Thanks for sharing - I had the band back in 07 and now my Dr is suggesting for me to try something else. Since I know have health issues from the band, I cannot get any more fills and well I believe the sleeve is something I would like to have.
I joined this site to get information and get educated.
again thanks for sharing--
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quote name=Suzannesh' timestamp='1306384220' post='155432]
Hi,
I must have talked myself in and out of having WLS for at least 2 years before I had it. I kept thinking, if I get a trainer and go to Weigh****chers I can do this myself. It was also about spending $$. Then I had a very close friend that I worked with who had WLS. I started to get more serious about it after asking her at least a 200 questions. She was very patient with me--thank you Kristi. Her suggestion was for me to do some research on my OWN and see what I could come up with. That started my 6 month journey into WLS and all the kinds that were available. I also realized I was worth the $$ I was about to spend.
So I just didn't wake up one morning and say I am having WLS. By the time I made my choice and where I was going to have it done, I had spent a lot of time educating myself. That is important to do.
As we all know there is always risk involved when it comes to ANY kind of surgery, so I considered that, and said to my husband (boyfriend) at the time that I wanted to have WLS. He was there 200% for me. He loved me just the way I was and it didn't matter to him that I was fat.
I was doing this for me and NO one else.
The 1st month was the hardest month I had to do after having WLS--I had the sleeve by the way. I started to see the weight come off. I had my ups and downs like stalling for 9 days in a row without any weight loss, lost some of my hair (yes it comes back), had to deal with constipation. Tried foods I never ate much of before and learned I loved them now. Learned how to cook differently--healthy. And most of learned that exercise was something that I actually enjoyed doing.
Would I tell someone this is what they should do. It is an individual choice. But, what I can say is that diet and exercise as I knew it wasn't working for me. I did the Yo Yo--lose it gain it back thing. WLS was my tool to allow me to lose the weight. It took me 14 months but I lost 105 pounds.
I love my new healthy body and I feel sooooooooooooo much better and healthy and happy, and I have a zest for life. I only wished I would have done it years before. But, for me it was the right time. You have to have your head in the right place for it to work. This has to be for YOU and no one else.
If you have any question, please ask away. I am here to support and encourage you that you too can be successful. It is really normal to have all kinds of feelings and emotions especially right before the surgery.
Hugs, Suzanne