More About Me...

    I was a thin, active child until puberty hit, then WHAM! I started eating and packing on the pounds.  My biggest issues are portion control, emotional eating, and my love of carbs! I have been dieting since I was 15. Some diets I've tried: Cabbage Soup Diet, Atkins, South Beach, SlimFast, DexaTrim, Dr. Bob's Weight Loss, Weight Watchers, Nutrisystem, OverEaters Anonymous, and even hypnosis! I lost weight on many diets, but never had the follow-through, and often gained back more than I lost.
   My weight crept up and up until reaching an all-time high of 250lbs at the age of 42. Heart disease and cancer run in my family, and I had gestational diabetes which puts me at higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life. I had to de-rail this train.
    I chose the LapBand procedure because
 a) it's adjustable. I like knowing that if I lose weight too quickly, or get sick, the LapBand can be reduced in size. Likewise, if I'm not losing weight, more fluid can be added to the band.
 b) it's minimally invasive. That's the 'Lap' part: laparoscopic. Me likey.
 c.) the band produces satiety. Hmmm. A way to make my stomach think it's full? Sign me up.  
 d.) there are no malabsorption problems. No parts are cut from me-- I still have my full digestive tract. 
And  e.) it's reversible. If something scary happens and I want it out, this can be done. 
   Deciding on weight loss surgery is not easy. You have to weigh the pros and cons and decide what is right for you. Interview your physicians/healthcare team. Read the blogs, but remember, for every point made there is a counter-point. Know what is expected of you. We all know this is no 'Magic Bullet', but do we truly know the post-op and maintenance expectations?
   Thank you for sharing in my journey!