Life with the Lap-Band

Lap-Band surgery is the process of placing a prosthesis known as the Lap-Band around the upper stomach to create a smaller stomach pouch. In turn it limits the amount of food an individual can fit into their stomach. Lap-Band surgery (a bariatric surgery procedure) was approved by the FDA in 2001. It gained a lot of popularity in the weight loss world. The procedure itself is minimally invasive. The surgeons enter the stomach via small incisions and use surgical instruments to insert the Lap-Band. The main reason for having the surgery performed is so that the individual having it done will not only lose weight but keep the weight off as well. This is a new method that is recommended for those individuals who experience morbid obesity and have tried to lose the weight but have failed in their attempts to lose the weight and keep it off.

Certified "Band" Geek

I knew my life was severely different from the moment I woke up in the recovery room. Life as I knew it was over. I had to learn to listen to my "new" body. It would now tell me when I was hungry or when I've had enough liquids. This concept was very new to me. In the past my body never told me when enough was enough. Before long that would all change. Once the anesthesia wore off the discomfort settled in. The first day was anything but easy. It felt as though the gas in my stomach was piling up inside me. The nurses explained that this sensation would soon pass once you expel it. Other than the bloated bubbles scurrying around in my belly I felt okay. The liquid diet was not a favorite of mine. I soon grew tired of the protein shakes and sugarless popsicles. After two weeks of the liquid diet I was able to begin bringing in soft foods to my diet. Anything that was soft, moist, and mashable, I was able to eat and keep down. I tried testing the limits and I soon found out that wasn't a wise decision. The minute I strayed from the diet and, ate what I shouldn't, I got sick immediately. It appeared my eyes were bigger than my stomach. In my head I thought I could still handle eating the same amount of food as before. Nevertheless that was no longer the case. If you try to test your boundaries with the band you'll realize that you will always lose the battle.

No longer hungry like the "Wolff"

During my college years I recognized how badly my binge eating had become. I was terrified when I stepped on the scale and read 240lbs. How did I get here? Where did I go wrong? All these questions consumed my mind constantly. I found myself avoiding activities with my family and friends because of fear. Fear that people were talking & laughing about my weight, and fear that they would look at me with shame for what I was eating. All those fears enhanced my anxiety and depression. I was once an outgoing social butterfly. I had now become overly self conscious. In 2006 I graduated from beauty school. It was one of the biggest highlights of my life. Once I received my cosmetology license I began working at a salon. I used to refer to one of my coworkers as "the incredible shrinking woman." Within weeks she kept getting smaller and smaller. I had to know what her secret was. As a result of undergoing the Lap-Band procedure my coworker was shedding her weight at a miraculous rate. Needless to say I was thoroughly intrigued. I began to research and do my homework in order to fully comprehend this weight loss surgery. Once I was aware of all the pro's and con's it was apparent that this was the right move for me to make. After many consultations I finally met the right Doctor to perform the surgery on me. On September 21st 2007 I underwent the hour and half procedure. That date is somewhat like a second birthday for me. I felt reborn in some strange way. It was the beginning of my new life!

Dieting is not a piece of cake

At 15 years old I began to notice that my depression was increasingly getting worse. I wasn't comfortable in my own skin. While my other high school friends were shopping at the trendiest boutiques, I was purchasing outfits from the plus size woman's store. During high school my weight kept creeping up on me, but it seemed I subconsciously ignored it. Until one day I weighed myself and I was over 200lbs. My family grew concerned about my ongoing weight issue that they opted to send me to a weight loss camp in Boston, Massachusetts. I spent 6 weeks there and made a ton of friends. I finally felt accepted amongst people my age. We all had one thing in common and that was an unhealthy relationship with food. We were able to connect and have a common understanding. Although I learned a lot and lost 25lbs the tools I was taught weren't implemented when I returned home. I went right back to my old ways and gained back the weight I lost and then some. I tried all the diets, pills, got a gym membership as well as a nutritionist and dietitian. Nothing was working for me because I was a compulsive emotional binge eater. It was as if I didn't have an "off" switch in my head. I couldn't stop myself from consuming large quantities of food. Life seemed to be at a standstill for me. I was on a cocktail of anti depressants because I was feeling so low. However the side effect from the medications was weight gain. I was drugged and constantly hungry. I was hoping the meds would make me feel better but in reality they made me feel worse. I always thought I just needed to try harder to lose weight. If only I had more willpower things would get better. It was clear to me that I had to find a way to live a long and healthy life.

Cupcakes or Kickball?

I am 26 years old and have struggled with food addiction for the majority of my life. Food was always a source of comfort to me as a child and even as an adult. Growing up in Southern California wasn't easy when your overweight. Its unfortunate but true that looks and body image play a huge role in acceptance amongst your peers. During my childhood I was somewhat of an active kid. My days were filled with after school activities such as dancing, swimming or playing softball. By the time puberty came about I changed in many ways. Instead of burning calories I was burning a hole in the couch cushion. I no longer had the desire to be apart of a team. I became introverted and food became my new found friend. Throughout my life I've always been told, "you have such a pretty face..if only you were to lose the weight." My days were defined as good or bad by what I ate and how my clothes fit.