I've battle with my weight since I was in grade school. I was an obese child, teen and adult. Being obese leads to a lot of personal, medical and emotional issues. It has been like I said a battle. I have tried many, many, many diets. Anywhere from Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, green teas, diet pills, grapefruit diet, etc... You name it, I probably tried it. Some gave me some results, but over time led me back to where I started. Some didn't work at all and would upset me! I was looking for something to help, something that would give me that boost I needed to lose the weight.
I decided to look into the Lap-Band. I didn't want to go the surgery way, figured that would be taking the easy way out, but as Chris said to me "What if it is what works for you?" "What if you are successful with it?" It got me thinking. Does it matter? Does it matter if it gets me to where I need to be and allows me to lead a healthy life? I then made the decision that it didn't matter. So I signed up to go to a seminar about the Lap-Band in January 2008. Chris joined me for it, he is so supportive. After the seminar Chris and I sat down and discussed the benefits of possibly doing this. We decided it was well worth everything. Thankfully our insurance covered the procedure. I just had to follow a six month diet with my doctor and jump through a few hoops. By August 2008 I was approved for surgery and had a date set for August 28, 2008. I was so excited. This marked the beginning of a new journey. Here are pictures of me the morning of surgery (I usually wear contacts, but had to wear my glasses that morning.):
Having the Lap-Band has made me eat smaller meals (I only have three 4oz. meals a day.) I fell fuller longer and I am able to enjoy life without being or thinking about being hungry. The food I eat has changed too. Carbs are harder to process through the band, so I don't eat a lot of carbs. No more soda pop, carbonation can stretch out the stomach the band creates. So a few changes in what goes in the mouth mixed with exercise and I have the "me" of today (almost 12 months later.) Here are some pictures to show you the change:
It has been an exciting journey, but it doesn't end here. I have started training to run 5Ks, my goal is to run one in the fall. I have been asked to speak at my doctor's local Lap-Band seminar in September (the same one I went to, to begin my process.) Losing the weight is what I wanted to do before Chris and I added to our family. I'm not where I want to be yet, but it is exciting knowing that when we do have kids I will be around to enjoy them and be able to keep up with them.
So here's to 100+ pounds gone and to the ones that will be gone soon!
