Annette 9/2012

Well, I have not been overweight until 2004. I can say I was in shape till about my middle 40's and perhaps only about 10-20 lbs over of what I normally should be for my age and height. During my pregnancy in 1985 delivered a 9.6 oz girl at 160 lbs.

I pretty much stayed in shape in my 30's but then I got married in 2005 which at that time, I was 140 lbs and stopped paying attention of my food intake, cooking and I didn't exercise, so now 8 years later, obese, out of shape and 210lbs now at 51 and I really dislike the way I look.

I understand now that this Lapband procedure is a "tool" to combine with a diet of healthy eating and exercise. I am so ready for this change!. I lost myself and I want myself back to look and feel good again. My very best friend had the lapband which failed due to other medical issues, and she returned for the gastric bypass surgery and is at her goal weight and she feels good and looks 10 years younger. I went with my friend for her post op evaluation and so I decided I would find out if I would qualify for the lap band procedure. Dr. Christina Li in Baltimore, Maryland will do my lapband procedure.

Currently at 51 of age and 208 lbs, yes, I am over the BMI (37) but I do not have any health conditions except high cholesterol and I was advised to have an evaluation for sleep apnea as such should make me qualify. I have to return to my medical doctor and discuss about this procedure and then start the journey.

LapBandTalk.com Body Weight Ticker

I did have the sleep evaluation in February and it did determine that I have "severe" obstructive sleep apnea which makes me a "qualified patient" for my insurance purposes to pay for lap band surgery.

I have started on my journey of 6 months of documentation for insurance purposes and a tenative surgery date during the month of September 2012.

In the meantime, I am learning from all the experiences of new "bandsters" post op learning experiences, food management and exercise and people who have lost weight and continue on their journey. I am so excited when I look at all the profiles, photos of before and after and life changes of all the people, weightloss leads to "feeling good again", and not only does it help with self-esteem issues- but lovelife-romance-and fashion and wear those great high heels again "I can't wait to wear them again" but also too wellness of a healthy life and perhaps get off of some medications as well! I am reading everything I can on youtube which is a great source for information about all types lapband experiences. I am so ready for this surgery to be banded and one day reach a goal to be at my goal 135 lbs!

I have started this journey of diet and exercise. I have not exercised in 10 years. I have joined a gym and I exercise now 5 days a week. I do a 30 cardio min warm up on the treadmill 5 days a week with a combined fitness of "body pump" 60 min of weight training or spin cycle class 60 min. I walk to the parking lot 15 min each x2 a day 5 days a week. I also like swim on the weekends in the indoor pool at my community on Saturday and Sunday 9 laps/18 pool lengths. I have been working out really hard and lifestyle of diet change for the last 6 months "I can run a 15/min mile" so total up to six miles a day is quite accomplishment, but only a 10 lb loss!

192lbs 8/27/12 my body is responding to jogging!

In the near future, I will be posting a YOU TUBE very soon about my journey in August right before I get that surgery appointment "on paper" and I will add my LAST AND NEW profile pictures each month to show my progress. Friends to all who ask- I lived most of my life in New Jersey but I now live in Silver Spring, Maryland.