Sandi’s Story – How Weight Loss Surgery Saved My Life
My friend Gloria and I in my old pants. Can you believe it?
I have been fighting the fat war since I was 4 years old. I finally won the war, leaving only small skirmishes that crop up regularly. My friends tell me these little battles are what a “normal” person always deals with.
Just five years ago, I was 424 pounds, had arthritis in my right knee, and had trouble walking across a parking lot. My asthma forced me to stop and catch my breath several times across those parking lots. I rented a scooter to be able to take my grandkids to Disneyland. I let my husband go into the market while I waited in the truck. People looked fearfully at me when I was getting on a plane, hoping I wasn’t sitting next to them.
In March 2004, at 424 pounds, I had a hypertension crisis that got my attention. To this point, my arthritis, asthma, reflux, and sleep apnea had not yet been enough to make me take notice.
I have succeeded at most everything I have tried in life — I have a wonderful marriage of more than 40 years to my soul mate, a great daughter, four awesome grandchildren, and a successful business I built from scratch over 20 years ago. But I could NEVER get a handle on my weight for longer than five minutes.
On 5/28/2004, at 55 years old, I had life-changing, and life-saving, Lap-band surgery. Within 28 months I had lost 250 pounds. Now, more than five years after surgery, I am holding at 175 pounds and loving it. I am off all my medications and move freely and vigorously through my new life.
With the help of this tool and a great support team I have reached a place where it is fun to go anywhere and try new things, and I actually enjoy looking at pictures of myself (well, most of the time).
If you are struggling with your weight, you may find some useful information and solutions here. I have created this blog because something like it would have made a big difference to me when I was going through the decisions and the process myself.
As the old saying goes, information is power. If you are struggling with your weight, I want you to have the information you need to answer the questions you have so that you can make the best decision possible for you to have a richer life.
I hope you find this useful. I look forward to hearing from you.
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Congrats on the weight loss. I was banded mid Dec and have lost 10kg (22lbs). Your jeans photo is amazing. I look forward to exploring your website. Thanks
This is a great site, lots of good information to reach a lot of people!
Sandi you are such an inspiration! Your strength is amazing. I am so glad to have met you and have you as my friend. I know you will help many with your courage keep it up Beautiful!!
Hi Sandi,
Thank you for sharing your story and keeping us close to share with us your experiences. It has helped me tremendously and I have not had the surgery yet! My operation date is Oct. 15, 2010 and I feel I am going into this process armed with a lot of knowledge and support because of you!
Thank you again!
Bonnie Hall
Great job on the weight loss. I was banded April 23, 2010 and have lost 43 lbs so far. A friend had it done prior to mine and was a big inspiration to me. I have been taken off medications already and feel so much better. I can now keep up with my 11 yr old. It is a great feeling to succeed finally with weight loss. Thanks you for sharing your great progress. I still have a long way to go, but stories like yours keep me going.
hi had my lapband done 19th november 2010 just need so many question i need to ask need a friend to so i can talk about there highs and lows .you look wonderful you must be so proud of your self lots of love jane
I am brand new to this site, i am having my surgery in 2 weeks on augh 31. im nervou, scared, frantic and overly excitied wrapped up into one huge ball of emotoin. I worry the most about not driking while i am eating a meal, and chewing slowly. i am going to have to work hard at that. i love seeing the before and after pictures and hope to be able to post mind one day. congratulations on all you sucess and weight loss, god bless you. kristy
Congratulations on your success! I’m so glad I discovered your site! It’s very encouraging as I am having lap band surgery next month on September 16th. I have been a little worried about having the surgery at my age (I’m 57), and am delighted to learn of your success when you were in your fifties. I’m hoping to be able to report my success soon. I have about 100 pounds to lose.
That you for sharing your story with us!
Truly your story is so inspiring! Congratulations,you give me hope. I am 53 years old and I had my surgery on June 17,2011. Approximately 2 and 1/2 months now and I have lost 28# but I am struggling. I received my first fill but I can still eat as much as I could before and I get so hungry. He put 4cc (I have the AP large, holds 14cc I think) and I can’t really tell anything is in it. I do not have insurance so it is $130.00 for each fill but I am going back on the 20th of Sept to get another one. Thank You for sharing your story with me! You should be very proud!!!
Greetings from Australia. You helped me with my university assignment. Thank so much.
Congratulations on your success. One really has to “be there” so to speak to undstand just what you have accomplished. It’s a tremendous victory!! I had my lapband surgery three weeks ago (no fill yet) and am struggling with a few things, but I’m learning as I go. I gave the lapband to myself for my 65th birthday, so I’m hoping that no one out there lets age stand in their way. I am a ovarian cancer survivor (3 relapses in 12 years) and gained a great deal of steroid (and ‘feeling sorry for myself’) weight during treatment. I have already lost 15 pounds and am really starting to feel so much better….mentally and physically. I have a whole list of health issues from all of the chemotherapy I have had over the years, and while I am aware that the weight loss won’t cure everything, I know it will certainly help. You are an inspiration and your story has strengthened my resolve to lose this extra 125 pound person that I’ve been carrying around with me. Thank you so very much.
Truly your story is so inspiring! Congratulations,you give me hope. I am 53 years old and I had my surgery on June 17,2011. Approximately 2 and 1/2 months now and I have lost 28# but I am struggling. I received my first fill but I can still eat as much as I could before and I get so hungry. He put 4cc (I have the AP large, holds 14cc I think) and I can’t really tell anything is in it. I do not have insurance so it is $130.00 for each fill but I am going back on the 20th of Sept to get another one. Thank You for sharing your story with me! You should be very proud!!!
+1
Sandi, thank you, thank you for suggesting this site to me and thank you for your patience in answering my questions. I just came to this site not a half hour ago and have read some great and informative things. Your story inspires me. I can not wait to begin my journey!
Again Thank you so so much!!
Had the surgery on Friday (Lap Band) and have been so hungry I thought I would vomit. Regret is here as I thought the band would get rid of hunger! I’m disappointed and dreading a lifetime of hunger.