Hello Everyone,
I have just joined your forum and wanted to introduce myself and say hello. My name is Dalaina and I live in East Texas. I have just made the decision to get banded and I am THRILLED! I already feel like I have a new chance at life. I'm scheduled for surgery with Dr. Wilkenfeld in Houston, Texas for March 31st. I am 40 years old and weigh 254 with a BMI of 48. I have had two babies in the past two years after thinking that I was unable to get pregnant and never going to be a mommy. I am thrilled to have my two baby girls ( Abigail 15 1/2 months & Emma 2 months) but I fear their future if I don't end this love affair that I've had with food my entire life. Not only have I been overweight since about 5 years old, but I watched my Mom stay around 300 lbs most of my life as well. She would do one diet and then another - lose 70 lbs and gain back 90. She is still morbidly obese and has all the health problems to go with it: high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, arthritis, lupus, both knees replaced and still in a wheel chair, etc. Although, at 40 I'm still relatively healthy, I know that this same road is what I have to look forward too if I don't make a drastic change. I long for my little girls to grow up using food as a fuel source and not a best friend - learning to make good food choices and live a healthy life. With the band, I believe I can once and for all make this change in my life.
Thanks to everyone for your many blogs and posts. The before and after photos are also VERY encouraging. I need your testimonies and wisdom to make this journey. If anyone has used Dr. Wilkenfeld - I would love to hear from you and your experience.
Looking forward to making this journey with you,
Dalaina