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[rdk211 1]

Hi, All

I wonder if anyone else wants to talk about what led you down this path, to be banded?

I'll start. I was a skinny kid - in fact, my mother used to buy me "Rollo" candies cuz she was scared I was so underweight.

Being a quiet, bookish 'nerd' kid - I used to read a lot as a kid, not play sports or anything. Slowly but surely, I gained weight.

In high school, I joined a popular local diet and excercise center and lost weight successfully. Kept it off till my mid twenties.

When I got married, and had my first baby, I gained a LOT of weight. I found I could not lose it. Tried every diet in the book - could not lose. Would go down like 25 lbs and stick. IN between all of this I got pregnant again - gained weight again - tried to lose again - lost 25 again - so now I'm 50 lb up over the two pregnancies.

Got pregnant 3 years later - it's TWINS (actually, it's triplets but the third one didn't make it.) VERY complicated pg - bedrest, steroids, U name it. Gained 100 lbs!!!!!!!!! Could not lose it despite TANDEM NURSING and weight watchers, plus daily hour long work outs. Once again, lost about 35 lb and could not go down further.

Meanwhile, graduate school and work led me to continue to gain again.

This year, I had the straw that breaks the camel's back. A senior doctor at my hospital came over to me and asked if I was pregnant. Feeling worse for her than for me, I said "No, easy mistake to make though!" instead of apologizing and shutting up, she said "Well, u look pregnant. No need to lie about it." I said "Well, I"m not." SO she says "If you are, you don't have to hide it." At that point, I'm ready to deck her. I just walk away, proud of my self control. Later, I hear her talking about it to a nurse.

Funny how despite asthma, arthritis and sleep apnea, it's this story that made me decide to "take the plunge" follow my MD's advice, and start the surgery process.

It's like when you're obese, you are not a person, entitled to the same rights and self-respect of everyone else.

rdk

[Kalipso2 25]

my reason of getting banded probably is the worst reason....

growing up i was skinny. my parents used to say they were afraid the wind would knock me over. through high school i remained thin... a size 6. after high school i started gaining weight. i would tell myself if i got up to a size 10 jean i would diet. then it became a size 12... 14... 16. it didn't help that i would binge and then take laxatives to lose weight... sometimes up to 15 in one day. i didn't believe they would hurt me so i ignored my therapist and doctors worries.

i was forever comparing myself to other people. why is my sister smaller than me and she had 2 kids? wow, i'm the biggest person at work! it was all about self image and self conciousness that sent me to the lap-band. i tried the laxatives. I tried Weight Watchers. I tried going to a nutritionist. i always gave up.

now, no matter how good the food looks, smells and tastes, i know i can't over-eat. it has been a constant struggle, especially during the past month since i have great restriction! it's amazing what happens when you really listen to your body and what it tells you!

[tammy green 0]

Well I haven't been banded yet, but what made me decide is my mom has arthritis in her knees and weights about the same as i do and shes has been bed fast for going on 3 years now.:thumbup: and i have arthrities pain in my knees, and just wondering how much longer i can go on working.:confused2:my dad has had triple by pass heart surgery, and diabetes,:thumbup:

i have also heard the comments, like i don't know that i big they think they have to remind me or something, what's wrong with people they don't think i wake up everyday, with the pain:cursing:, and i hate going shopping the clothes that are pretty does'nt fit ,:sad:and the ones that do look awfully. like you all Ive tried ww, gym, diets on top of diets, this is my last hope,:thumbup: Ive only told one person at work what im planning to do. and a close friend ( shes had by pass surgery) and a cousin, also my husband. i can't tell my family I would get no support there.:tt1: thats one of the reasons i come here lots of support here, and my questions get answered:biggrin2:

Thanks to all tammy:rapture:

[just1more 0]

I have a few reasons, one is my mom. Her and I weight the same. My mom is 60 years old has bad knees, hips, diabetes, and a bad heart since birth. She has used a cane on and off for the last year and I look at her and even though I love her to death, I dont want to be like her. 60 is just not old! She cant keep up with any of us. If we go anywhere she is sitting on the nearest bench waiting for us. I dont want to wait! I'm tired of sitting on the sidelines.

I also wont to be able to keep up with my husband and 9 year old daughter. They are both very active with their lives. I would like to be apart of the activity.

And last but certainly not least...my job. I'm a school bus driver and I have this fear that if something were to happen I would not be able to get my students of that bus. God knows there would be no way I could fit through the emergancy hatch, the emergancy door yes, the hatch, no way! How would I rescue the kids if I cant even rescue myself? If something were to happen to one of those kids because I couldnt get my big ol' butt were it was supose to go, I could not live with my self.

There are many other reason, these were the top three.:biggrin: