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My Weight Loss Journey -- Why I underwent Lap Band Surgery

By NYC Girl

· 418 views

I decided to have lap band surgery after realizing that my excess weight, and the associated co-morbitities (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cancer, gall bladder disease and even knee pain) were likely to negatively impact the rest of my life. When you are young, nothing seems to matter, and you often don't see the consequences of bad choices. After enduring two surgeries (hysterectomy because of endometrial cancer in August 2009, and a severe gall bladder attack and surgery spring 2011) that resulted in a total of 15 days spent in Bellevue Hospital in the last two years, I realized that the outlook for the rest of my life wasn't bright and I would likely face a shortened and/or restricted life. My parents both died in their early sixties. I am 56! Yikes, I need to change, and I'm running out of time!!!!

 

As i do not have medical insurance, I was lucky to find a program at Bellevue Hospital in NYC that offered weight loss surgery for New Yorkers at a very reasonable cost (only $150 for this unemployed, non- insured New Yorker), and I figured this was the time to do it. So after some misgivings (okay, lots of misgivings!) I was banded 9/12/11 and have begun my journey. I'm hoping that this blog will help me successfully navigate the lifestyle changes that I need to internalize to create a new life!

 

I'm off to a good start, and have lost over 32 lbs from my highest weight (including a 10 lb loss after gall bladder surgery in April) and am now at Post Op Day #34. The first 28 days were easy. Little appetite, restricted food plan (clear liquids, full liquid, mushies, soft food), and rapid weight loss. Now that I'm on regular food, my appetite is returning and my weight loss has slowed. That's okay, because the rapid weight loss at the beginning scared me a little -- it seemed too "easy" and thus couldn't possibly last..

 

And yet, I'm afraid of failure, or is it fear of success? I guess we'll find out! I intend to do this only once, so need the lifestyle changes to stick. Slow and steady will be my motto -- I'm in this for the long haul -- can I think of any more trite truisms?

 

First step: goal setting.

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    5 Comments

    Recommended Comments

    Expert Member

    zil

    LAP-BAND Patients

    BEST OF LUCK TO YOU. You are to be commended of the decision you made.

    I love your motto -- slow and steady. Do you mind if I borrow it???

    I think you hit the nail on the head -- are we afraid of failure or success???

    I will be keeping good thoughts for you and all of us bandsters.

  • Quote
    • Novice

    beverlybbarnes

    LAP-BAND Patients

    You will do great! YOu have now extended years onto your life and I know that this band will help you enjoy them all the better. I am right there with you on the failure or success thing. Sometimes I seem to sabotage myself. But once we get over ourselves, we can accomplish much. Best of luck and blessings to you.

  • Quote
    • Expert Member

    NYC Girl

    LAP-BAND Patients

    BEST OF LUCK TO YOU. You are to be commended of the decision you made.

    I love your motto -- slow and steady. Do you mind if I borrow it???

    I think you hit the nail on the head -- are we afraid of failure or success???

    I will be keeping good thoughts for you and all of us bandsters.

    Absolutely, you can use my motto!

    Better yet, we need it to inhale it, have it become part of us, so we don't get caught in the "oh, I only lost.......this week" rolleyes.gif

    Best of luck,

    Lisa in NYC

  • Quote
    • Expert Member

    NYC Girl

    LAP-BAND Patients

    You will do great! YOu have now extended years onto your life and I know that this band will help you enjoy them all the better. I am right there with you on the failure or success thing. Sometimes I seem to sabotage myself. But once we get over ourselves, we can accomplish much. Best of luck and blessings to you.

    Well, at least I'm beginning to do what I CAN DO to influence the length and quality of the rest of my life! Just have to keep repeating that~~~~

    Best,

    Lisa in NYC

    BEST OF LUCK TO YOU. You are to be commended of the decision you made.

    I love your motto -- slow and steady. Do you mind if I borrow it???

    I think you hit the nail on the head -- are we afraid of failure or success???

    I will be keeping good thoughts for you and all of us bandsters.

    Absolutely, you can use my motto!

    Better yet, we need it to inhale it, have it become part of us, so we don't get caught in the "oh, I only lost.......this week" rolleyes.gif

    Best of luck,

    Lisa in NYC

  • Quote
    • Intermediate Member

    Brynne E

    LAP-BAND Patients

    NYC Girl,

    I loved your post! I was banded on Sept 19th 2011. i have seen some of your comments here on Lapband talk and wanted to know if you use 'my fitness pal'? If so, I would like to add you as a friend.

    Take care, you are doing great~!

    Oh yeah, one more trite truism for you.......

    Your attitude determines your altitude! ( I think you have mastered this one!)

    Brynne Edwards

  • Quote
    • Guest
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