I'm a bit late to this blogging game, I was banded in July of 2009 and words cannot express how much reading other bander's blogs have helped me on this journey so far. I had toyed with creating my own and my husband kept pushing and pushing. I have had the thing set up for a while, but was having a hard time coming up with a name and what not. I still haven't gotten the hang of decorating the background and what not, so any help in that area would be great.
So, a little history about me. I grew up here, in the Tri-Cities. I had a good childhood, my parents divorced when I was young, but luckily for me they remained friends and I haven't ever really experienced the nastiness that divorce can bring. I absolutely attribute that to my parent's. They are great. My mom remarried as did my dad (2 more times). I have twin older brothers and one younger sister, all from my dad. I am extremely close to both sets of parents, each in different ways.
For as long as I can remember, I have been a bigger girl. I mean, I see pictures of me as a kid and I don't really think I was fat, but definately chubby and I can remember always comparing myself to other girls my age. I was active, I played soccer, basketball and was on the swim team, but I never hit a point where I grew and thinned out. I grew, but in all directions. By high school, I was definately at a point where I was just continuously gaining. I continued to stay active, but I don't think being really serious about losing weight was all that important to me. I wasn't some kind of outcast, I had a lot of friends and was very active in things at school. Never had a boyfriend, but academics and my friends were always more important to me anyways. I knew different parts of high school may have been different if I were thinner, but I think I definately hid behind my weight, it was just easier that way.
That hiding definately followed me to college. I moved a few hours away to go to college. It was my first time away from my family and it was quite an experience. I had been on so many different diets and food plans in high school and my younger years that once I was on my own, I realized I was in control of those choices instead of my food choices being made for me. I went a little crazy and ate just about anything I wanted and as much of it as I wanted. After a few years living on campus, I moved into Spokane, and lived a few different places, moved quite a bit actually. I continued to balloon and finally decided to try Weight Watchers for the umpteenth time. I did so great. I lost like 30 or 40 pounds and was feeling wonderful, the best I had in years. I finally got a job doing what I went to school for, but it required me moving home, which was fine, but I quickly forgot about me and I took myself off the list. I gained that 30-40 pounds back and then some. I was partying alot and making not so good choices. I met someone, thought I had fallen in love and quickly moved in with him. It was not what I expected it to be and he left, abruptly and in the worst way imaginable. Shortly after, I met Ash, my new husband. We dated for 2 1/2 years before I decided to have the band. I was finally at a point that I wanted to do something about my weight and I wanted to do it for myself, not someone else. I was working out like crazy with my best friend and trainer, she will from here on be referred to as Megsterini!! I was on meal plans and doing everything I had been taught for all those years that were supposed to help you lose weight, except I wasn't.
My mom and I were chatting on the phone one afternoon as I was wandering through Wal-Mart. She was treading lightly around wanting to talk to me about my weight and my struggles as it has often been a sense of contension for us. She finally just came right out and said that a family friend had had the lapband and thought that it might be a good choice for me. I laughed and said to her, funny, I had been considering looking in to the band myself. It was like we were finally on the same page about something. I attended the informational meeting, with my parents and Ash. Unfortunately, my insurance wasn't going to pay, but once I decided that I wanted to have the procedure, all of a sudden the money found it's way into my bank account and I was on my way. Because I was self-pay, my process went quickly and before I knew it, I was recovering from surgery. I have now been banded for 14 months and have lost 130 pounds. My initial goal is 150 lbs, but I am sure that once I hit that, I am going to want to continue losing, but at the time of surgery, 150 pounds seemed totally doable. Now that I am 20 pounds or so away, I completely think that more losing is in my future.
On a non-weight loss note, Ash proposed to me in December of 2008 and we were married on June 27, 2010. It was the most perfect day I have experienced so far in my life. Even though I was not at "goal" weight at the time of the wedding, I felt so incredibly beautiful. Being banded has been harder than any other weight loss plans I have been on, so anyone who mentions or asks about it being an easy way out, I quickly give them a run-down of my experience, hoping to dissuade those thoughts. I have good days, bad days, great days and horrible days, but nothing compares to the new freedom I have found. I finally put myself back on the list and it's a great place to be.
Here's to many more posting and making of new friends.....banded and unbanded....
I will attempt to post some pics, just have to figure out how to do that....
until next time..
Katie
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