Lori D.
I have been fighting my weight since I was 15 years old. Actually, I look back over photos and realize I was not as heavy as I always believed myself to be. I suppose that is part of the problem...I have been on a "diet" all of my life. But unlike some I was never successful at getting it off so the yo yo syndrome was never a problem for me. I managed to lose down to good size after the birth of my second child and actually lost 30 lbs two years ago. Both times Weight Watchers was the tool that helped me but I gained all of it back and then some.
Most of my weight gain was the result of my three pregancies at 60 lbs per baby. The topper was the asthma that I developed nine years ago and the tremendous amount of steroids used to get it under control.
I considered gastric bypass surgery five years ago but did not have the support of my husband and could not see myself taking the risks associated with that procedure. When I heard that the lap band had been perfected over the course of those five years to the point that it has been proven to be just as effective at five years post op as the bypass I decided I wanted to seriously research and consider it.
My children are now 16, 20 and 23. During Christmas break they approached me much as you would a drug addict with an intervention. They told me how worried they were about my weight and wanted me to lose it, even if it meant surgery. At first I was very upset but then realized how much love and concern it took to approach me on that sensitive subject. When my husband heard about "the talk" they had with me he decided he would be supportive of me having the lap band.
My family has been so supportive throughout the surgery. I couldn't or wouldn't have done it without that support. My daughters both traveled many miles to come home to be there with me the day of surgery. I am grateful to my kids for their courage in letting me know how they felt. It was that knowledge that was the motivation to do what I thought I would never be able to do. I am doing it for myself, but sometimes it helps to have a little extra motivation in reserve!
