On November 16th, 2009 I celebrated my 50th birthday! Wow! I made it. When I attended the LAP-BAND® seminar in 2008, I knew that my goal was to weigh less on my 50th. I was determined. I was banded on January 26, 2009. (2008)on my birthday I weighed approx 315 lbs. (2009) on my birthday, 187 lbs,(Yes)!!

For sure I'm no expert on lapbanding. However, I have made ME a priority. I've tried to make the best of my partnership with my band thus far. I've tried to do My part(better food choices and exercise). When I got notice of approval in November 2008, I started preparing myself for the road ahead. It is an emotional and physical ride. Giving up french fries(omg), shrimp po-boys & roast beef, ham and swiss po-boys, rice and pasta dishes, crispy fried chicken, chips, candy, nachos, soda, snowballs and beignets was going to be devastating. Especially living here in New Orleans. Whew! On the other hand, escalating blood pressure, fatigue, increasing clothes sizes and my lack of satisfaction with myself wasn't a party either. I know I made the right choice. I don't feel deprived. I'm grateful every day for the opportunity to have been banded!

I've got about 25lbs to go and I know I'll get there ...