Gloria’s Lap Band Success Story
I have battled obesity as long as I can remember. I vividly recall the pain and embarrassment of being weighed in my elementary school gym, praying that the school aide would not announce my weight for everyone to hear.
I started dieting at the age of 10. My days were defined as good or bad by what I ate and how my clothes fit. I have been on every diet you can think of; I took diet pills for years; I cannot remember a year when I didn’t gain or lose at least 40 or 50 pounds. My hunger never went away.
I was an overweight (okay, fat) child, an overweight teen, and an overweight adult. I spent my life yo-yoing. For me, dieting was like holding my breath; eventually I had to come up for air. The irony is that except for my battle with weight, I’ve been successful at everything I’ve ever attempted. I’m very fortunate. I have a great marriage, two wonderful children, and true friends, and I’ve enjoyed a successful career as an executive in Fortune 100 companies. But no matter how hard I tried, I could never take off the weight and keep it off. I wasn’t stupid and I wasn’t lazy. I was tired of doctors telling me that I need to eat less and exercise more …
that's me on the left when I was 16 with my sister and parents
Finally, I’m in control and winning the battle with my weight. I am in great shape and great health because on August 16, 2006, I got a Lap-Band. With the help and support of a great team I learned how to use this amazing tool. It’s been hard work; I’ve had my ups and downs, and it certainly wasn’t the “easy way out.” Would I do it again? In a heartbeat! My only regret is that I didn’t get my band sooner! And, there really wasn’t anyone to speak with me about it in a safe, comfortable way.
When I decided to get my band, I didn’t tell anyone except for my husband and a few close friends. I was afraid I would fail again. I was afraid of the stigma associated with being obese and “resorting” to weight loss surgery.
I have been maintaining a healthy, normal weight for nearly two years now. I am now the fit girl at the gym. I am the active mom at school, I am the confident presenter in business, and I am a more loving wife, because I no longer carry the burden of my weight on my body and in my heart. I am a different person today, and I love “Banded Living™ I feel confident that I will be able to maintain a normal weight for the rest of my life.
With my mentor in her old pants!
My goal here is to help others by sharing my story and my personal experiences. My deepest personal hope is that you will find something in my journey that is useful to you and the people you care about.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
great site great story
Wow…you look awesome ..congrats. I look forwards to exploring your site. thanks
You are truely and inspiration. Thanks for sharing your site.
I can’t wait to read more!
I had my band in 2007. Maintained well. But I finally figured out around six months ago that I was using my band right. I always had it too tight. I felt that I shouldn’t really be able to eat. Just soups and stuff. I was hungry all the time and I did eat a lot of ice cream because it went down so well. I had my band loosened and am eating vegetables again. I love it. I have nails again. My hair had really thinned out and my nails were so thin they would not grow. Lean meats, fruits veges, and whole grains are back in my life and so good.
I have learned that the band is a tool, not a starvation devise!
Lisa J
Lisa, thank you so much for your post. I was actually sitting in Dr. Billy’s office with him as he was reading me your post. I think I am in the same situation you were in. I have been out for a year now but not really losing anymore weight. I usually only eat soup and cottage cheese (and chocolate-because that went down like ice cream) and have been staying away from the more solid foods because they were more likely to get stuck. I am making an appt with Dr. B’s office and am going to have some of my fluid remove and see if that change will help me in my weight loss.
Thanks for your post and story. I agree, this is a great website!
i got yur site info from a client i spoke to in th dr office…i am so glad i found this
Lisa & Debbie I had a friend who was in a similar situation to yours and she is trying to talk me into gastric, but now having read your comments I know that the band is right for me!
Gloria~
Thanks for your story and encouragement. After several months and an original denial by my insurance company, I am scheduled for surgery 6/30. Lately I’ve been second guessing myself on weather or not I should follow through with it mainly because of all the discouraging information I keep reading about banding. I couldn’t believe how difficult it was to find someone’s story who wasn’t through the band companies themselves so I was pleasantly surprised to find yours. Then, in reading your story, it sounded so similar to my own I had to keep reading. I too weigh in the 230’s, have a wonderful husband and 4 beautiful children. I know that my weight and body image play a large role in me not living my life to the fullest. Thank you for sharing your story and encouraging us who are still early in the process!
Thanks so much for this site and sharing your stories. I have had my band since Nov 2009. A few months ago I had my last fill that made me feel like
throwing up at just about every meal or I just didnt feel like eating anything.
I finally had a little fluid taken out of my band and now I feel much better. I hope I start losing again. I have lost 85 so far and very happy about it. My story sounded just like yours. I have three grown boys and have tried to lose and more importantly maintain a consistent weight loss. I want to learn to
eat more healthy and be happy and content with it. Thanks again!