Gastric Banding Surgery, the beginning

Well, it has been a very long time! I'm sure there were things I could have been writing about, but just didn't. Now I am undertaking a new adventure and feel the need to bring you along on this journey. On January 14th, 2009 I will have a minor surgery. That is so funny to me, I mean really is any surgery minor? I will be having gastric banding surgery. Some refer to it as Lapband, however this is a brand and the brand I will be having implanted is called Realize, which seems rather appropriate for me. The gastric banding is a tool that I can use to help me control my hunger and my portions. I will still need to make wise choices and be very careful on how I chew my food.

I am very excited about this new chapter in my life and look forward to the changes that will come. I have been overweight for many years and have never been able to get control of it, so I truly pray (and I have done alot of that lately) that this is the tool I need for success.

I began this journey back in October when I went to have lunch with my niece at her school. I arrived a little early and went to the cafeteria to wait for her. I proceeded to sit on what I can only described as a small saucer stuck on a post...

These work well for children, but when introduced to middle age overweight adults, you are looking for disaster. I sat down and within seconds the saucer crumbled and fell to the floor. Being the athletic person I am I was able to catch myself before being tarpooned by the remaining pole. I was humiliated! My face was as red as Rudolph's nose and tears were beginning to form in my eyes. I laughed of course to try and ward off any real humiliation and the roomful of middle and high schoolers laughed with me. The teachers reassured me that it happens more often than I'd think and not to worry about it and the cafeteria worker instructed me to throw the pieces away in the trash. I had turned over the "diet" coke so I asked for a rag to clean it up. Once I cleaned up my mess, I stood away from the tables to wait on my niece. I still was fighting back tears and noticed that the kids were still whispering and pointing at me, which of course only made me feel even more embarrassed. I began to think of my niece and the humiliation she may feel if she entered and noticed everyone pointing and laughing our way and I couldn't take it any longer. I went out to the hallway to wait on her and once she arrived I lost it. I cried like a baby and explained to her in short form what had happened and that I just couldn't have lunch with her. I left and immediately went home to look up when the next seminar was on weight loss surgery. It was the next day. I went and listened to the Doctor discuss the different alternatives for weight loss surgery and decided on gastric banding. It is less evasive and reversible, if need be, than gastric bypass surgery. I filled out paperwork and the process began. They got in touch with my insurance company, I saw my regular Doctor and gathered records from her and the rest as they say is history. I'm getting ready to have surgery.

I do not tell you this story for you to feel sorry for me, only for you to know where the breaking point was. I am responsible for the shape I am in and I am responsible on how I improve it. Nowhere and noone can do that for me. I appreciate all your support and prayers and definitely will keep you posted. Here is a picture of me now and I will periodically post pictures along the way.