Debbie Lombard – Bariatric Surgery Support
Home Success Stories Debbie Lombard
I was never overweight as a child or as a teenager (although I thought I was!). But that all changed once I left home for my studies! I rapidly picked up weight from my first year in college and it just kept on adding up over the years.
There were times when I managed to lose some weight, and I even lost 20kg at one stage, just to regain it all eventually. As anyone with a weight problem would probably relate to, I got more and more despondent and disgusted with myself. I had absolutely no self confidence, was very ashamed of myself and hated going out.
At 30 I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, which explained our struggle to fall pregnant as well as some other health issues I had, including my weight gain. We went for fertility treatment and were blessed with our beautiful boy, who is now 10 years old. Unfortunately all of the further fertility treatments that we had to try for a second baby were unsuccessful.
So at the beginning of last year, the year in which I would turn 40, I decided that this would be MY year to regain my old (or new) self!! I knew someone who had the surgery done with Dr Swanepoel, chatted to her and also researched the procedure on the internet. But I still thought it too drastic and that I just must be able to lose the weight the conventional way. So I pushed it out of my head for a while, until one day when I was just totally fed up with myself. So, with hands and heart trembling, I made an appointment with Dr Swanepoel. I can recall so clearly the weekend before that first appointment. We were away with friends and I was so teary and nervous because I just knew that this would be the start of a life changing journey. And it was!! I had my surgery on 25 June 2009 and I haven’t looked back since. I’ve lost 45kg in the 12 months since the surgery, and would like to lose another 10 – 15kg.
My life is so much different than before. The physical transformation and adjustments have been mind blowing, but even more challenging have been my road of emotional growth and the finding of myself. For the first time in a very long time I feel good about myself and confident about who I am and my appearance.
Every single day I am so grateful for this ongoing journey!!
Hi Debbie, ek is Anette van Jeffreysbaai, het al met jou gesels oor die foon. Jy lyk pragtig en dis n aanmoediging om jou foto’s te sien.
Sal graag met Annette Nel van Jeffreysbaai wil gesels. Hoe kan ons kontak maak?
Hi Amelia, my nommer is 082 785 7599, jy’s welkom om enige tyd te skakel en DIE ANDER KANT van die storie te hoor.
Jy is welkom om my weer te bel om te gesels!!
Hi Debbie, ek sit voor die comp met trane in my oë van bewondering vir jou en die ander wat die operasie deur gemaak het, ek wens ek kon dit al gedoen het. Ek was al by Dr. Potgieter en al my toetse gedoen ek kwalifiseer ook vir die operasie want my BMI is 62, maar die probleem is ek het nie medies nie en my geld sake wil net nie lekker uitwerk nie. So ek wag op die Here om my te voorsien sodat ek dit kan laat doen. Maar jy lyk pragtig ek beny jou.
Baie dankie Louise! Ek weet presies hoe jy voel waar jy nou is – hou net moed, jou uitweg sal kom!!! Dit is ‘n hengse life-changing ervaring waardeur ek is en dis elke sent werd gewees! Ek wens jou ALLE voorspoed en sterkte toe, jy sal in my gedagtes en gebede wees. Groete, Debbie
Welgedaan Debbie – sjoe ek kry hoendervleis soos ek jou woorde lees – ek doen al vir baie lank navorsing oor die prosedure (my suster het dit reeds so 2 jaar terug gehad) en ek WIL dit ook laat doen. Ek hoop en bid en vertrou dat my medies dit sal betaal anders gaan ek die geld moet “leen, bedel of steel” LOL Grappies op ‘n stokkie – ek wil my lewe VOL lewe, nie meer vol vet nie – maar vol vreugde, geluk, tevredenheid en liefde.
Baie geluk Debbie – jy lyk fantasties en ek weet hierdie ervaring het jou lewe onherroeplik verander!
Wow Debbie, jy lyk fantasties. Jy het nie eers nodig om die ander gewig te verloor nie, want jy lyk klaar stunning. Ek sal wat wil gee om so te kan lyk. Ek het vandag Prof van der Merwe se spreekkamers geskakel vir ‘n afspraak en hulle doen afsprake vir SEPTEMBER! Dit gaan ‘n ewigheid neem om daar uit te kom. Ek voel ek kan nie ‘n dag langer nie, en het geskakel vandag want ek het uiteindelik besluit hierdie drastiese stap is die uitweg en nou die gewag.
Geniet jou nuwe liggaam en lewe. Ek kan nie wag vir myne nie.