Couples with Lap Band

[Frank 2]

I was ask if we would share our story about a couple going through lap band journey together. I usually do short posts, but this one is long.

In 2002 I weighed 409lbs and Debbie was at 314lbs. We decided something had to be done about our weight problems. We went to a gastric by-pass Doctor in Lexington KY. Debbie was approved for surgery because she was a diabetic and had very high blood pressure. A couple weeks before surgery our insurance made an across the board ruling not to cover any more weight loss surgery. We did not know where to turn.

We begin a two year diet of very low carbs. Both of us lost weight. I lost 91lbs and Debbie lost 42lbs in the first year, but after dieting another year and losing nothing we knew we had to do something to reduce our food intake.

Again we considered weight loss surgery. Knowing our insurance would not pay we begin checking on the prices in our area. The lap band was $17,000.00 per person and this was just more than we could do. We begin checking on the internet and found out that in Mexico they did the Lap Band surgery in several cities and that we both could have surgery for less than one could in the states.

After a lot of research we decided to go to Monterrey and have surgery with the Doctor Sanchez. We made all the necessary contacts with Ready4Achange and with the help of their staff, Judy and Janet, we completed the paperwork and were off to Mexico in only three weeks.

On October 3rd 2004 we flew from Chicago to Monterrey. We were met at the airport and taken to the doctors guest house. Later that night alma, the doctor's assistant, took us to the hospital to meet the doctor. We were so impressed with the hospital and the doctor. We went back to the guest house for a good nights sleep.

The next morning Alma took us to the hospital. Dow had surgery at 8 AM and Debbie at 10AM. We were both up and walking that evening. The walking helped with the gas used in Laproscopic surgery. We both did well. Debbie did have problems with reflux, but we were able to leave the hospital the next morning.

We went back the guest house. We spent most of the day walking and talking to other surgery patients staying at the guest house. The next morning we flew home. The soreness was getting better everyday. Debbie still struggled with reflux for around three days, but things did get better. In the first week we, together, lost a total of 33lbs. At 6 months post-op We were down 102lbs together. We love doing this together. We are now 2 ½ years post-op We have lost over 300lbs from our top weight. Dow has gone from a size 60 suit to a size 44-46. Debbie has gone from a size 30 dress to a 10-12.

It has been great to go through this journey. Debbie has been such great support. She loves to cook and it helps eating at home. You can fix what is right for you to eat. When we go out we often eat the wrong foods. Just to be honest we both hate exercise and are still planning on getting in the habit of it, but since neither of us encourages the other we just don’t do it. One of the ways we reward each other is clothing gifts. This year for Christmas I bought Debbie 10 new outfits and new leather jacket. I got a new suit and several outfits. We just enjoy looking better in our clothes and enjoy buying for one another. On the personal side because of diabetes, high blood pressure and just be so large our romance had slow down a lot. As we lost weight, got healthier and just felt better we have return to honeymoon romance and we enjoy just going on a date. We have always had a great marriage so I’m not acting like this saved our marriage. I think our marriage saved of lives. I can’t think of any negatives about going though this together. Looking back on it I am glad that we had no major complication in Mexico, because no one went with us I’m not sure if we could have done much to help the other seeing we both had just had surgery, but Thank God all went well. I do wish we had a local support group just to ask, we mostly depended on forums like this to answer our questions. We did make mistakes, but we are still learning. Sorry about my typing. I’m a preacher not a writer.

[myfoursons 0]

Your story is great and very inspring. Congrats to your wife for reaching goal, too. You both have done great.

[TracyinKS 7]

Thank you Dow for your inspiring story!!!!!

[ethansgrandma 0]

Thanks Dow, you two look great. My husband and I also went thru lap bands together. I was banded 03/06 and he was banded 04/06. together so far we have lost 295 lbs. you two keep up the good work, i absolutely agree that it is been a wonderful experience doing it together.

Peggy

[*susan* 1,709]

Thank you so much for sharing your story, it is great that you two could go through the process together. And, you both look absolutely wonderful!!! :clap2:

[niecyrenee 2]

Your story is very inspiring! Thanks for sharing it with us! The love that you two share and the commitment to helping one another lose the weight is beautiful. You both look amazing! Congratulations!

[faithmd 14]

Thank you for sharing your story. I think I am going to discuss this with my husband and hope he can get banded as well. He has different insurance than I do. Actually he has his, plus mine as a back-up but his approves a lot faster than mine does (Aetna PPO Plus 3 or 6 months, mine is 12 months).

It would be really nice to do this together.

[Frank 2]

Peggy do you and your husband have pictures on here. That is amazing weight loss.

[lapbandliz 0]

My husband is also a pastor. I had my surgery on 2/19/07 and his is scheduled for this Monday, 3/19/07. I hope we will both be as successful as you both have been. It will certainly be much easier since we will be going through this together and eating the same foods. How has your church family handled all this? Congratulations to both of you! I'm so happy for you!

[Frank 2]

I'm so glad for you and your husband. It was never an issue at our church. We never told anyone until it was done. So it was to late for them to say anything. I have just moved and started a New church so for these people they never knew us pre-surgery. You can visit our church web site at www.occ1.com. We bought an old church that had closed.

I pray God's blessings on you and your husband.

Dow Moses

[Daisalana 33]

What a great story and you guys look great!