Katie Hasen

Hello! I have been fighting doing bariatric surgery for a few years now, but my health has gotten to the point where I have started to take medication for pre-diabetic that is going to be diabetes quick and my weight is not starting to effect my ability to be active, which I am VERY active. So I have made the decision to make some serious inquiries and research into it. I know I want something that is reversible, because I want help with the weight loss, but I really want to maintain it on my own. I went to the seminar at our bariatric surgery center to learn about the different types and the two that I am very seriously considering is the Lap-band and the Gasteric Balloon. I would like to step away from the medical professionals and get some real life input on what people's experiences have been with both. Things I am looking for are... Alcohol consumption (I know its not recommended, but can I really not have a glass of wine here or there?? I take clients out on a regular basis and I enjoy a glass) The Balloon states pretty much no carbs and a lot of veggies are out. So am I going to a liquid and meat diet??? What about physical activity of each??? Are any of you playing sports like softball, basketball, volleyball after you have the surgery? Do you feel any lightheadedness doing these type of activities? Any other issues with contact sports? Anything else that you all are willing to share to help me make a decision I would really appreciate.

I love my life. I am not doing this because I need to look good in the mirror. I am doing this because my weight has started to effect my ability to live my life. I posted my question on here to hopefully get some opinions from people about how they live their life. My doctor is the one that told me about this site and told me to post to ask questions because he could only give me medical recommendations and medical responses. Shame on you for pointing out that I am obese when you don't even know the reasons why I am and for pointing out that if I want to lose weight I have to give up my life. That is what I don't want to do. And my doctor told me I shouldn't have to, but to ask the questions of people who have had the surgeries to find out how they live their lives the way I do. I never said I wanted to go out and get drunk. I am trying to understand what people's experience is with alcohol so I understand real life limitations, not medical recommendations. Also shame on your for telling me that I should not do the Balloon because of how much I weigh. I was not asking for an oppinion on which I should get. The doctor and I have been talking about both and are working on making the right decision for me. I asked for people to share experiences with me, not their opinions of me.