 100 lbs in six months. Within five years, topped
out at 353 lbs. Help! Went to a dietitian for nine months and got down to 230 lbs.
But as soon as that ended, weight came back. Went to weight loss clinic for over a
year and went from
338 lbs to
219 lbs.Moved to Louisville (from Ohio) and gained it all back. Did Weight Watchers
and Atkins diet — got down to 250 lbs. Her back was aching and knees were
deteriorating.At her
rope’s end — researched bariatric surgery. Husband was against it, but
did it anyway in November, 2004. Lost 145 lbs
in 18 months.Knee replacement surgery (February, 2006). Breast lift
and underarm
wings removed
(November 2006). As the journey continues… plans to have a tummy tuck, butt lift,
and thigh lift. Hope to be finished
within the next 18 months.If you know a woman who has had
a life-changing experience, please email: cherylstuck@iamtodayswoman.com.
By Cheryl Stuck
Life takes each of us on unique journeys.“Over my
lifetime, I have probaby gained and lost over 1,500
pounds,” said Cindy Oberhaus, 57, who weighed 353
pounds at her peak. “I’ve tried every diet — and they all
work,” she said. “But as soon as I was done, I would gain it
all back, plus some. I was so tired of being so big and
having no energy. My feet hurt and I could hardly walk
because my knees were so bad. I had destroyed them by
being so heavy.”
But the physical ailments were only part of Cindy’s
problem. “When you’re really big, a lot of people don’t even
see you. The stigma is immense,” she said. “It has a big
impact on how you interact socially.”
Cindy was at the end of her rope when she decided to
investigate bariatric surgery. She searched the internet for
specific feedback about doctors, hospitals and how their
bariatric patients were treated. She read a lot of horror stories, but continued her
research until she found what she was looking for — the Bariatric Center at
Georgetown Community Hospital in Georgetown, Ky. She checked out their
procedures, infection rates, the doctors, and went for a visit. Her mind was made up.
She would have Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. But Cindy’s husband of 37
years wasn’t so happy about her decision. “He was terrified. He blew up and didn’t
talk to me for two days,” she said. But she convinced him.
Cindy had the surgery in November 2004, stayed in the hospital for two-and-a-half
days and went back to work the next week. At her two-week checkup, she was
disappointed that she had only lost 15 pounds. But six months later, she had lost 85
pounds and after 18 months, had a total loss of 145 pounds, which she has
maintained. Cindy still has to watch her calorie and carb intake, but finds it easier
now because if she eats too much, she pays for it. She breaks out in a cold sweat
and her heart begins to pound. “They call it ‘dumping syndrome,’” she said. “It’s kind
of scary. So that’s my personal policeman that keeps me from doing bad things with
my mouth. I needed that…something that was going to stay with me and help me
control my urge to eat.”
Cindy had assumed that after losing weight, her knees would improve, but they still
hurt when she tried to exercise, so in February, 2006, she had both knees replaced.
Now she does 45 minutes of cardio exercises and water aerobics three times per
week.
Cindy is thrilled with the results. “I can go to the store and buy clothes — I don’t have
to special order them anymore. I can shop all day — I used to be exhausted after 20
minutes. I let my cleaning lady go and now I clean my own house. My energy level is
so incredible, it’s amazing. Socially, all of a sudden, I’m there. People talk to me and
respect what I say. Men flirt with me, which my husband thinks is kind of cute. My
husband treats me like I’m his new Christmas present.”
But she isn’t done yet. After a breast lift and having the “wings” of saggy skin under
the arms removed, she will have a butt lift and her thighs lifted. She hopes that the
plastic surgeries will be finished in about 18 months. “I’ll be a medical marvel,” she
said with a laugh, “the bionic woman.” Her Journey Graduated from High School: 5’
3” 155 lbsWent to college: gained 20 poundsGot married and had two babies: After
first child, weighed 244 lbs, went on the Stillman diet and lost down to 142 lbs. Within
a year back to 205 lbs. After second child, gained it all back.Cindy and husband
bought a small grocery store: Gained 100 lbs in six months. Within five years, topped
out at 353 lbs. Help! Went to a dietitian for nine months and got down to 230 lbs.
But as soon as that ended, weight came back. Went to weight loss clinic for over a
year and went from
338 lbs to
219 lbs.Moved to Louisville (from Ohio) and gained it all back. Did Weight Watchers
and Atkins diet — got down to 250 lbs. Her back was aching and knees were
deteriorating.At her
rope’s end — researched bariatric surgery. Husband was against it, but
did it anyway in November, 2004. Lost 145 lbs
in 18 months.Knee replacement surgery (February, 2006). Breast lift
and underarm
wings removed
(November 2006). As the journey continues… plans to have a tummy tuck, butt lift,
and thigh lift. Hope to be finished
within the next 18 months.If you know a woman who has had
a life-changing experience, please email: cherylstuck@iamtodayswoman.com.