My reason and motivation for WLS.......

57 years old....morbidly obese...diabetes....smoker of 2 packs day....blood work all over the charts, ALL of it dangerously bad....

My brother died at age 60, sister at 64....I am the youngest of 3. They died due to weight related issues, so I have family Hx working against me....

I was Dx'd with CAD, Coranary Artery Disease.....laymen's terms I had too much fat in my blood clogging my arteries putting me for risk of CVA's, circulatory issues -amputations, and above all...SUDDEN Death....

A stress test revealed Coranary artery blockage.....underwent angioplasty which revealed one artery 60% occluded in 2 places, and another artery 100%, but that artery regenerated branches compensating for the blockage....cardiac catherization revealed scar tissue at the 100% area, meaning I had a MI ( heart attack) and did not even know it...silent, which is not uncommon for diabetics and women...

I was getting dizzy spells all the time..lack of blood flow? Could not lift my chin and look up without vertigo...

Loss of feeling in my legs, feet.. ( neuropathy) ....skin issues including infections....cellulitis....

My PCP sat knee to knee with me and flat out said unless I loose 50 lbs, I will surely die! Can go at any time....

Perhaps you can understand why I take this surgery very seriously....my very aggressive approach, I don't give a dam what others think...it is life or death!

It may be why I don't have patience with whiners.....suck it up!

So here I am, 2 years post banded, 60 years old......100 lbs down....ALL blood work normal, no more diabetes, passed my last stress test with flying colors.....off all meds, except the cardiac...those are for life....

I run 5 miles per day, 5 days a week, lift weights...make wise food choices...eat only healthy food, no more red meat.

ALL my Dr.s are THRILLED! And I have 5 of them....they all want to take credit but I don't care.....I am their favorite patient, success story.....

Bottom line, it is all because I had lap band surgery...I could never had done it on my own will power, self discipline...I needed surgery to correct my bad habits, prevent me from being a glutton .........easy way out? Yes, but so what! ...look at the alternative......I will never be fat again!

B.... you are such an inspiration...... you surly are, or should be the poster person for how to take back your life.

I have enjoyed watching your transformation over the past. Keep up the WONDERFUL work you look Fabulous...... with a capital F..

Congrats! Sounds like YOU deserve all the credit, not the doctors!

You are a total success.

I am touched by your story. You are not only your doctors success story but I dare say you should be a lap band poster child!

I applaud you! ( as my children would say " you are a gentleman and a scholar!")

Go on with your bad self boy! You have done amazing... Your tough love is very helpful, and much appreciated. I don't think the band is an easy way out though... This is hard as hell! Lol

It's up to each and every one of us to make this work, and you have been a total success! Thank you for opening up to us:) wishing you continued success and a very very happy holiday season.

Great story. The success is YOU!

Thanks for sharing!