livypowell1978@yahoo.com

I have struggled with my weight my whole life, as I am sure many of you have.  I was born into a family that loves to eat, and who has trouble with obesity and diabetes.  As I was a young child trying to learn where I fit into the world, my weight crept upon me, especially beginning in about Kindergarten-- I spent many days at school, being teased- being called "fat" and "butterball."  It was very painful as a young child to have so many people be so cruel. I learned how to "deal" with these people by ignoring them.  In junior high, I was still considered big, but I was beginning to try to watch what I ate, going on my first real diet at age 11.  It was the 1000-Calorie Diet-- my mother was always trying to find ways to help me.  I got to where I felt like I "fit" in with my peers, and felt like I had everything to live for-- I was enjoying music, and loving that I was not feeling as "big" as I had in elementary.  In High School, I was involved in plays, musicals, and I was very busy.  My family was on another diet- 20 grams of fat, 1200 Calories/ day.  I did very well, and my family became as active as they ever were.  We walked as a family and helped each other out.  We all lost weight-- I lost about 70 lbs., and was feeling so great- I felt beautiful for the first time in my life.    I attended college, began putting some weight on. Then, I got married, and more weight crept in, but atill, I felt beautiful and desirable.  When I got pregnant in 2001 was when I began to put on the serious weight.  During my pregnancy, I gained 100 pounds. My highest weight until that point was 305 lbs.  When I had my son, I got down to 260, but as he grew, I began to quit worrying so much about myself.  I wanted him to have everything, do everything, and everything I did, I did it for him. I would try to eat as healthy as possible, but we also went through some very stressful times with our finances and jobs, as well as with family.  I gained about 50 pounds through this time period, bringing me back to the weight I was before surgery.  I found myself weighing 307-317 pounds!  I could not believe myself!  At this point, I had a great job, my son was becoming somewhat independent, and I began wondering if LapBand was right for me.  So, I attended a meeting 2 years ago.  After that meeting, I still wasn't sure.  Then, this past March 2010, I began my LapBand journey-- I was going to a Dr. in my hometown-- the coordinator assured me that insurance would pay, but the insurance company did not come through- they would not pay for it to be done unless it was done in a facility that was on their list.  So, I went to AIBL in Austin, Texas. Dr. Sashi Ganta was my new surgeon-- within 2 hours of meeting him, I had a surgery date! I had done most of my pre-op procedures with the other Dr., so I just had a few things to take care of for my upcoming surgery. Within 3 weeks, I had completed my heart tests, and everything else that was necessary to have my surgery.  As the surgery approached, I was apprehensive, a little scared, but ready for my body to be transformed!  The surgery went smoothly, and so far, recovery is going well-- I have much support from family and friends.  I had lost 16 pounds prior to surgery, while I was on the pre-surgery diet.  Now, I am still recovering, so I have not been able to move as much as I want yet.  I want to become more active for myself and for my family.  Also, my family will be involved in a transformation as well.  We are going to start living a more healthy lifestyle.  I am looking forward to the prospects of our future.