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."

 Rita E.

There were many health reasons why I decided to have the LAP-BAND surgery, such as diabetes, but it wasn't until I learned I was going to be a grandmother that I knew I had to do something about my weight.  I wanted to be there for my grandchild and be around to watch my him grow up.

I used to hate shopping for clothes. Sometimes I would even ask my husband to go pick up things at the store, because I was too embarrassed to go out and get them myself. And I never strayed from black. Even if I liked a color, I couldn’t imagine actually wearing it.

Once I decided that I needed to lose weight, I researched my options. After I went to a few seminars, I found Dr. St. Laurent and knew I had found the right doctor. I had my surgery on July 6, 2006, and since then, I have lost 178 pounds. I know I have been successful because I did everything I was told to do. Dr. St. Laurent continually reminded me that the LAP-BAND was just a tool, not an easy way out. You have to work at it everyday. It is a life change.

I like having the confidence and knowledge that I will be around to watch my grandson grow. He is 2 1/2 years old now and I have the energy to play with him all day long. I can crawl on the ground with him and don’t have to worry about my knees or hips hurting, and I feel great being able to go to the playground and fit through the nooks with him.

Shopping? I love it now! My closet is full of clothes of every color of the rainbow. I don’t have to worry about if the color or pattern will make me look too big. Now I get compliments on how the color of my shirt brings out the color of my eyes. I never knew that my eyes changed colors with my clothes! 

A funny story...my husband works overseas so when he came home for his first R&R a few months after my surgery, he walked right past me at the airport, he didn't even recognize me!  Needless to say, I kid him about it constantly but he doesn't mind, he loves the new me.