Along with the health issues I had and wanting to look better, I also had the surgery as an example to by daughter. She is 22 years old and seriously overweight. I am worried about her future and her health. Since I was banded, I cook healthier foods (some even lap band recipes), that my family enjoys. I do not purchase sodas or any other "bad" foods. Everyone can eat what I prepare, or go out for anything else they wish to eat. One great thing about the surgery is I am rarely hungry. If I have a taste for something that is not "good", I taste it and move on. I don't think my daughter will have the surgery, but now I don't think she'll need to. Both she and my husband are exercising and making much better food choices. Our entire family is healthier and looking better, and for that, I am truly grateful.
I can hardly believe that I decided to pursue the lap band in late January of this year. I am so thankful that I'm living during a time when this option is available to me. I followed through with everything that was asked of me by my doctors. I was even skeptical when the doctor's office called to schedule my surgery date, as the doctor's office handled all my insurance issues. I was banded on 6/27/11. It seems like my life began again this year, even though I will be 50 years old in September. Looking forward to the rest of my journey and a new way of life.