After I retired and began caring for my elderly father, the change in my lifestyle made me gain a lot of weight. It got to the point where I couldn’t even walk to the end of my driveway without getting winded. But being diagnosed with type II diabetes and high cholesterol was the real wake-up call for me. I knew what diabetes could do to your body and I wasn’t prepared to let that happen. I was going to change.
I decided that Lap Band surgery was the best option for me. The procedure went really well and my recovery was virtually pain free—I never even took painkillers. The first week was a little uncomfortable but nothing major. I was in the hospital on Wednesday, went home Thursday afternoon, and I was walking on Friday!
Today my diabetes is under control with no medication and the arthritis in my knees doesn’t bother me as much. The amount of energy I have now is unbelievable. I feel like I did when I was 45! There are continuing changes I have to make, too. For example, the way I approach food has drastically changed. Before the surgery, food was a reward. I was an emotional eater. Today I'm a healthy eater and I've learned to view food as nothing more than fuel for the body.
If you're considering surgery, I recommend going to one of the Bariatric Program's open houses to learn about your options. The people there are just great and so knowledgeable. They have all the resources you need to help you make the decision that’s right for you. I would do it again in a heartbeat.