leepizz

Hi, my name is Lisa and I had my lapband surgery done on June 3, 2008.  I have lost 70 lbs since my surgery and have 10 more to reach my goal. I have been overweight my entire adult life after getting hypothyroidism in college.  I was ashamed of how much weight I put on in 27 yrs and I hated how I looked and was miserable.   My Medical Dr. was trying to convince me about getting lap banded  for years (at least 3yrs)  since it is a less invasive weight loss surgery. Yes  I was scared to death. I told him if he does this with me I will do it.  Needless to say he too was scared.  So I kept on trying every weight loss gimmick that there is. I remember even getting body wrapped to lose weight!!!!!  Of course I loss weight, but no more than 20lbs if I was lucky and then put it back on real quickly.  I became very depressed. I now felt there was no hope in ever losing weight. I kind of gave up.  My health was getting affected. I started to be borderline high cholesterol and hypertension.  If I loss weight I wouldn’t have to start taking meds.   Then reality hit in my own family. My teenage daughter Lauren has been overweight since 12 years old; she is now 17.  She has been to fat camps for 3 summers and she lost a ton of weight every summer to only put it back on and more when she got home into the real world. They money I spent for the both of us to lose weight, I could have paid for her college and then some.  The cycle is now hitting her like it did me but only earlier in her life.  If I didn’t help her now what would she be like at my age of 47?????  In  January 2008 Lauren’s pediatrician said that I should serious think about getting Lauren lap banded, since it is a very safe way to help her take control and lose the weight. It is a tool to help cut portions down since sweets weren’t the issue.  Her BMI at the time was 42 and she started to take metiformin.  At the age of 16 she was very unhealthy and severely morbidly obese.  That is when I took the lap band system seriously for her and myself. I was ready and willing to commit to a new lifestyle change with this wonderful tool and there was no turning back.   We researched and started our journey in March of 08 to get healthy. We both had the support of each other getting all the appointments that needed to get done.  I was approved for June.  And the Friday before my surgery I found out Lauren was approved for July 8th.  The day of my surgery I knew I was doing the right thing for the both of us!!  I made a lifestyle change far beyond my original goal.  I went from a size 18 plus to a size 8 in clothes. I am so thrilled and still can’t believe that I can shop in “normal stores”.  I haven’t been this size since college. It is still unbelievable.  I have to remember that this is not a miracle pill, it is a WLS tool.  You have to follow the band rules and the weight does come off.  You must exercise every day which is now a new habit for me. I now run 2 miles a day.  Believe me I hated to exercise before and now I take a 1/2hr out everyday for ME so I can be successful. I never look back – my lap band keeps me in control of my life. I feel healthier and happier. I love my BAND!!!!