I'm With the Band Pt 2

1. Why Lap Band?

 My surgeon does three different types of bariatric surgery, Roux-en-Y, Gastric Sleeve, and Gastric Banding. Each surgery has it's own benefits and risks. I felt like gastric banding was the right pick for me because:

• None of my internal organs will be cut. With the band, if something happens, I can have it removed and everything will go back to the way it was before. 
• The recovery time is much shorter. It's an outpatient procedure, so I will not have to stay in the hospital. And since Grace isn't walking, having a weight restriction for a long period of time wouldn't work for our family. 
• There will be long term follow-up. I will have to stay in regular contact with my surgeon, especially in the first year, to be sure I'm using the band correctly.
• The weight loss will be slower. I LOVE instant gratification and losing weight quickly sounds terrific! But I know that in order for me to use this tool and be successful with it, I need to change my habits. I worry that if I dropped the weight quickly, I would go back to my old ways just as quickly. 

This wasn't a decision I took lightly. I weighed pros/cons, costs/benefits for quite sometime before making the decision. 

2. How did people respond when you told them? 

I didn't tell anyone for a long time because I expected the worst. I expected judgement, ridicule, and conflict. Instead all I have gotten has been love and support. My husband, Jeff, has been my biggest support through all of this. He's excited for me to feel better about myself. My family and friends have been quick to offer help with the kids and even feed my family afterwards. 

My kids don't quite understand. Riley told me he doesn't want me to change because he "loves me just the way I am". Those were the sweetest words I could have ever heard! But I'm sure he'll still love me when I'm healthier and able to jump on the trampoline and run around the yard with him. 

So why did I choose surgery? Can't I just do this on my own? Tune in next week to find out!