... suddenly, it's been 5 years! (X post)

September 10, 2008

Five years ago today I was banded. Nothing else had worked, and my weight

was spiralling out of control. Thanks to my sister and brother-in-law in

Oregon, I had heard of the band and attended an evening seminar on

weight-loss surgery by Dr. Emma in Portland. I flew home to

Canada and made an appointment with Dr. Yau in Toronto. The surgery

was uneventful, and the weight just started flying off! I was lucky,

because I lost an average of 4 lbs/week without any complications, acid

reflux or vomiting.

I was banded on Sept. 10/03 at 407 lbs and as of today, I am down 180

pounds, to 227.

My pant size has dropped from 54 to 38, shirts from 4X to L. I exercise

regularly, and actually enjoy my brisk walks, hiking, weight training,

swimming, cross-country skiing, etc. It was a huge thrill when I no longer

had to request a seatbelt extender on airplanes, and when I realized for the

first time that I no longer minded seeing my reflection in shop windows.

Life is good! It was good in many ways at 407 lbs too, but this is a whole

new world for me now ...

Last December I discovered that my band can suddenly and without reason

tighten up. For a few days I couldn't eat anything at all and had great

trouble even sipping water. I had a slight defill, and to my amazement even

before the needle had left my port, I felt things relax. I could eat and

drink with ease, and have not needed to get that removed fill replaced.

To anyone trying to decide whether to get banded, let me encourage you to do

so. Yes, it is often stated that the band is " just " a tool, and that you

must change many things in the way you eat and exercise, but it is one HECK

of a tool!

Thanks also to all of you on this great bandster board! The support and

information I receive from it has been great.

Dr. Yau, Sept. 10/03, Swedish band

407/227/215

Dr. Tim Sproule, Apr. 7/05, Beltline Lipectomy

Dr. Yau, Apr. 7/05, Port Relocation

Dr. Sproule, Dec. 1/05, Revision to Beltline Lipectomy

Dr. Allan Lossing, May 15/06, Varicose Vein Stripping

Dr. Sproule, July 13/06, Bilateral Medial Thigh Lifts

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