We've lost a combined total of 200 pounds with the Lap-Band! (Laura) As a couple,
my husband Tony and I have been successful in many areas of our life, business,
financially... But we could just not seem to control the one aspect of losing weight.
I myself was seriously overweight for about 3 quarters of my life, from junior high
on. I had tried so many different weight loss programs - nothing but up and down,
yo-yo dieting. Before we had Lap-Band surgery, I could hardly do any kind of physical
exercise, spend time with our children, or roll around with our grandkids. It became
really important to both of us to be able to do more physical activities and participate
more in the things that we enjoyed - like bicycle riding, going on walks - things
we just weren't doing because of our weight. Finally, we decided that we needed
to do something significant to change our lives. We decided to have surgery at DayOne
because we knew we wanted to have the Lap-Band procedure and felt like we were being
treated like individuals there. I just didn't have that comfort level or level of
communication that I had with the DayOne staff and the doctors with anyone else.
When we first went together to the infosession at DayOne, it was very informative
and we understood exactly what we were getting in to with the procedure. We were
told all about the Lap-Band surgery, what would happen, how long it would take for
recovery, and what the doctors would expect from us before the procedure. They covered
the different tests that we would have to go through in preparing for surgery and
also what would happen to us after surgery. When we went for our consult we met
with the surgeon that would be doing the surgery. We also met with a nutritionist
and the dietician, the nurse, and other people at the facility letting us know what
the procedure would be like and what to expect in having some of the tests done
prior to the surgery. The day of my surgery Tony came with me. I had surgery and
a few hours later, I was able to go home. After I got home, believe it or not, I
actually did some laundry and had a very comfortable evening! It was very easy -
I couldn't believe the recovery time... it was a matter of a couple days and I was
up and about and back to doing my normal routine. Tony had a similar experience
with his surgery - it was just very easy for both us. Since our Lap-Band surgeries,
we've been successful at losing the weight and keeping it off. In the first 12 months
alone I lost 75 pounds and Tony lost 85. Since our weight loss, the quality of our
life has improved in every aspect! The Lap-Band has been a great tool in helping
us lose the weight, we can still do the things used to do - and even more. (Tony)
All my life I've been always around food, especially because I am Italian. So, every
circumstance, every occasion, always revolves around food and finally with the Lap-Band
surgery, I am able to control the food and the food doesn't control me. I am still
able to go out to dinner, I am still able to enjoy food - the only thing that has
changed is that I am able to control the quantity I eat. And now I can also do more
physical activity - bicycle-riding and walking along Lake Michigan. Things I couldn't
do before losing weight. (Laura) I really enjoy entertaining, and having friends
over and everything, of course, is centered around food. But with the Lap-Band I
feel like I'm not sacrificing any of those aspects. I still enjoy entertaining:
we still have a lot of our friends over and do barbeques, we have formal little
dinners and still have a lot of company over. I can enjoy friends and family without
being focused on food and eating. Since losing the weight, I must say that it is
great being able to go out to the store, any store, and fit into a smaller size
of clothing and buy something off the rack and not have to worry about how it looks
or fits. Even though I've always taken good care of myself you just don't have the
same fulfillment of feeling beautiful and looking nice - losing the weight has
just impacted my life and how I feel about myself tremendously. And, since losing
the weight, Tony has become quite a shopper himself! (Tony) Laura looks fantastic,
she always looked fantastic, but she is just really fantastic right now. And, I
still sometimes can't believe the improvements that we have both made in our life
through this surgery. I still kind of have to pinch myself once in a while just
to say "hey, is this real?" I wish I would have done this a long time ago. It is
the best thing I've ever done in my life! (Laura) Like Tony, I only wish I had done
it sooner - I wish I would have had a picture of myself now put in front of me and
said "Laura, you really need to change your life and you need to do something about
it". The Lap-Band has totally changed our lives.