evatatiana

I finally hit rock bottom with my weight, weighing 277 lbs....the heaviest ever in my life...even heavier than when I was pregnant with my daughter 18 years ago!  Being so overweight was deteriorating my health...right  hip with arthritis, lower back disc operation, high blood pressure, snoring and yes, even depression....that was me this past summer 2009. Then, I decided that all my health problems were really caused by my #1 problem:  being overweight.  For years, I had tried all types of diets and failed.  My biggest fear was being told one day that I was a diabetic. I decided to go see Dr. De La Cruz and start the process for approval of my lapband right after I went to his seminar.  I knew that I was ready and would do all I could to get this much needed help that would eventually save my life.Waiting those six months, going to see my doctors, having all the required tests done, seeing the psychologist and nutritionist...it all took a lot of planning and dedication but I kept concentrated on the prize...my lapband surgery!  In December when I got my approval, I was sooooooooooo happy!  Then, when I was told that the surgery was scheduled for January 19, 2010 (only 4 days before my birthday!!!) I really believed that this was the best ever birthday present that I could receive.  The toughest days were those first few days pre-operation when I had to give up caffeine and start the Full Liquid Diet.  What saved me were the Protein Shakes, 100% Whey from GNC!  They have great taste and really help me not feel hungry.  Then, came the day before the surgery...I was getting some cold feet when you read all the info on the internet about what could go wrong during surgery...but then, all surgeries have risk...living in general is a risk even just driving a car...so the bottomline is that continued with my firm belief to have this surgery and excellent tool to help me lose weight at last.Before the operation I lost 12 lbs!! and from the operation date January 19, 2010 until today, Feb. 4, 2009, I lost another 11 lbs., for a total of 23 lbs. in one month!!More importantly, I lost 2 dress sizes...from 22W to 18W... and have definitely seen a very big improvement in my hip arthritis pain!  It is much less specially when you consider that losing one lb. of fat is equivalent to removing 4 lbs. of weight from your hip!  I am losing slower now...having difficulties eating slowly, however, I am scheduled to go see my doctor on Feb. 19th and get my first fill.  This should be the real test to see how I feel and start eating when the lapband is adjusted for the very first time.  I feel wonderful and look sooooo much better with this initial loss!  My goal is to lose 100 lbs. more for at least a 123 total weight loss by end of 2010.And I also hope that losing 123 lbs. will make me feel brand new as I take off almost a whole person's weight from my back and bones!I know that I am on the right road to find a solution to my lifetime weight problem.  It is not sugars nor sweets that I crave...my issue has always been eating big portions and eating fast.  The lapband is my only hope to control the portion sizes as well as the speed with which I am used to eat.Can't wait until Xmas 2010 when I will be at my goal weight and truly celebrate the new me!Evatatiana