5 May 2011 - The Kiwi's Journey Begins! How it Started.

Hi there. I thought I would transfer my blog here from another section of the site. I am a 45 year old Kiwi from Wellington, New Zealand.

Posted 5 May 2011 - 149Kg

I have to say there is some inspirational stuff on this site and I have been very interested to read some of the stories. I thought I would start by commenting on why I made the decision to get the lap band procedure done (in mid June). Then a separate post on how I decided.

My whole story starts some 20 years ago when i started overeating. I would not say I am an "emotional eater" as such - I just like food! I tried Jenny Craig a few years back when I weighed about 116kg. I got down to 104. I am now nearly 150!

So I have been seriously wanting to do something about my weight for a few months now as it is really starting to negatively effect the way I live my life. I used to play and enjoy a lot of sports mainly cricket and golf, but ankle problems mean I can hardly walk a km these days.. So needless to say for those reasons and many other I am motivated for change. I want to record some of the issues I have had mainly so that I can look at this in future times if I ever need motivation. It also might be of assistnce to others considering the op.

Negatives

I am avoiding social occasions as much as I can and have become a slight hermit - not drastically so but it is there.

I am conscious people are looking at me and passing comment behind my back

I am always nervous getting on a plane that I will have to ask for the dreaded "extension" (it doesn't always happen but has sometimes).

I am conscious of the poor people sitting next to me on the plane also

I avoid seeing people who I haven't seen for a while (people mean well but they do comment sometimes)

people call me "big guy" as a term of endearment which is nice (I don't mind too much - accurate decision) - but small guy would be better.

I have to be careful where I sit in restaurants and when visiting that the seats is sturdy enough and there is enough room!

I can't enjoy the sport I used to

I am very low in evergy - the couch is my friend!

I have sleep apneoa and high blood pressure

I am worried about the effects my obesity has had on my health and will do in the future left unchecked.

I am headed for an early grave

Positives

I am very fortunate that I have no other obesity complications - yet

I am determined to change

I have the support of my family (I have only told my wife and my mother at this stage)

I can change if I want to.

If/when I do lose weight a lot of the issues mentioned above will be assisted

So that is where I am. I will post some more tomorrow about how I decided on the Lap Band - it was a decision I agonised over for months!

Regards

AJ