I had emerged from a childhood of being obese as a slim size 6 teenager vowing never to be fat again. A decade later I was bigger then ever. There was no one specific event that made me decide that having the Lap Band placed was the right decision for me, rather it was all of the small indignities that were becoming common place in my life. There were many, but with each new indignity I became more hindered in my ability to live the type of life that I wanted to. At first not being able to cross my legs was just something that I would have to live with. Then I had to start looking for seats without arms, which made going to a movie an anxiety producing event. Eventually shaving my legs became a feat worthy of a contortionist. I was actually grateful that my then year old son was a late walker, as I could not fathom chasing after a toddler

I couldn’t understand why I was so fat. I had been a vegetarian for almost 15 years I was insulted whenever a complete stranger or doctor implied that I must be scarfing down whoppers and fries. Of course I knew the answer, I just ate too often and too much.I ate when I wasn’t hungry, I ate when I was sad, I ate when I had a argument with my husband, I ate when my feelings had been hurt because I had been ostracized due to my weight.

After delivering my son in May 2006 I weighed in at 375 pounds, six months later I was down to 330 and the scale wouldn’t go down from there. Both my mother and my husband asked why I couldn’t just lose weight on my own again. I could never express what I felt, inside “Why ? When I won’t be able to keep it off ?”

At that time I went to an information session at my local hospital, I decided that night that I much preferred having the Lap Band placed instead of either RNY or the Duodenal Switch, the only three surgeries preformed there. I also learned that I would have to wait until I was at a least a year post par tum to have the surgery, the hospital’s policy.

I would love to say that during the interim between the information session and my surgery eight months later I changed my eating habits and started a healthy new lifestyle, but in reality I ate like I was going to the chair. I went for all of the prerequisite exams and learned what I was truly doing to my health. I was at the cut off point for not needing a Cpap machine, my heart was enlarged, I had horrible GERD, and my joints ached constantly. Yet I couldn't stop eating.

Still when I received a call on July 26, 2007 saying that there was a cancellation with my surgeon and I could have my surgery in a mere 5 days I balked. “Could I really do this?” Resoundingly the answer that came from within was “YES I CAN ” I told my skeptical spouse and mother my decision and turned into a shrew waiting for my surgery day. I weighed in at 342 pounds the day of my surgery.

The band has been an amazing tool in my life giving me a sense of satiety that I never had before.

I have had success with my band because I keep reminding myself of my inner voice that told me I could when the closest people to me were skeptical. I walk 90 minutes a day at least 5 days a week and follow the Bandster rules. Today I weigh 212 pounds and am 47 pounds away from my goal. I will get there, although it is getting more difficult to lose.

The quality of my life is so much better and instead of learning to live with indignities I am finding non scale victories NSVs)everywhere... :thumbup:

you are doing great, it was an inspiration to read your post.

I too had a wake up call. on planes the seat belt was at its limit. 5 more pounds and I would have had to have a seat belt extender.

I also quit having baths, as it was too hard on the knees and legs to get in and out.

The band has given me a new life, and the gym has been great. I can now ride my bike and now go to the gym with my 11 and 13 year old.

Life is turning out to be great.

OOOOO MY GOSH YOU HAVE DONE WONDERFULL CONGRATULATIONS,I HAVE HAD THE BAND FOR ONE YEAR BUT WITH NO RESULTS, I WOULD REALLY APRECIATE SOME HELP ON DIETS OR WHAT EVER YOU DID TO HAVE SUCH AMAZING RESULTS. THANKS AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK:smile2::eek::smile2::cool2:

Awesome! You are an inspiration to those of us just starting out.

Great story!!! Congrats!!!

Thanks for sharing your awesome story!!! YOu are an inspiration!

I just wanted to say Congrats and keep up the hard work!!!

Laurie:thumbup:

wow look at you!!! you look happy healthy and beautiful!!! all what i hope to achieve in the next year!! im 4 days banded and loving my band already!! thank you for posting you pics and story its a big motivation to keep sipping my soup lol

Thanks for your story. You really give me the extra bit of evidence that I need to tell me that I CAN and WILL do this :glare:

Wow! You truly are an inspiration to everyone. I love your honest thoughts, and there are many of us on here that are grateful for them. I am due to go for my first appointment with the doctor (i live in UK), and have been looking for inspiring stories like yours. I have so many concerns, but more so, am excited about the future. I have learnt so much from reading about personal experiences like yours.

You are an amazing person. Despite having negativity around you from those close to you, you have come through and shown them! Be proud of yourself, you are amazing!:thumbdown:

Amazing results! COngratulations. I just wondered how you are going now a few months on? Still losing? Or are you happy where you have gotton to?

Lisa~

I just read your post and am floored. I like so many others here can relate. I am just so thrilled reading about your success! I just cant wait until I get my surgery done and over with. I am 43 years old and have a 7 year old that I want to enjoy life with again! Things are so much easier when you are living in a body that you control and it doesnt control you. When I read about leg crossing..I laughed cause I thought to myself, that is one thing that I cant wait to do. Folding my legs under me too without cutting off the circulation too will be nice..lol

Congrats again and thank you oh so much for sharing. You are beautiful..inside and out! Keep on the right track we are all cheering for you!!

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