nkl1201

Beginning at age 13, I went from an athletic youngster, to being very overweight in a short amount of time. Now, 11 years later and nearing 25, my weight has ballooned to 230lbs on my 5'5" frame. An avid horseback rider with professional aspirations, this not only is endangering my health (my mother recently died at age 57 and was morbidly obese,) but my everyday activities and riding have suffered as well. I have lost decent amounts of weight before-40lbs with phentermine (ended due to having heart palpitations while on the drug,) and a year of extreme dieting and triathlon training produced a 60lb loss and I was 160lbs at my lowest.My goal is 130lbs, and I know that all the years of starving myself, crazy diets, extreme exercise, etc. are not going to keep me healthy for the long term. I will be having my first pre-surgical appointment on November 2nd. I am extremely excited. I have been gathering tons of information about the procedure, pre and post op dietary rules, and researching many of the risks involved.I am glad to have found this site and hope to get to learn from other bandsters as well as become inspired as I begin to undertake this life-changing journey.
Update:After changing my mind about the procedure before my original planned surgery date of January 7th, 2009, I will be seeing a different surgeon on August 16, 2010. I will be inquiring about SILS (Single-incision laparoscopic surgery) with the Lap Band. I am more committed than ever. Went from 240 in late March to around 210 in mid-August (did Medifast diligently until May, then have been back and forth with food/exercise, etc.) Ready to rock this thing!Update 2: Decided to go with Dr. Brad Watkins with Synchrony Health in Oak Brook, IL. Surgery date set for September 13th, 2010!!!! My one week liquid protein diet starts on September 6th, 2010.Update 2: So...I was banded yesterday (9-13-10) and am sooo glad I went through with it. My surgeon (Dr. Brad Watkins), was fantastic and all the nurses and medical staff at the Oak Brook Center for Surgery in Oak Park, IL were fantastic. I received the absolute best care and am doing well at home. Looking forward to being sharing more on the boards here now that I am a fellow Bandster!