Laura before surgery
Four years out with the Lap-Band and I remember the day I hit the 100-pound club and got my pin. I went from a size 28W to a 14!
Who would have dreamed that I would have had the nerve to do it! Much less to have joined Southern Surgical a year later to work in Bariatrics everyday. My journey has changed my life, health and future.
The 6th of June 2007 started with the famous Southern Surgical Educational Class. August 6, 2007 was the first day of the rest of my life, my surgery day. The next two weeks was a mental battle of the reality of being addicted to food!
Alcoholics should stay away from the ABC store, smokers can take smoking cessation aids, drug addicts can go to rehab, but food is required to live. Food is no different than any other addiction. Healthy food choices keep you healthy and poor food choices lead to morbid obesity. In 2007 is when I finally saw myself…Morbidly Obese at a BMI of 46. I truly hate the words Morbidly Obese!!!
Laura after surgery
If you know me, then you know cake icing is my demon! This is BAD, VERY BAD! Wendy’s chili is my favorite fast food item (small, 200 calories, 17g protein at $1.29= cheap date) and I eat a lot of broiled seafood. I am the condiment queen and battle drinking while eating everyday.
I have always battled my weight and I clearly understand that I will always have to focus on my food choices and my weight. Bariatric surgery was the first step and a tool to help me with my daily challenges with food. My head is still the main obstacle of the battle of my food addiction. I wish Southern Surgical had brain surgeons.
Everyone always ask if I am glad I chose Gastric Banding as my choice of weight loss surgery. My reply is, “I am just so glad I had the guts to do surgery period!”
Gastric Banding requires maintenance and is a slower weight loss journey. This part of the journey has worked for me. I needed the accountability of the Southern Surgical staff and the slower weight loss has allowed me to keep my head in the game of all the physical changes. I still have weight to lose to reach my personal goal and yes I have battled the few pounds up and down. This scares me because I am awesome at losing 10 and gaining 20 pounds! I also understand this is a forever part of my life.
The Southern Surgical Support Group has helped me connect with others in my same world of Bariatrics. I believe we are here to help one another and to share our journeys. I would like to thank Southern Surgical and all the other patients that have touched my life.
With love and gratitude,
Laura B Smith