Snady of Texas

I got my lapband on the 19th of August, 2010 after doing lots of homework.  I decided it was the least aggressive of all the weight loss surgeries and I know it is just a tool but it works for me.  I also know it is not a quick fix and it will only work for me if I work with it and not against it. We have to work as a team.  We do have our days that we don't get along and that is usually because of some decision I have made. If I had it to do all over again, I wouldn't change a thing.  I put this weight on slowly and I want it to come off slowly so as not to lose muscle mass and so that it is more likely to stay off.  There are no quick fixes.  There are some foods I really miss but over time you get used to it.  No more fast food.  I just use the money I save from fast food for skin removal.  At first when I got my lapband my husband started gaining weight because we were old school and you don't waste food.  Then we just started making less so he could lose weight too.  We have all small plates and dishes.  Just watch out for those flatware/silverware because they are still large and can cause you to still take too large of bites.  Silverware is still scaled for the large dinnerware, even salad forks are too large, Sand egg timers are great to slow you down because we all just eat too fast. Conversation at dinnertime is really nice.  It is really nice to bring back to the dinner table.  I love all the new things I have discovered I can do, that I couldn't do before.  My first major was being able to release the brake in the truck with my hand and not with my foot because my belly was not in the way anymore.  It is the little things that I have enjoyed the morst.  I was fortunate that my insurance company paid for my weight loss surgery, however, they did not pay for the skin removal.  I had a tummy tuck first to get the excess skin away from my vital organs one summer, then the next summer I had my wings and thighs done.  This was the reward I gave myself for all the hard work I had done.  If you ever have it done, make sure you get the pressure garments, they are expensive but so worth the final results, you wear them for 6 to 8 weeks and you get to hate them but the shape you get and the way your body heals, they are worth every penny.  When I got my first surgery I thought it was crazy, 2 garments at $70 each, but one you wear while you wash the other and the shape and support I got, I was so proud of the results after watching the TV shows showing people getting skin removal, they could have looked so much better had they had more than just ace bandages.  I am so fortunate to have found a great plastic surgeon in the same building as my family doctor who helped me find the surgeon who did my lapband.  I was nervous at first because I always felt plastic surgeons were for the pretty people, but mine is the most compassionate and has the best team of women who made the last part of my journey part of the best.  I still have some touch ups to do but I finally feel like even though I am in my 60s, I am special and I am worth it.  We always put others first and forget that we have value too.  So my advice to anyone is, look in the mirror and tell yourself, "I have value and I am number 1".  My journey has been over 5 years now but I hope it never ends, I am always learning new things about myself and how it is okay to put myself first  I have for sure waited my turn, I have been married to an amazing man for over 40 years. He has supported me every step of this journey and has had fun with me along the way.  We both look forward to the next 40 years of possibilities.  If you decide to take this journey or already have, I hope you find it to be the best for you.