brandi91

I honestly never thought I would consider any type of Bariatric surgery until the last few months.  I am a nurse and I always said "oh I'd never do that"  Well, never say never.   As a child I was always chubby.  In my teens I really slimmed down, but I think that was because my stepdad was strict on 3 meals and 2 snacks a day. Also I was very active. Then in college and nursing school the weight issue started again . I was 180 when I met my husband. Well what do you do for dates in the winter in western PA? Dinner and movies.  Well lots of dinners later I was 220 when I got married. Now after 12 years of marriage, a 6 year old and a hectic life here I am at 258.  wow!In my adult years I have always been doing something to try and loose weight. I've seen dieticians, Did Weight Watchers many times, took Xenical. The list goes on and on. Not to mention the grapefruit diet,  cabbage soup diet,  Mayo clinic diet,ect.  Each time I would loose weight, but  would gain it back plus 10 more pounds. my last straw was January of '09. Our local hospital built an awesome gym and fitness center. I went 3-4 days a week..buring up to 1000 calories a workout while eating 1800 calories a day.  After 4 months I lost 9 pounds. I was discouraged. It seems my metabolism has just quit. Also in the past 3 years I lost my grandma who I so loved and my Mom and step-Dad are getting divorced after 25 years of marriage. How do I find comfort..food of course.  I am so busy during the day, I really dont over eat then. But once I get home from work in the afternoons, I am starved and probably consume most of my days calories after 3 pm. Plus, food is still the center of all family activities. Paties, picnics and going out to eat-its a constant battle.So on top of all this weight problem, I also have had high blood pressure since my early 20's, high triglycerides, high cholesterol, had gestational diabetes and  arthritis in my back. Now my A1C is elevated and my liver enzymes are abnormal.  I am nurse and I know this is all a fast tract to an early grave.  (just a side note...even at my lowest weight of 215 on weight watchers in 2006 my triglycerides were still over 300 on medications) I've finally realized I cannot do this on my own.I began doing alot of research on the lap band procedure. There is alot I like about it. Less invasive, less time off work. I know I will never look at food the same again. I am OK with that. I dont want to spend my next 40 years in this body. Right now its my only hope. If I could quit my job and go to the gym and work out all day I could loose the weight-but reality is I have a job, home life and going back to school. I have seen a bariatric surgeon and started my pre-op work up. I pray for insurance approval.My husband, family and close friends are 100% supportive. I admit I havent told alot people I work with about my decision. Some can be judemental. I know they will say "just diet and exercise" Well you know the saying...walk a mile in my shoes. I can show you every weight watcher journal, dietician consult and gym records.  I really just have to do whats best for me.Well I can say this has been theraputic for me!  thanks for letting me share my story.