Elled2
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Lap-banded and no where to go.
I got my lap-band at the age of 21 after my mother's heavy influence to undergo the surgery. She, herself, had gotten a band just 4 months prior. I began dieting at the age of 12. My mother spent her entire life being overweight and unhappy with herself. She spent her whole life dieting and as a result I have spent my entire life dieting. Together, my mother and I only ever participated in two activities: eating and dieting. Quite the contradiction I know.
My weight has always been in constant flux. At one point I was a size 18 pant and over 210 lbs. I am 5'4 in height. I was overweight and stuck in the cycle of dieting and failing. 8 months after my lap band surgery took place, my practice in Toronto closed it's doors due to bankruptcy. I no longer had access to fills, de-fills, the promised psychology sessions, the physiotherapy, the personal trainer, the dietitian, the doctors... the professional support system. At the age of 20 I was too financially strained to afford such luxuries; especially when in debt to my parents for the $17000.00 cost of the surgery and my post-secondary education to expense. I was lap-banded and had no where to go.
Three years later, I still have my lap-band and together 'him' and I are getting along quite well. I learned how to give myself fills and de-fills with the help of one of the clinic staff that has aided the patients of the practice with the transition of having resources to not.
Having a lap-band is a commitment, a struggle, and is in no way 'taking the easy way out'. There are positives and negatives to my band. But, like many other that have been 'banded' it is important to stay positive and know that you are not struggling with weight alone.
I have lost 60 lbs and have maintained that weight loss. I bounce around with 10 lbs that my body seems to fluctuate between. Overall, the experience with my band has been OK. I have spoken to many 'banders' and have aided my mother with her own band fills and de-fills. But the ultimate lesson I have learned through this process is to stay positive and love yourself.
My mind is burned with the memory of what it is like to be overweight despite being 135 lbs. The knowledge of being unhappy with yourself will follow you despite your weight loss if you do not open your mind to spiritual growth as well as physical loss.
Always up for a chat! With love, LD
I got my lap-band at the age of 21 after my mother's heavy influence to undergo the surgery. She, herself, had gotten a band just 4 months prior. I began dieting at the age of 12. My mother spent her entire life being overweight and unhappy with herself. She spent her whole life dieting and as a result I have spent my entire life dieting. Together, my mother and I only ever participated in two activities: eating and dieting. Quite the contradiction I know.
My weight has always been in constant flux. At one point I was a size 18 pant and over 210 lbs. I am 5'4 in height. I was overweight and stuck in the cycle of dieting and failing. 8 months after my lap band surgery took place, my practice in Toronto closed it's doors due to bankruptcy. I no longer had access to fills, de-fills, the promised psychology sessions, the physiotherapy, the personal trainer, the dietitian, the doctors... the professional support system. At the age of 20 I was too financially strained to afford such luxuries; especially when in debt to my parents for the $17000.00 cost of the surgery and my post-secondary education to expense. I was lap-banded and had no where to go.
Three years later, I still have my lap-band and together 'him' and I are getting along quite well. I learned how to give myself fills and de-fills with the help of one of the clinic staff that has aided the patients of the practice with the transition of having resources to not.
Having a lap-band is a commitment, a struggle, and is in no way 'taking the easy way out'. There are positives and negatives to my band. But, like many other that have been 'banded' it is important to stay positive and know that you are not struggling with weight alone.
I have lost 60 lbs and have maintained that weight loss. I bounce around with 10 lbs that my body seems to fluctuate between. Overall, the experience with my band has been OK. I have spoken to many 'banders' and have aided my mother with her own band fills and de-fills. But the ultimate lesson I have learned through this process is to stay positive and love yourself.
My mind is burned with the memory of what it is like to be overweight despite being 135 lbs. The knowledge of being unhappy with yourself will follow you despite your weight loss if you do not open your mind to spiritual growth as well as physical loss.
Always up for a chat! With love, LD
Age: 33
Height: 5 feet 4 inches
Starting Weight: 210 lbs
Weight on Day of Surgery: 200 lbs
Current Weight: 143 lbs
Goal Weight: 130 lbs
Weight Lost: 67 lbs
BMI: 24.5
Surgery: LAP-BAND
Surgery Status: Post Surgery
First Dr. Visit: 06/01/2013
Surgery Date: 05/14/2013
Hospital Stay: 1 Day
Surgery Funding: Self Paid
Insurance Outcome: n/a
