Neal R.
Long over due
Oct 26, 2011
Well, I am active here and post some, but I realize I haven't updated my actual profile in several years! My bad. I am going to uplaod some new pics, as well. I had my 5 year "bandiversary" earlier this year. This is what I posted on my FaceBook page:FIVE years. Five years ago today, I was on my way to the hospital to change my life for the better. And what a journey it’s been. Today is the Five year anniversary of my Lap Band.
I have battled obesity my entire life. For those of you who know me from high school, you know I was always the friendly, chubby kid. I never felt picked on, but I always lacked self confidence because of my weight. That carried over through adulthood. I continued to gain weight. The usual yo-yo dieting –lose 30, only to gain back 40. Before I knew it, I had gotten up to close to 350 pounds. Like my dad always used to say about himself, I was always in good shape for the shape I was in. I was still fairly active. Played on the High School tennis team, etc. But on my last visit to the Dr.’s prior to Lap Band surgery, I was diagnosed with high blood pressure, borderline diabetes, and sleep apnea. That’s when I decided it was time to take my life back.
Many will say I took the easy way out by getting weight loss surgery. It’s not accurate and I really don’t care. There are several types of weight loss surgeries, all having success and I don’t advocate one over the other, other than to say the Lap Band was the right choice for me. It’s not easy. There is no magic potion to lose weight. I still have to eat the right foods and exercise. The Lap-Band is a great tool, but not a cure all. It’s easy to say “Just stop eating so much and exercise. It’s not rocket science”. I wish it were that easy. Do we tell anorexic people to just eat? Do we tell smokers to just stop? No, they are offered help for the physical and physiological struggles to overcome their situations. You can’t just quit eating and keep yourself from being around food, like you can tobacco or alcohol. You have to be around it to survive. There is a reason that over 90% of obese people who lose weight gain most or all of it back.
So I am writing this because I am not ashamed that I sought out help. I am living again. I can fit in a restaurant booth again. I ride rides at the Six Flags again. I can fit comfortably in seats at Sporting events and airplanes without making those next to me uncomfortable and miserable. But most importantly, I can run around and play with my kids and hopefully ensure that I am around a lot longer for them, God willing.
So now I sit here almost 5 1/2 year post op and still doing great. Hovering around goal. The weight loss and my tummy tuck have boosted my confident so much. I still deal with shyness and insecurities, but it gets better all the time. it's a slow process.
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About Me
Wylie, TX
Location
Surgery
05/09/2006
Surgery Date
Jun 20, 2006
Member Since
Before & After
rollover to see after photo
Pre Op
334lbs
at goal
175lbs
