Hello, my name is Sharon. I'm 43 years old and have had a weight problem for as far back as i can remember. For the last couple of years it seems that I have been on the verge of losing my life long battle with obesity. With a severe slip and fall in my past and a torn ligament in my knee in Sept. of 2004, I have gained 80 pounds in the past 24 months. Obesity runs in both sides of my family. On Monday, the 25th of July, I watched Entertainment Tonight, and saw Eygie's story and immediately felt a spark of life! I went to the website right away and called the phone number and spoke to Vodge. He made me feel like there might still be hope for me yet! I have the same problem that Eygie had, my insurance will not cover the surgery. I was a stay at home mom that had done daycare as much as I could between surgeries and health problems due to obesity for years. All together I have had 14 surgeries (most of them due to fibroid tumors, and a hysterectomy etc.). The GBS! that I am interested in is the lap-band. Every surgeon that I've seen has suggested GBS to save my health. My last surgery was in the year 2000. My gallbladder was removed with the laparoscopic procedure. The surgeon told me that the fat was going to start penetrating into my liver. Now I am starting to get adema, which has made it unbearable to walk or even start up for more than a minute or two. I can no longer sleep flat on my bed and have now switched to the couch recliner so I can breathe.

Recently, I was invited to a birthday-family reunion for my aunt who has a large family. My grandmother was very upset because I did not want to go. I have been teased by my cousins my whole life and never wanted that feeling ever again. I decided to go and hold my head up high. When I walked through the door all I heard was a huge gasp for breath and silence! It was awful. There was a lot of whispering and staring the whole time. The party was on June,18 2005 and I'm still hearing how wonderful it was. If they only knew, how I suffer in silence. I now rarely leave my house to spare myself some feelings of some kind. I have two children, a son and a daughter. My son has moved away and refuses to speak with me until I begin to take my health seriously, while my daughter is afraid to leave my side. Sometimes at night I can hear her crying on the phone, talking about how much she loves me and doesn't want to lose me.

Path
I feel that my reasons for doing this today have been discussed with me many times in the past, by a lot of friends, family and doctors. Due to state and hospital policies about medi-cal, I have been limited to only therapy. I have been seeing a wonderful psychologist and psychiatrist for nine years now. I really don't believe the therapy alone is enough. I did have one month of physical therapy because I was lucky, but it just made the health problems worse. I have done every diet that exists! My weight watchers counselor told me she was proud of me for trying so hard but also worried about me at the same time. She thought I should see a doctor too. I told her I had seen everybody I could. Nothing worked. I really want my life back. I would love to be around to see at least one grandchild born. Right now I am just existing, trapped in my home and don't want to feel that way any longer. If I could somehow get this surgery, it would be a blessing, a miracle and worth all ! of the risks. EYGIE, I WILL NEVER STOP HOPING OR BELIEVING.