debrat262
My “Defect” I’ve fought the battle. I’ve tried almost every diet known to man and I’ve exercised to exhaustion. I have the emotional and self esteem battle scars. Weight loss surgery has taught me that maybe it isn’t my entire fault; perhaps it isn’t my will power that’s the problem. I believe that I have some sort of hunger hormone “defect”. Unless of course I have to survive a famine, then the “defect” would definitely be an attribute.
The Lapband I had lapband surgery in May 2004. I was a very successful bandster and reached my goal weight in 2006. I believe the type of surgery that is best for each person is an individual thing. I have a very close friend who is very happy with the RNY she had four years ago. Every surgery has its pros and cons. With the lapband, the port didn’t bother me at all. I learned to eat so that the vomiting (more like spitting up) was minimal. The biggest complaint I had was that some days I just couldn’t eat a thing and could drink only protein drinks for a day or two. “The band is a fickle bitch” and this extra restriction may have been due to fluctuating hormone levels. With the band, my weight was stable for the first time in my life and I was very satisfied.
Eroded Band I went to the doctor in October 2006 because I felt a loss of restriction. I thought that maybe I had a leak, but unfortunately I found out my band had eroded – the band had worked its way into part of my stomach lining – and had to be removed. The band was completely unfilled and I felt hunger like never before. I think I was much more sensitive to this sensation because I hadn’t felt physical hunger in over two years. And I was an emotional wreck. It just wasn’t fair! Why me! One of my closest friends told me that I didn’t need surgery anyways – just drink water when I get hungry! However, most people close to me were very supportive.
After Band Removal I began researching my options, including getting re-banded. I just couldn’t take the possibility of another heartbreaking erosion (the chances increase with a second band). I also considered a mini gastric bypass. I firmly believe the VSG is the best choice for me. I had my eroded band removed by endoscope in November 2006. I had to wait a minimum of six weeks for my stomach to heal before I could have the VSG done. It has been a difficult period of time. All of my food obsessions and unrelenting hunger returned. I gained a total of 26 pounds in less than three months (14 pounds in December alone). So the day has finally arrived – tomorrow 1/6/07 is my “New Year”!
The Beginning My struggle with weight has been a rollercoaster ride that began in my teenage years. At 14 I was a little heavy but not obese when I started running to lose weight (during the jogging craze of the 70’s). I don’t know how much I weighed back then, but I was 5’8” and wore size 14 jeans. Since I was running regularly and feeling good about myself, I joined the high school cross country running team until my coach pulled me aside and said I needed to lose weight. I dropped out.
The Athlete I have been a bodybuilder (working out 1 ½ hours six days a week), practiced Tae Kwon Do (earning a red belt), cyclist (completing several centuries – 100 mile bike rides), and a runner (completing 24 marathons – 26.2 miles - in 19 states since 1999). I’m a snow skier, water skier, air chair rider, and a beach volleyball player. Living a very active lifestyle my weight has still fluctuated 100 pounds.
The Professional and the Single Mother I went to night school for fourteen years and earned an MBA degree. I’m currently the CEO of a small company. I’m an accomplished, intelligent female (it took me a life time to say that), as well as the proud mother of two wonderful teenage boys on the cusp of adulthood. Yet my biggest struggle has been with my weight. Now that I’m in my 40’s, I’ve come to realize that my weight issues have nothing to do with laziness, intelligence, willpower, or initiative.
Weight Chart
05/21/04: Lapband (weight = 205.0/highest = 242.5)
11/18/06: Lapband removed due to erosion (lowest weight in September = 141.9)
01/06/07: VSG (weight = 167.8)
