So Glad I Have the Band!

I was a chubby child and have struggled with my weight all my adult life. I have tried diet pills and every diet known to man. I was a volume eater who could out-eat my husband (who is 9" taller and does manual labor for a living) and go back for seconds at every meal. At 5'2" and age 50, I reached my all-time high weight of 221 lbs. I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and already had high cholesterol & triglycerides, joint pain, and stress incontinence. I couldn't walk for more than 5 min without getting out of breath and I was tired all the time. I was ashamed of my appearance but felt powerless to help myself. A friend of mine had RNY and I was terribly jealous of her success but was afraid of the risk and malabsorption involved with RNY. In the summer of 2007, I went to my bariatric surgeon's educational seminar and decided I was willing to make the long-term behavioral changes required for success with the band. I wanted not only to lose weight but improve my health and my relationship with food. During pre-op testing, I discovered that I have sleep apnea as well as the other co-morbidities.

My band surgery was 9/19/07. I had just turned 54 yrs old. I had no problems recovering and began losing weight slowly and steadily. I have had 4 fills (total 2.7 cc in a 4 cc band) and none of them hurt. At 3 mos post-op, my cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood sugar all tested normal and the setting on my CPAP machine was reduced from 12 to 7. In 7 mos, I have gone from a size 22/2X to size 14/L. I am able to walk 30 min/day and do weight training 5 days/week. At 146 lbs, I am only 16 lbs away from my goal weight. With the help of my band and my surgeon's excellent aftercare program, I am finally in control of my eating. I have increased energy and self-confidence.

I am so glad I got the band!