From Sweatpants to Swimsuits: My Weight Loss Story

Posted under Weight Loss

I’ll never forget the day I knew I wanted to get lap band surgery. My sister and I were at the mall, shopping for a tropical cruise we had booked together. My sister is absolutely gorgeous — all 105 pounds of her. You know the type: blonde hair, blue eyes and a body that looks fabulous in anything, even a flimsy $2 dress from the clearance rack.

Me, on the other hand? I was pleasantly plump, and that’s putting it nicely. There’s actually nothing pleasant about being plump, but that’s a story for another day.

Anyway, my sister was trying on bikini after bikini, whining that none of them looked good on her perfect freaking body. She has a rough life, as you can see. I was sitting there, wishing she’d hurry up, when I decided to be brave and try on a few swimsuits of my own.

Big mistake. After trying on every single suit in the full-figured section, I realized none of them fit me. Not even one. In fact, I couldn’t even find one that almost fit. Every single suit was too small and too tight.

What happened next is a bit embarrassing. I threw a pile of swimsuits on the ground and burst into tears. My sister dragged me out of the store, sobbing hysterically. I didn’t go swimming on the cruise, in case you were wondering.

A few days after the outburst, I called my doctor. I’ve been seeing Dr. Rodriguez in Dallas since I was a little girl, so I trust his advice and opinions. I asked about the surgery, and he said that I was an excellent candidate. Generally, the surgery is performed on people who have been at least 100 pounds overweight for more than five years. I fit the criteria, so we scheduled an appointment.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t terrified. I was excited, yes, but also worried about possible risks and complications. I did some research by typing lap band Dallas in Google and found that the Food and Drug Administration warns Americans that most people who go through the surgery experience side effects. However, most of the side effects listed weren’t too severe — heartburn, nausea and abdominal pain. Note: I ended up with nausea, but it didn’t last long.

Three years later, I’m 157 pounds lighter than I used to be. My sister and I are going to Bermuda this summer, and guess what? I’ll be wearing a swimsuit! I just haven’t decided which one yet.