Jaynae's Gastric Banding SurgeryLos Angeles, California |
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I was discouraged and angry. I was unable to take my son out for even the simplest of outings. I couldn’t go out much at all because I was so heavy. I had tried several weight-loss and exercise programs but all they did was reduce my energy level. My weight and the limitations it imposed on me made me chronically angry.
When my weight rose to 385 pounds I decided something had to be done. I was only 29 but I felt like an old lady.
We live in Paramount and I work as a billing supervisor for TelePacific Communications. In January 2006 my internist referred me to Dr. Liu.
Something Simple, Please
I didn’t want to have a gastric bypass surgery. I know it’s been the standard procedure for a long time but I felt intimidated and wanted something simpler. So Dr. Liu did a minimally invasive surgery called gastric banding. He made just a small incision and used an endoscope, and put a silicone band around the upper part of my stomach.
An endoscope is a thin tube with a light and camera at the end of it. It sends images to a computer so Dr. Liu could see what he was doing inside my body. The silicone band is adjustable and he inflated it just enough to make it fit me perfectly. Now when I eat food, it takes longer to move out of my stomach and into my intestines.
That makes me feel full more quickly, so I eat less. I also feel full for longer and have stopped eating so many snacks.
One of the great things about this banding is that Dr. Liu didn’t change my anatomy at all – my stomach and intestines are the same as they were, and the band could be removed if I wanted that. I was in the hospital only for one day and under the anesthesia for only 30 minutes for the procedure, plus the bit of time for preparation. It was a perfect option for me.
Weight Loss Freed Me Up
In the few months since I had that banding procedure, I have lost 76 pounds and now weigh 308. I plan to get down to only 175 pounds. I have more energy and my son and I have been going out to the park. I’ve lost eight dress sizes. Just a couple of weeks after my surgery I received a promotion at work. I just find I can do more things now and don’t get so tired.
I’d like to let other people know that they could do this too. Now, when I see overweight people I want to tell them, “Hey, go and talk to Dr. Liu! He can help you.”
The outpatient clinic team are great. They have changed my life. I feel very appreciative that I had a surgeon and a hospital that took care of me the right way. If they hadn’t come along I think I’d still be miserable. I’m very grateful.
