Welcome!

I have attempted blogs before. I've always started them, posted a few times, then inevitably forgot about them. This time it's different. This time I actually have something to blog about versus just random posts about what happened during that day.

On May 9th of this year, I embarked on a journey. A journey that was a long time coming and a relief to have happen. I had weight loss surgery. Before you roll your eyes at that seemingly mundane statement, let me assure you that the story itself isn't boring. I used to be one of those people that thought weight loss surgery was for people who didn't try hard enough. Those that wanted the easy road out of losing weight. To say I was wrong is an understatement of monumental proportions. In my almost 23 years on Earth, I have tried every diet and exercise plan known to man. Well, not every, but you get my drift. I tried Atkins, South Beach, NutriSystem, Jenny Craig, and the uber popular Weight Watchers. They failed. I failed. Whatever the case may be, those diets and I were not a good fit. Not only did they rarely help me lose weight, their little to no results were short-lived. Even incorporating exercise wasn't enough. I'm not afraid of exercise, so that has never really been an issue of mine.

My issue is food. I love food. I think about food all the time. I think about my next meal shortly after or even during the meal I'm currently eating. My favorite foods are so varied and I'm never at a loss of ideas for what will satisfy me next. I dream about my favorite Chinese buffet, I salivate over the perfect cheeseburger, I oogle the ice cream section every time I go to the grocery store. My lack of portion control has caused my weight to absolutely BALLOON in the past 8 years. I was actually kind of a hottie when I was 12. I was slim, but starting to develop, I had clear skin, long shiny black hair, blue eyes that could pierce your soul.....just kidding. I wasn't bad looking, though. Once I started high school, it ALL changed. I got fat quickly. I developed very quickly and my horomones went wild. I don't mean that in a "I became sexually active at a young age" kind of way, but a "my metabolism is non-existent and I can't stop stuffing my face with cookies" kind of way. My high school years were spent being in denial of how big I was getting. I can't bear to look at my graduation pictures because of how...wideI looked in my gown. I looked like a red, satin billboard. After high school, I got my first taste of freedom. Mainly the freedom of going to ANY fast food place I wanted, whenever I wanted, without having to answer to anyone. My fast food consumption escalated to about 7 times a week.

Last July, I started researching my options. I couldn't live the way I was anymore. I was scared of developing diabetes or hypertension. I had bad swelling my ankles from water retention and I had the early stages of sleep apnea. I'd wake up gasping for a breath more than a few times a week. So after a few months of on and off research, I decided that the best option for me seemed to be the LapBand surgery. It's a minimally-invasive procedure done laproscopically that places a band around the stomach. It creates a smaller pouch which becomes your new stomach. The band is also adjustable. It is attached to a port, which is placed under your abdominal muscle and saline is injected into it. The saline travels into the band and that is how it restricts around your stomach. I was elated to find out there was a local doctor that performed the surgery. I made an appointment to attend his required workshop on the surgery. Within the first 5 minutes of getting there, I found out that not only does my insurance not cover the surgery, but that they charge a FORTUNE for the surgery. Along with their 3 required evaluation appointments, that each cost $300. I left right then and there, upset and frustrated that this wasn't going to happen for me. After about 30 minutes of crying and sulking, I started researching a back up plan. I found a highly respectable surgeon who has performed over 5,000 LapBand surgeries, and proctors a ton of other surgeons. Not only did he have an amazing reputation, but his price was more than reasonable. On May 9th, I flew to San Diego with my mom and traveled down to Tijuana where his clinic is located. I know you're thinking, "Mexico? Is this girl INSANE?" Having the surgery done there was no different than in the states. If anything, the facility was cleaner than any hospital I've been to and the doctors and nurses were 100 times more caring and attentive. My scars (or lack thereof, they're so tiny!) have healed perfectly and I've lost 25 lbs since. This band is not a cure. It's a tool. I eat much less than I used to and I'm very aware of how much I'm eating. People around me are starting to notice, I'm fitting into clothes I haven't worn in years, and my energy level has risen dramatically. I have a supportive family, an amazing boyfriend, and wonderful friends. I KNOW this will work for me. I know there will be ups and downs and believe me, they will ALL be recorded. I hope you stick around to read about them!