Easter Friday 2009 fell on 10 April. Exactly 3 years to the day since I had my gastric band surgery! A very appropriate time, I think, to go back over my successes (and a few failures) since that day. Before my surgery I weighed a tad over 100kg with a BMI of 41. I undoubtedly fell into the ‘morbidly obese’ range. I had the typical co-morbidities (health problems) related to obesity. As well as being prescribed medications for these, I was also taking medications for an inflammatory problem which was making my weight control even more difficult.

Needless to say I’d been on every diet known to humankind. I was exercising regularly. So, when, at the end of 2005 my GP said in desperation that “we’d reached the end of the road” and then asked me to consider gastric banding, I went away shaken. However, after a week of researching websites, talking to my immediate family and consulting a psychologist, I returned and asked him to refer me to a specialist.

The penny had dropped. At 64 years of age I’d finally begun to understand how my morbid obesity was seriously impacting on my health. I decided it was time to take control of my life and to act.

Within 15 months of the banding and with exercise, my weight was down to less than 60kg, my BMI in the healthy range and to this day I consider my decision to have gastric banding the best I have ever made. Now, 36 months down the track, I still weigh less than 60kg and am very proud of myself for maintaining my original weight loss. I also love the fact that at 67, I can now happily wear size 10 skinny jeans. Occasionally people don’t recognise me and I unashamedly admit to smiling inwardly when I have to re-introduce myself.

Weight loss, however, does not come without a cost. It is hard work. Every day brings its challenges. My gastric band is a weird animal. One day it will let me eat a particular food; next time I go to eat the same thing, I just can’t manage it. This can be difficult when eating out and I have now learned to order mainly vegetarian dishes of entrée size. My diet has changed drastically over time and my choices are generally much healthier.

I belong to a support group and we recently discussed the issue of ‘head hunger’ as opposed to emotional hunger and real hunger. Understanding the difference or knowing what it actually feels like to feel full was discussed by Kim in her story in an earlier edition of this newsletter. I must admit I have rarely been hungry since the gastric banding and occasionally need to remind myself that it is time to eat. I count this as another success as I seem to have effectively wrapped my head around portion size and been able to stick to it.

One very positive aspect following my banding has been the praise and support I have had from my various medical specialists. Not only are they pleased with my weight loss, several have asked me to speak to patients who they believed would also benefit from weight loss surgery. The most outstanding case in point is a woman who started out being very resistant to the idea of gastric banding and, after reconsidering her original stance, had the surgery, lost weight and has now been joined on her journey by her husband!

In June 2008, I underwent major spinal surgery and have recovered well. The fusion and bone graft have relieved the severe pain I experienced over several years. However, as the surgeon pointed out, the 7 hour operation would not have been possible if I had been my original 100+kg.

Yes, gastric banding was a life-changing decision. In my case it was also a life-saving decision.

Share your story If you have had weight loss surgery and would like to share your story with us please email your story of approximately 500 word length and a before and after photo to bariatricedge@its.jnj.com

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