Life is a Highway and I'm riding it my way.: The Starting Line

The Starting Line

1:21 PM |

Posted by Dawn

Well this is where I started my journey on October 23, 2009. Weighing in a large 304lbs I decided that it was either time to change my life or die at the age of 42. I decided on the first choice which was to change my life. And I am so glad that I did.

Let me start by telling you a bit about myself. At the age of 34 on July 15, 2001 I had open heart surgery to repair an Ascending Aortic Anuerysm. I also had my valve replaced at the time.

Here is a picture of what my Aorta looks like now that it's repaired.

So at the time of my open heart surgery I decided on a

porcine Valve (otherwise known as a pigs valve).

My choice for the Pigs valve at the time was basically because I was young and I didn't want to take blood thinner for the rest of my life. Problem is that the pigs valve only lasts for about 10 years. If you are figuring this out right now, it's nearing that time that the pigs valve isn't going to work anymore. My cardiologist told me that if I didn't lose weight I had a high chance of dieing on the table during my next open heart surgery. I knew that the diets weren't working for me and so I had to do something drastic in my life. That's when I decided on Lapband surgery. By the way I'm having a mechanical valve put in next time for my heart surgery and will be taking blood thinner. I don't want to have open heart surgery again so that is why I made the choice this time.

On October 23, 2009 at the Center for Bariatrics at Southern Ocean County Hospital, Dr. Jonathan Reich performed my life changing operation.

Day before surgery

All of my adult life I have struggled with weightloss. I have tried all those so called Yo-Yo diets. Some have been very successful. Until I got bored and then gained all of my weight back and then some. I was also one of those people that though Weightloss surgery was the 'Easy Way Out'. BOY WAS I WRONG!! There is absolutely nothing easy about this process. You still have to work hard to lose the weight and keep it off. The lapband just makes it easier for you to reach those goals. It's not a miracle cure all. You don't just get the band placed inside and start to lose the weight. The Lapband is a Lifestyle change.

Me before the weight problems started

As you read through my blog I hope that it gives you some insightful information and that I can help others along their way with any questions that they might have. Please check back regularly as I try and update as often as possible.