Dustielee

I have been "big" all of my life.  I guess it didn't get "out of hand" until I graduated high school.  Over the years it has just slowly but steadily increased.  In Oct. of 2004 I had a "stroke like episode" which I believe was my wake up call.  I was told that my birth control pills had more than likely contributed to the episode, so I stopped them immediately, 6 months later I was pregnant.  My pregnancy was considered high risk and ended in a 3 weeks early induction, emergency c-section and my son staying in NICU for 4 days and 4 nights because he had fluid on his lungs.  Also, my c-section scar would not heal on it's own (I was told it was because of my weight) so I had to wear a Would Vac for 6 weeks of my 8 week maternity leave.  After becoming a Mom, I realized how important it was for me to be around, and be healthy, as long as possible, so I began to seriously research and pursue weight loss surgery.  My husband and I settled on the band vs gastric by pass because of the less invasiveness of the surgery and the lesser risk.My first band was placed on July 8th, 2008.  We eventually found that it had a leak,  It was replaced on April 3rd, 2009.  Since the first band I have lost a total of 85 lbs (as of April 2010).  My goal is to lose about 75 more pounds.