Richard
I came to OH in early 2003 looking for information on weight loss surgery. My obesity was ruining my health, within a short time I was diagnosed with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and sleep apnea. When my PCP called to add diabetes to the list, I knew the decision about surgery was made.
I decided on the LapBand and had an uneventful surgery and recovery. My weight came off slow but sure. In a short time all my medical problems were resolved, even my diabetes is gone. I went from 11 pills a day to 1. During this time my main support was from the LapBand forum at OH.
As my health and strength returned I found new strength in an old dream. After a year of planning and 6 months training I joined an expedition and became the first person from Massachusetts to ski to the North Pole.
Going to the North Pole was a childhood dream of mine, right along with going to the moon. A good friend tells me that sometime around 1980, I claimed that I was going to the North Pole and into space. So I am one-for-two now (well, really one-for-three because number two is now the South Pole).
Arriving at the Pole was far more rewarding than I imagined. I was prepared for the ice and the cold and the joy of reaching our destination. I was not prepared for the wonderful people I would meet, and the ways by which making their acquaintance would make the trip even more incredible.
I was coincidentally able to meet some wonderful, adventurous people who accepted me as an equal. It was the trip of a lifetime. My wife said that for the first time in my life, I was rendered speechless when I tried to explain the experience.
Update:
In December of 2006 I traveled to Antarctica and skied 70 miles to the South Pole. The cold was incredible, dropping to 37 degrees below zero (without the wind chill) and wind speeds up to 60 mph. I got frostbite on my face and have lost the feeling in my finger tips due to nerve damage.
It was very rewarding to reach the pole but I can not say it was fun.
In December of 2007 I am going back to Antarctica to climb Vinson Massif, the highest mountain in Antarctica. In 2009 I will become an Astronaut when I fly into space with Virgin Galactic. I have purchased ticket number 40.
However the best news is that my blood sugar is completely normal without medication.
update 12/31/2007
I just returned from mountain climbing in Antarctica. I am the first amateur climber to summit Mount Knutzen. I attempted to climb Mount Vinson, the highest peak in Antarctica, but we were pinned down in our tent near the summit by a blizzard for 5 days. Then we were forced to walk down in 100 mph winds because the tent was coming apart and we were out of food. So no Vinson summit but a fantastic adventure.
Next Month I will be traveling to Philadelphia to get on the Virgin Galactic centrifuge as part of my Astronaut training. I hope to fly in in a few years.
Update September 2013
The band is no longer working. I have gained back 60 pounds, most of it in the last couple of years. I will have revision to RNY in January of 2014. I have no complaints about my band. It worked well for about 8 years and changed my life for the better. I believe the band was the best answer for me 10 years ago and I believe the bypass will be the best answer for me now.
