Sharon Z. "I am a different person than I was 20 months ago, inside and out."	Richard C. "My health is great now — no sleep apnea, gout, or diabetes and my blood pressure is perfect."	Sandy C. "This surgery has changed my life and brought me so many blessings, I would do it over again, no question."	Rita E. "My closet is full of clothes of every color of the rainbow. I don’t have to worry about if the color will make me look too big."	Carl J. "I can now make it to the top of the stairs faster than some of the younger police officers, AND breathing normally."
Amy M. "I am proud of my accomplishment and that I addressed the problem before it got even worse."	Rosa F. "When I made the decision to have LAP-BAND surgery, I never expected so many changes to happen."	Amanda S. "It goes without saying what my life was like 120 pounds heavier. I had no life."	Cathy K. "For the first time in my life, I know I will never put my weight back on and I do not feel like I am on a diet."

Amy M.

I can remember like yesterday the moment I decided that losing weight was no longer an option, but had to be done.

One night, my husband and I were out for an evening sail on a friend's boat.  As we returned to the dock, our friend invited me to go below deck to see the inside.  My first thought was how awkward I would look climbing back up the ladder to the deck-if I could even get back up!  I made up some excuse for not doing it. 

My husband and I love to sail- we even have considered possibly living on a boat in retirement.  I realized that if I didn't lose weight, I would not be able to fully participate in this activity that we both love.  Then I began thinking about the hundreds of times a day that my decisions are based on my size, food, or hiding how miserable I was.  Walking back to the car after that evening on the boat, I told my husband my reason for not going below deck. A few moments later, I told him I was thinking about surgery-the rest is history!

I began researching the LAP-BAND System online and mentioned to a physician friend that I was toying with the idea.  She told me if she needed surgery, she would only pick Dr. St. Laurent.  She had performed surgeries with him and was very impressed. 

My husband and I attended one of Dr. St. Laurent's seminars and afterward made a consultation appointment.  Dr. St. Laurent spent quite a bit of time with us and answered all of our questions. Then, he mentioned the "sleeve" as a possible option.  I had never heard of that procedure,  so that weekend I researched it and went back and forth a hundred times before finally deciding that the sleeve would work best for me.

June 26, 2008 was the day that my life changed forever!

This was the first surgery I have ever had and I was very surprised at how easy the recovery was.  I had some pain the first few days that was easily managed with medication. I was fatigued for probably a week or two-and after about 3 or 4 weeks, I was back to my full energy level.
I have lost 101 pounds so far.  I have been successful because the sleeve is a great tool, and because I have worked very hard to learn how to eat and take care of my body. 

When people comment on how great I look, I say, "Thank you, I had weight loss surgery."  Then I answer their questions-I'm actually surprised at how open I am about it-I thought I would be more secretive.  But, I am proud of my accomplishment and that I addressed the problem before it got even worse.

Would I do the surgery again? Are you kidding? I only wish I had done it sooner!