kris B.
Well, I have always used food, alcohol and whatever I could to temporarily feel better about my emotionally wrecked self. I was 280 pounds in high school and through the use of drugs (phen phen) I lost 100 pounds and spent a year at 180 pounds. After the breakup with my boyfriend I ended up gaining all the weight back plus more and ballooned up to 350 pounds. I found out about weight loss surgery in 2003 and researched the hell out of my surgeon and picked Dr. Kuri in Mexico. I had this done in June of 2003. I lost 80 pounds with the band and met a wonderful boyfriend who I planned a great future with. The sad part was we both loved food and I let myself slip in to a comfortable place and gained back the 80 I lost with the band. After three years of being miserable about my weight and eating and drinking myself in to an emotional coma, I went to therapy and decided to cut the drinking out of my life. It was a cycle I couldn't handle anymore. After I cut out the wine, I lost the 80 pounds AGAIN in under a year and also found 'Hot Yoga' as my way to vent and feel free from stress and anxiety. I met a wonderful man this last year who takes good care of me. =+)
My father passed on Valentine's Day of 2011 and I got kidney stones 2 weeks later. I had a cystoscopy to remove said 'stone' and almost simultaneously my lap band completely quit working. I had severe cramps and problems after my kidney stone surgery and could not figure out the problem. I had every single test done possible to diagnose some sort of issue, but to no avail. I did find out I have IBS though...which was something I always figured. I realized it had to be my lap band causing all of my pain. I had to quit yoga for three months due to all the cramping and my port was flipped over and doing whatever it wanted. I discussed the Vertical Sleeve with PGSS and decided it was the only way to go for me. I had the surgery on the 2nd of June and had this horrible band removed and the hernia it caused and have since had no cramps. It is already something I am so glad I did. I thank my Mother who selflessly funded my surgery so I could be normal again. I can't wait to get back to my yoga and be able to walk my dog again and begin the life I should have had years ago.
2003 June / Lap Band with Dr. Kuri (350lbs)
2003 Sept / port revision (Dr. Oh poked a hole in my tube)
2003-2011 numerous fills between .05 - 3.3 cc's (211 lbs. lowest with lap band)
2011 June 2 / Vertical sleeve gastrectomy with band removal and hiatal hernia repair with the Amazing Dr. Billing!
