Melanie Canaday: Just Go For It
June Zaragoza, MPH, RD/LD

As Melanie put it, “I got tired of being overweight.”  She had bad knees, sleep apnea, diabetes, asthma, and was on daily medications for migraines.  Because she was terrified of needles she decided to do the bypass, thinking it would be easier. 

So, on April 29, 2008 she had surgery.  She says, “I got lucky – no pain.  I took 1 Tylenol and that was it.”  She did lose some hair, saying, “It’s inevitable to lose hair.  I had little pieces growing everywhere so I told them to cut it all.”

Now, at 112 lbs less in a little over a year, she is off all medications and her sleep machine.  She says, “Now every once in a while my back hurts, but other than that.  I’m constantly on my feet at work.”  She works out on her Bowflex three times a week.  She can now tolerate all foods, “I can eat everything, unfortunately, cake, the works.  It takes a lot of willpower to stop shoveling it in.”

And finally she says, “Just go for it – no matter what you do there’s going to be problems.  I wouldn’t talk anyone out of it.”

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