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Life before the Band My weight problems began when I was twelve years old and was admitted to hospital with severe eczema and prescribed a steroid (preganzon) to control it. I came out looking like a beached whale. By the time I was 19 I weighed 100kg and struggled to buy clothes. I slowly began to withdraw into myself. I had nicknames like Roro (roll on, roll off), Jumbo and Thunder Thighs and they hurt more than I ever cared to admit to others, or to myself. I became like a hermit and withdrew from society. My weight continued to rise steadily during my twenties. I tied every diet udner the sun over the years but eventually gave up on the idea that I could ever be thin. When my weight skyrocketed to 150kgs I was diagnosed with high blood pressure (110/130) and labelled super morbidly obese. I realised I had a choice - I could have the lapband operation or have a funeral. The Operation I was put on a liquid diet for four weeks leading up to the operation and four weeks post-op. It was hard but I was determined to make the surgery a success. The operation took five and half hours as the fat kept on surfing down as the band was being placed. Mr Cable later said it was like running am rathon for him to get the band in place! Life after the Band With my drastically reduced stomach capacity I was forced to change my diet. I lived on a protein drink for breakfast, crackers and cheese or yoghurt for lunch and a dinner of soft food like macaroni cheese, fish pie or mince. Sometimes it can be had getting people to understand why I eat such small amounts. They often ask "Why can't you eat normally". I can go shopping now and head straight for the small sizes. I love it! It took me three and a half years to reach my goal weight but then again the weight didn't go on overnight either. After my initial weight loss I felt fine in clothes but naked it was another story. I had folds of skin hanging everywhere! I didn't expect to wake up and have a flat stomach but I didn't bargain for this either!? I've since had skin removed from my arm and a tummy tuck to remove the saggy skin and it has removed the last permanent reminder of how large I used to be. Overall, I'm now happier, bubblier and have a lot more confidence than I did prior to surgery. I go walking with the dog most days and sleep better because I'm not suffocating myself. I would do it all again in a heartbeat. If I hadn't had this surgery I probably wouldn't be around today. My next goal is to get into body sculpting like Suzanne Prentice. I'd be able to say "look at me now" to all of those people who mocked me! What I have been able to eat with the band. I have been able to eat most things post-op except sausages, bread or any foods that turn into dough-balls. I eat my main meal off a side place. If I don't finish my food I bin it. This was really hard to do in the beginning but is now a normal way of life. If I want a piece of cake or cheesecake I will have it. I will eat chocolate or lollies when the craving is there because I have found it is better to eat a small amount when you are hungering for something than for the craving to build up. I stick to eating only three meals a day. My usual daily intake is:
My Exercise Regime I started by walking 5 kilometers a day and then moved on to swimming which I love and still do in the summer months. Over winter I tend to be a bit of a couch potato but do spend most of the day on my feet playing games with the children I work will. I could probably add walking around the malls as part of my exercise as I am always looking for more new clothes - even though my wardrobe is busting at the seams! Tips for Success For what they are worth, these are the strategies that have helped me get to where I am now:
Last updated: 1 January 2004 |
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