Weight Loss Surgery Directory

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Before & After

 
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Goals

Get rid of my cpap machine

102 People
 in progress, 
54 People
 achieved this

Cholesterol, tricglyerices, & blood sugar at normal levels

0 People
 in progress, 
1 Person
 achieved this

Buy clothes at a regular store...not a plus size store.

794 People
 in progress, 
592 People
 achieved this

Weight between 125-130lbs

28 People
 in progress, 
2 People
 achieved this
View The Goals Page
Member Interests

Jean M.'s Journey

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Describe your behavioral and emotional battle with weight control before learning about bariatric surgery.
I was 54 when I had my band surgery. I had struggled with my weight since I was 13. Tried every diet and medication known to man. My weight went up and down and finally just kept creeping up. When I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes and knew I had to get serious about my weight. I lost 28 lbs on the Diabetic Exchange Diet but as soon as I went off it, I gained it back plus more. I was so discouraged and almost resigned to being obese for the rest of my life.
Latest Surgery Support Comments

  • Comment by jacreasy on 8/16/12 6:58 am
    Good Luck, Keep Us Posted!!
  • Comment by Tracasa on 4/27/12 1:14 am
    Good luck and speedy recovery.
Click here for the surgery support page

Thanks to bariatric surgery and a great deal of work on my part, I lost 100% of my excess weight (90 lbs), greatly improved my physical and mental health, and am enjoying life more than I ever dreamed possible. In August 2010, I published Bandwagon, Strategies for Success with the Adjustable Gastric Band, and in September 2011 I published Bandwagon Cookery (over 180 WLS-friendly recipes, plus dozens of suggestions for planning and preparing delicious, healthy meals). For more info, go to jean-onthebandwagon.blogspot.com or e-mail me at jmcmillan159@gmail.com.


 

My Story

I'm a 59-yr-old writer & artist who's struggled with weight issues all my life.  I had lap-band surgery in September 2007.  It was the smartest thing I ever did for my health.  I lost 90 lbs from my highest weight, my co-morbidities lessened or disappeared, I have tons more energy and self-confidence, and for several wonderful years my band helped me manage my weight every day.

In early 2012, I had severe esophageal dilation that was cured with a complete unfill, but my surgeon strongly recommended removing my 4cc band, which she felt was too small and would be too tight even without fill in it. On 4/27/12 she removed my band but was unable to perform the sleeve revision I wanted because of a stricture at the base of my esophagus. A gastro doc was able to dilate the stricture and told me that my poorly functioning esophagus had been damaged by years of "silent" reflux (going back to the mid 1980's). On 8/16/12, my 2nd attempt at sleeve surgery was successful. I'm hoping that it will eventually become a useful tool in lifetime weight management, but at the moment I've got a lot of adjusting to do to get along with it.

In August 2010 published Bandwagon, a book about strategies for success with the adjustable gastric band, and a year later I published a companion book, Bandwagon Cookery. I have a Bandwagon support group on Facebook and I'm also the author of a novel, No Ransom, and 4 blogs:

Weight Loss Surgery - jean-onthebandwagon.blogspot.com (you can order Bandwagon here or at amazon)
Recipes - jeanslapbandjourney.blogspot.com
Dog Stories - 9dogshowling.blogspot.com
Artwork - collageartbyjean.blogspot.com

Note: Bandwagon can be purchased only from me (go to jean-onthebandwagon.blogspot.com and look for the credit card and PayPal purchase options on the left hand side of the page). Bandwagon Cookery can be purchased on Amazon, but you'll get a lower price by buying it from me.

One of the things that helps me succeed as a WLS patient is helping other people.  If you have any questions you don't feel comfortable posting on one of the OH forums, please send me a PM and I'll do my best to answer or point you in the right direction.