Alisha R.
Hi Everyone! Im Alisha! I was banded 12-22-09.
My story.... As long as I can remember I was a fat kid. Honestly I believe it starting happening when I was 3 after my dad dying. I blocked it out and I dont remember much but from what my mom says I knew everything that was going on. I dont remember much until about 3rd grade. I was a heavy kid. I remember being the fat kid in 5th grade when I realized that I was in Lane Bryant clothes. I knew then that I wasnt a normal sized kid. I developed very early. I think I finished growing in 4th or 5th grade. I ended up being 5'7. Every morning during elementary and middle school I had McDonalds almost every morning. I bet that was thousands and thousands of calories that was just adding to my already obese frame. I felt very trapped.
In middle school, I was very confused about my weight and embarrassed. I was teased a lot yet all I wanted was to fit in. One day in middle school I had an accident from my weight; I was walking down the stairs with all of my classmates and fell at the top of the stairs. No one really cared that I was falling and ''the seas had parted'' for my graceful landing! I ended up in the ER. Totally embarrassed and humiliated.
Finally in High School, I found a outlet. I joined marching band. Secretly hoping that some of my weight would come off. During marching season I managed to keep my weight under control. After that was over it came back with a vengeance! 25-50 added on during winter while marching season was done. Senior year I had quit marching band due to some personality conflicts. I had hit the 300 mark. A goal that I was not proud of! It was so embarrassing getting my cap and gown and senior tshirts that were 2x and 3xs.
I had thought about WLS when I started High School or right about then. I was trapped behind the weight that I held. It was my safety blanket...that was also trying to kill me at the same time! During High School it was so easy to gain weight and I had tried every diet that there was. Nothing worked! With my family history, it was just a matter of time before I had a serious health issue. I lost my dad when I was 3 (he was 34). That was my dads 3rd heart attack. I had all his genes and look just like him. I needed to change my life and get healthy because I dont want to even up like my dad.
After finishing all my schooling I focused on myself! I asked my mom ''lets try to find a surgeon''. I was tired of being FAT! I got my degree in cosmetology and with standing on my feet all day I knew that I needed to get healthy along with my family history! I found Dr. Jessee in May. Shes my life saver! I had a lot of problems with insurance but finally in December my Christmas came 3 days early! Im so glad that I got it. I feel like I should have been born with my band. Its the best decision. I decided on my band because I am so young and I want my skin to bounce back. I know that it probably bounce back 100% but probably 75%. I have known someone that was a close family friend that was a nurse in her 50's die from RNY(gastric bypass). The stats were too high for me to have RNY. Im so glad that I chose my band. The one thing that I have to add is that ''A band is a tool. A person with a that tool can still be a fool''. If the band didnt work for you then maybe you werent working your band!
Im glad that I made the life-saving decision to save my life and turn it around. I was tired of being the girl with the pretty face. I am excited to change my life.
