my story

Hi everyone!

I've spent the last week or so reading through a lot of your blogs. Catherine & Amy W.--I've read both of yours from beginning to end. You are both such inspirations!

Anyway, I figured it wasn't fair for me to take inspiration without at least making an effort to give some back. So, here it goes...

My name is Lynda. I just turned 39 and became a full-time "Household Manager" (i.e. stay-at-home wife) about 3 months ago. I am married and have 1 dog--a 15 year old Shih Tzu named Bonnie. I started my 3-month pre-surgery multi-disciplinary program (required by Aetna) on December 29. My weight on that day was 241.5. At 5"4' I wear a size 18W (1X) and my BMI is 41.5.

I have struggled with weight issues most of my life, but have not always been "fat." I have yo-yo'd from 199 to 140 to 185 to 155 to 190 to 150 to 180 to 160....you get the picture. Up until 5 years ago, I had always managed to avoid the 200 lb. mark. And then, I quit smoking. Within two years, I was at an all time high of 239. I cringed and dieted down to 199--this took almost exactly one year. It only took 6 months to gain it all back.

I recently discovered that I have high cholesterol & borderline high blood pressure. I am going in for a sleep study tonight since my husband and my PCP both suspect that I have sleep apnea. Both of my parents have had multiple strokes and Type 2 Diabetes. Both of my grandfathers died of heart attacks. My sister and my mother are cancer survivors.

I need to lose this weight. I need to keep it off. I need the Band.