Copyright 2010 by Jack Kimble
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Jack Before |
Jack Now |
A 400 Pound Jack
I don't remember a time in my life when I wasn't overweight ... as a child, as teenager and as a young adult. I was fighting for my life and obesity was winning hands down. Just as I was about to throw in the white flag and accept defeat, God presented me with a new plan.
It wasn't until mid 2004 that I finally had enough of the health issues that seemed to be taking over my body. I attended a fundraiser sponsored by the company I'm employed with. At the event, I had the option of donating blood, something I've done for years. They ran a few tests and declined my donation because my blood pressure was entirely too high and referred me to a physician. After meeting with my family doctor, he decided to put me on a low dose of blood pressure medicine and talked to me about losing weight. YEAH, YEAH, YEAH!!! I hear it all the time. It went in one ear and out the other, just like all the other times. Next, I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea, then an Anxiety Disorder, and finally Tendonitis in both ankles and one elbow. I'm 27 years old and I'm falling apart.
Fast Forward … I tuned into The Learning Channel (TLC) and watched the story of the 800 pound man who had to be removed from his house because of his health issues. They only way to save his life and get him to the hospital was to cut out the side of his house and remove him by forklift. THAT WAS ALL I NEEDED TO SEE!!! Out of nowhere, a friend of mine decided she wanted to look into Gastric Bypass Surgery and she asked me if I was interested in going with her to a seminar. We attended one a few weeks later, where they told us of all the various procedures for weight-loss surgery. At the end of the demonstration, they opened the floor for us to ask any questions that came to mind. A few questions and answers went back and forth and I realized this was something I wanted to do. My friend and I both signed up for a consultation and that's where life for me started to change.
After waiting for weeks to find out if my insurance would approve me for Lap Band Surgery, I was knocked down when the decision came back as NO. I was shattered and felt like a failure. I was furious! I'd finally made the decision to do this and they, the insurance company, said NO! You can just die! That's how I felt. But after praying about the situation, God gave me the courage to move forward and keep trying. Fast forward to October 2004, I learned of a surgeon who offered cheap office visits. My friend and I both met with him, talked about a different procedure and we were back in business. Papers were filed and now the waiting game was on. Mid December rolled around and after numerous phone calls placed to the insurance company, the answer was … YES!!! I was shocked. I didn't know what to say. I just cried. I called my surgeon to inform him of the approval and they went over what to do next. After the second consult with him, the realization of what was about to happen had finally sunk in.
Skipping forward to mid January, my surgery date was scheduled for January 31, 2005, and it was time to start my pre-diet. For the most part, it was a breeze. I can tell you I'll never do it again unless I absolutely have to. IT, the liquid diet, was by far the hardest thing I've had to endure. I lost 15 pounds on this diet alone. Counting down the days was painful. I was ready. I couldn't sleep and it was all I talked about. I couldn't help but think about what life was going to be like … skinny. I was going to be able to buy skinny clothes, ride fair rides and fly comfortably. I was going to be able to run and walk. Keeping up with my friends who where, for the most part, thin. My new life was about to start.
It's finally here. 5 a.m., mom and I are sitting in the waiting room waiting to be admitted. I was nervous but not scared. They took me to my room and I waited patiently, lying in bed, watching television, getting excited every time I heard a knock at the door. When I saw the nurse come in with the sleepy meds, I know I had a huge smile on my face. My support group was with me … mom, grandmother, brother, aunt. No goodbyes were said, only, “See you in a bit.”
Five years and eight months ago God blessed me. Five years and eight months ago, I was 385 pounds, a 4XL shirt, 48 in pants and dying. Today, weighing in at 165 pounds (Math says I've lost 235 pounds), a Medium, sometimes a Small shirt and a 32 waist, I've found my life all over again. Regrets? Yes, but only one … I wish I had done it sooner. God sent someone to save my life and I can't thank him, my surgeon and his crew enough for doing such a fabulous job. I'm now living a healthy lifestyle, staying active and taking advantage of all the activities I wasn't able to do in the past.
Life is Great!
Jack Kimble
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