Alyssa, Lost 111 lbs
My weight had fluctuated since I was 7 years old. I would lose weight, gain it back (and I always gained some more!). I was FINALLY tired of yo-yo dieting and was ready to seriously do something about it. In March 2009, I needed a seatbelt extender for the airplane. I could barely fit into stadium seats (my hips and thighs would be bruised)…My final breaking point - I was wearing baggy size 26/28 tops and had bought my first pair of size 24 pants. My lifelong dream has always been to be a mom - I wanted to be able to conceive and carry a healthy baby and be alive to see him/her grow up! How could I do this when I couldn’t ‘carry’ myself at 200 plus pounds?!I talked to my best friend’s neighbor who had the lap-band at DayOne Health in Chicago in March 2008; she said it was the best decision she ever made and would go through it all over again. I saw her transform into a healthier (and happier) woman and cut her weight in half, down to 140.
I checked with my insurance and the Lap-band was covered as a medical necessity. And it was definitely medically necessary for me (I had a BMI of 46 and was 100 plus pounds overweight) - I was uncomfortable and crabby, I was always hot and sweaty, I would get ‘winded’ going up a flight stairs, I woke up with aches and pains daily (one of my ankles would ‘give out’ at least once daily) and I suffered from acid reflux and depression. I didn’t want to live like this! In addition, I was susceptible for diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, etc.
My consultation appointment was in July (2009); I was at my heaviest – a whopping 284 pounds. I can’t believe I let myself get that heavy. I actually thought about getting the lap-band a year before I finally made my first appointment (WHY did I wait?!).
As expected, I was a little nervous on the day of surgery (I was ‘banded’ on October 7th, 2009). I had never had surgery before & didn’t know how things would go (surgery, complications, recuperation; but things went well!). The staff at DayOne Health was very nice and accommodating. It felt like I was surrounded by close friends. I didn’t have any complications and recouped right on schedule.
The first week after being ‘banded’ I didn’t feel great (and started to doubt my decision for about ONE second, until I realized how much more life has to offer a healthier me & how much I would have to offer life!) – each day I was feeling better and better (more like ‘myself’ again).
Food is no longer my comfort or ‘friend’ that I to turn to (like I used to). I have a different relationship with food and will always – and I am ok with that! I wanted to be able to LIVE, not just survive. I am SO happy now – and my health is improved tremendously. I no longer have aches, pains, sore knees and ankles; I do not get winded going up a flight of stairs anymore! I no longer have acid reflux nor do I suffer from depression. I am HAPPY!
I have lost 111 pounds (as of 12/15/2010) and am on my way to a healthy, trim 160 (for the first time since 1992!)! My BMI went down from a 46 to a 28, currently. I love getting my photo taken again! I receive nice compliments daily – it is so nice to hear again! I could never borrow clothes from my friends – now I can! I had to shop in the plus-size stores/sections previously, now I look forward to clothes shopping at the ‘regular’ size stores (NO more fat-lady stores for me – EVER!)! I love MYSELF again. I am SO happy and always smiling!
Now it hasn’t been a “smooth-sail” throughout the lap-band journey and I still have rough moments (where I eat or drink too fast or too much in a sitting). Your stomach will tell you when you have overdone it; you just have to listen to it! You don’t have to eat everything on your plate! Even with those rough moments, the lap-band was truly the BEST decision that I’ve ever made! My only regret, honestly, is not doing it sooner!
