Heidi’s WLS Journey
November 2, 2012My WLS Journey
by Heidi Denker
I have been heavy my entire life as far back as I can remember. Being the biggest kid in class from elementary school clear into high school, I considered it a “normal” day when other students made fun of me. Finally, as a freshman in high school, one boy took interest in me. He became my first friend ever, and a few years later, my husband. He was the only man I had ever dated because I didn’t like to be around people, and I didn’t want anybody to see me and the way I was.
After we were married, I started having several health problems because of my weight. One of them being that I was unable to conceive. Finally, after six years of trying, we gave birth to a perfect baby boy and three years later, a baby girl. But even through both of those miracles, I remained at my heaviest weight ever. I had toddlers and had a very hard time playing and keeping up with their very active lives. I was missing out on the lives of my two precious children, and it was killing me, along with the weight. I became severely depressed. Before I even knew that gastric bypass existed, I prayed to God to give me some disease that would require a surgery to take out my stomach, so that I wouldn’t eat. I wanted a life and I would do anything to have another chance.
God answered yet another one of my prayers, but not exactly the way I asked Him too. At the right moment, there was an advertisement on the television talking about the different options available for weight loss surgery. I was astonished! At that moment, I started my research. The very first website God led me to was St. Elizabeth Regional Medical Center. I immediately signed up for the very next scheduled information class. That day, I was so excited to be there. Dr. Taddeucci was the speaker. I knew, right then and there, that this was the right thing for me and that Dr. Taddeucci and the staff at St. Elizabeth were the answer to my prayers. I followed through with the program, the insurance requirements, and the support of St. Elizabeth, every step of the way. Never, ever to look back and regret for one moment having the RNY Gastric Bypass (April 20, 2009).
As of today, I am three years post-op, and enjoying every moment of every day of my life. God, Dr. Taddeucci, and the staff at St. Elizabeth have given me another chance. I am eternally grateful! I began my journey at 305 pounds and am down 115 pounds. My kids are older now (ages 13 and 10). The biggest “WOW” moment I had recently was when I took the kids to an amusement park. They told me to slow down; they were tired and didn’t want to go anymore. It was early evening that day, and I was still full of energy and had no intentions of stopping. I actually outlasted my kids! There have been many WOW moments along the way, but the biggest and the best of them is knowing that as a single mom now, I am there for my kids and am actively involved and keeping up with the both of them. I am forever grateful to St. Elizabeth and Dr. Taddeucci for giving me a life worth living.
