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New! Click here to read the latest info on Patti's progress...
Here's the rest of Patti's story, circa 2005...
It's a lesson in taking the time to choose what's best for you! 
(Read Patti's entire story from the beginning...) The band is an awesome tool. Something to remember is that we didn't get fat by accident! Most of us decided for one reason or another, that the best way to deal with life's problems was by anesthetizing ourselves, maybe even as a punishment/reward game we often play with ourselves. Believe it or not.. You can have the lapband and not lose weight. There are things we can do to sabotage our progress and I have learned that lesson well. I spent the first 6 months trying to prove the band would not work for me. I ate cheesecake at least twice a week and always would make room for crème brulee. It wasn't until last summer that my weight loss slowed down considerably. I lost 136lbs and then it stopped. Well, my view on this process has been: I will eat and do what I want until I stop losing weight. Once that happens, then I will give something else up (food or start exercising). I finally started eating less sweets and making healthier choices. (Just think how much more weight I would have dropped in the year and a half, if I had given up some of those sinful foods sooner.) So, in September 2004 I gave up cheesecake and sodas. I started adding exercise to my daily routine. I hate exercise and always have. I like handsome men (smile) so I decided that maybe a personal trainer would inspire me. That is when I met Richard (now my personal trainer). Once he learned about my situation he took me under his wing, to help me help myself. Considering that once I had to pay for my workout sessions there was no way I would talk myself out of working out. Now I pay a monthly fee to him, to train me 4-5 days a week. Since I am putting up the dough, I am committed. So I have been working out regularly since then. I have lost over 4 inches in my waist alone. My fitness level has gone through the roof and I am up to 168lb-weight loss. Now I am facing the biggest hardships that I have been avoiding since I started everything... Giving up the sweets! That is a tough one for me. I am working at it daily, and since my intake is so little, it is not as big a problem as it could be. I have learned that something has to become more important to you then the food. Whether it is yourself, a sport you want to participate in, or getting to the point that it would be a good idea to see the plastic surgeon. I never recommend folks to use plastic surgery to lose weight. I do think it is great to fix the damage caused by morbid obesity. So, I am getting ready to meet the plastic surgeon. I have 60lbs to go. Then I will be where I want to be, to start the surgeries. My trainer has been strengthening me so once the doctors do what is needed. I will heal fast and be up and running in no time at all. Keep me in your prayers and I will keep you posted on the next phase of my journey. If you have any questions about this procedure, feel free to contact me. By the way, I am still single and enjoying life to the fullest!!! Thanks to God and my doctors I have an awesome life and do things I haven't been able to do in over 25 years… I did it and am still working at it. I know you can too!!! |
