jdsrose07

I am a 54 year old female.  I have spent most of my life dealing with my weight but not in any grand manner.  The most it got out of hand was about 30 lbs.  I was able to exercise, cut my intake and loose the weight.  When I hit my 30's though I gained a lot of weight.  I went from 160 to 279 in a matter of months.  I was turned on to the Medi-Fast Diet and lost all the weight but that was when the roller coaster ride began.  I would keep the weight off for awhile and it would creep back on again.  I would go back on the Medi-Fast and loose the wieght again until I couldn't stand the Medi-Fast anymore.  Then the Phen-Phen rage happened and of course I was on board.  I lost the weight only to gain it back again, plus some.  I tried Weight Watchers, Nutri-System, diet pills....you name it.  It is easy for those on the outside looking in to say that those of us who struggle with weight issues just need to exercise some self control.  I would reply that we who struggle with our weight can out "self-control" the best.  We know how to diet.  The issue is making it stick permanently.  In recent years I began having other medical issues either related to or worsened by my being so overweight.  In March of this year I was sitting with a co-worker comisserating about being fat and she make the passing comment that she would get the LapBand surgery in a heartbeat if insurance would only pay for it.  On went the lightbulb for me as I have the great fortune to have excellent health insurance benefits through my husband and by August 12th I was banded.  I came to the decision on the LabBand because I was at a crossroads as so many are who opt for bariatric surgery.  I was having blood pressure issues and trouble walking not to mention the social matters that come with being very overweight.  I had tried Medi-Fast for the last time and I realized I was just out of "grit".  The stamina and will power I had when I was 30 and 40 and even at 45 was gone.  I was tired and I needed help.  Then I said a small prayer and asked God if this LapBand thing would be alright for me.  Shortly after that, on my way to work I happened to pop in a CD of my favorite preacher and low and behold he was talking about how when we get older, it's alright to need and to ask for help. He gave multiple Biblical examples but my favorite was the revelation that even Moses needed help when he got older. So here I am on the first steps of my journey and extremely grateful for the ability to get help.  My hope is that some where along the way I can return the good that has come my way.