AMYfromNY

I wasn't always heavy - despite the fact that my father in particular used to try to make me think I was. Calling me a great big heifer did not do much for my self esteem. I was average - average and average. I had two older sister's though that were - skinny. When I got married at the age of 27 I weight approximately 130 lbs. So what happened - well yes having kids helps put on pounds but if i had taken care of it after each one then there would not have been a problem - I was lazy. Then I think I just got lazier and wasn't really seeing my real self - just the one I thought was ok- you know...average. Now as I have aged arthritis is taking it's toll on my knees and feet. Most things are difficult to do and I really have no energy. I am now retired and I love to travel but travel would be much more enjoyable without all this weight. Also - I hope sometime in the not too distant future to have a grandchild. I want to be able to be active with them and be here as long as I can for them.

So last June (2012) I went to an informational meeting about gastric surgery. I was there for about 2 hours. I listened, I asked questions and I talked to post op patients. I drove home and said nope....I don't think I want to do this - do I really want to give up eating what I want for the rest of my life.
But I continued to think it over - I thought about the holidays in particular - Thanksgiving. And what I finally came to realize was that I could still have a bit of whatever I wanted - it wasn't that I could eat the food - I just couldn't eat a ton of it. I thought to myself - you know how after you eaten and you are full you can walk by any food smell and it just doesn't have the same impact that it does when you are hungry. Well if I am full on a little turkey and trimmings then really - what am I missing out on. So I continued with the many many steps in this process and finally everything came together on March 14, 2013 I had my lap band surgery. This first week has been harder than expected but now - I do see a light ahead and am looking forward to getting to the finish line and feeling better than I have in years.