before...   ...after

I struggled with my weight my entire life. I was always the fat girl. But not anymore. I'm approaching my one year "bandiversary" and I couldn't be more thrilled with the results. Before my lap band surgery, I weighed 264 pounds and wore a 26/28. I was banded by Dr. Wilkenfeld on March 14, 2006.
 
  
Since I began my band journey, I've lost 77 pounds. I've lost 100 pounds from my heaviest weight. It was the best decision I ever made. I knew I wanted children someday. I also knew that pregnancy while obese has it's own complications. I wanted to get healthy before we started trying to have children. Dieting has never worked for me. My husband and I discussed the idea of the lap band. I was sold as soon as I found out the band is reversible during pregnancy. I'm still trying to get to my goal weight before we start trying to get pregnant.

My life has changed for the better since my sugery. I don't suffer from back pain anymore. I've got more energy than ever before. My self-esteem has skyrocketed. Traveling has become fun again with my new energy and not worrying about fitting into the airline seats. I shop at any store I want - no more fat girl shops for me! My friends call me "skinny" now, a word I never thought would apply to me. The best part is that on my wedding day in July, I wasn't a fat bride.

Dr. Wilkenfeld has been absolutely great. For every question I had, he had an answer. He was very great with talking things out with me. Some patients never see their doctors after surgery. I love that I meet with Dr. Wilkenfeld once a month, just to check in. It's made all the difference when I thought something was wrong. I like him very much.

My only regret is that I didn't do this sooner. It hasn't been easy, and I've had a few stumbles along the way. It's definitely a journey, and one I'm still on. However, I'd go through it all again in a heartbeat. The lap band surgery, and Dr. Wilkenfeld, have given me a chance to enjoy my life.

	before...   ...after

I struggled with my weight my entire life. I was always the fat girl. But not anymore. I'm approaching my one year "bandiversary" and I couldn't be more thrilled with the results. Before my lap band surgery, I weighed 264 pounds and wore a 26/28. I was banded by Dr. Wilkenfeld on March 14, 2006.
 
  
Since I began my band journey, I've lost 77 pounds. I've lost 100 pounds from my heaviest weight. It was the best decision I ever made. I knew I wanted children someday. I also knew that pregnancy while obese has it's own complications. I wanted to get healthy before we started trying to have children. Dieting has never worked for me. My husband and I discussed the idea of the lap band. I was sold as soon as I found out the band is reversible during pregnancy. I'm still trying to get to my goal weight before we start trying to get pregnant.

My life has changed for the better since my sugery. I don't suffer from back pain anymore. I've got more energy than ever before. My self-esteem has skyrocketed. Traveling has become fun again with my new energy and not worrying about fitting into the airline seats. I shop at any store I want - no more fat girl shops for me! My friends call me "skinny" now, a word I never thought would apply to me. The best part is that on my wedding day in July, I wasn't a fat bride.

Dr. Wilkenfeld has been absolutely great. For every question I had, he had an answer. He was very great with talking things out with me. Some patients never see their doctors after surgery. I love that I meet with Dr. Wilkenfeld once a month, just to check in. It's made all the difference when I thought something was wrong. I like him very much.

My only regret is that I didn't do this sooner. It hasn't been easy, and I've had a few stumbles along the way. It's definitely a journey, and one I'm still on. However, I'd go through it all again in a heartbeat. The lap band surgery, and Dr. Wilkenfeld, have given me a chance to enjoy my life.