Surgery is just another hurdle for Osgood woman
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

A long way from the person she was, Char Bultman of Osgood, still has hills to climb as she emerges a new woman after weight loss surgery December 3, 2003.

Bultman shared her initial story in March of 2004 with newspaper readers and since that time has lost a total of 188 pounds, weighing in today at 186 pounds.

"I feel like I've conquered the world," she told The Versailles Republican in an interview on Tuesday of this week. Since her last update in
January of this year, Bultman went from 210 pounds to 186 pounds, has lost 56.0 inches compared to the January figure of 49.25. She continues to lose weight and inches.

Although Bultman has some hurdles to jump, she is optimistic about the future. Recently she had to undergo a complete hysterectomy and just found out last week she has a hernia that is in need of immediate repair. Her doctor told her instead of waiting until September to remove the excess skin and fat, he would do everything in one whack, next week on June 14. "I was a little taken back - I wasn't really ready for more surgery," noted the Osgood grandmother.

However, Bultman has remained strong throughout the process and says she knows the end result will be great. She was told the excess skin and fat that has to be surgically removed should weigh between 25-35 pounds, and will leave her only a few pounds short of her goal - 140 pounds.

Bultman has had a radical life-style change since her decision to have the gastric by-pass surgery. "I can't get enough exercise, I'm addicted to it," she admitted in a previous interview. Right now she has had to forego exercises at Curves, but says when the surgery is over and she heals, she'll be back.

Saying her doctor told her she could be hospitalized anywhere from two days to two weeks, she said all prayers are welcome. "I've heard from so many people since I've shared my story, it's just been wonderful," she related. Bultman said Senator Johnny Nugent sent her a copy of the newspaper article and a note saying he was proud of her and would be watching her progress through the local newspapers.

While Bultman still suffers chronic pain from a lung surgery she endured after a car accident, she says she feels as "good as she possibly can and much better than when she weighed so much more."

Bultman shared her story of how she struggled for years, losing, then gaining weight until her weight was totally "out of control." When she made the decision to have gastric bypass surgery, she was at the end of the struggle. Now she feels like she has a new lease on life, even with the next hurdle to clear. "I look forward to still getting a bicycle and spending time with my family," she concluded.

In a previous interview, Bultman noted she has shared her experience to encourage those who are struggling with a weight problem. "If telling my story helps one person, it's been worth it," she noted.