Gloria's StoryI have battled obesity as long as I can remember. I vividly recall the pain and embarrassment of being weighed in my elementary school gym, praying that the school aide would not announce my weight for everyone to hear.
I started dieting at the age of ten. My days were defined as good or bad by what I ate and how my clothes fit.I have been on every diet you can think of; I took diet pills for years; I cannot remember a year when I didn’t gain or lose at least forty or fifty pounds. My hunger never went away.
I was an overweight (okay, fat) child, an overweight teen, and an overweight adult.I spent my life yo-yoing.For me, dieting was like holding my breath; eventually I had to come up for air. The irony is that except for my battle with weight, I’ve been successful at everything I’ve ever attempted.I’m very fortunate.I have a great marriage, two wonderful children, and true friends, and I’ve enjoyed a successful career as an executive in Fortune 100 companies.But no matter how hard I tried, I could never take off the weight and keep it off. I wasn’t stupid and I wasn’t lazy.I was tired of doctors telling me that I need to eat less and exercise more …
Finally, I’m in control and winning the battle with my weight.I am in great shape and great health because on August 16, 2006, I got a Lap-Band®.With the help and support of a great team I learned how to use this amazing tool.It’s been hard work; I’ve had my ups and downs, and it certainly wasn’t the “easy way out.”Would I do it again?In a heartbeat!My only regret is that I didn’t get my band sooner!And, there really wasn’t anyone to speak with me about it in a safe, comfortable way.
When I decided to get my band, I didn’t tell anyone except for my husband and a few close friends.I was afraid I would fail again.I was afraid of the stigma associated with being obese and “resorting” to weight loss surgery.
I have been maintaining a healthy, normal weight for nearly two years now.I am now the fit girl at the gym.I am the active mom at school, I am the confident presenter in business, and I am a more loving wife, because I no longer carry the burden of my weight on my body and in my heart.I am a different person today, and I love Banded Living™.I feel confident that I will be able to maintain a normal weight for the rest of my life.
My goal here is to help others by sharing my story and my personal experiences.My deepest personal hope is that you will find something in my journey that is useful to you and the people you care about.
Exploring WLS
Sandi Henderson
Gloria Samuels
