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 My name is Lisa. I had the LAP band surgery on June 14, 2007 with Dr.
Rumbaut; I weighed at the time 225lbs. I am now down to 160lbs, my goal is
to weigh between 145-150 lbs. I must say this was a life changing experience
for me. I have never been happier, I feel great, and my self-esteem has shot
through the roof. I have always been athletic, but if I had not been
athletic I would have weighed significantly more than I had. I've played
lacrosse (was a goalie for top High School team in the nation), basketball,
and tennis. I played competitive tennis all through high school. I was on
the varsity team all four years and played #2 singles and my freshman year
of college. Because of this surgery I have been able to play college tennis
at a Division III University and had the best season of my life; I was 22-3
on the season in singles and 24-2 in doubles. I was nominated "College
Rookie of the Week" for 4 weeks in a row for the entire south. Because of my
success on the court, other college coaches have been trying to recruit me.
I am in the best shape of my life and I am happy to report that I'm
transferring to a big Division I university to play for a top 20 team in the
nation. Without this surgery coaches would have never considered me for
their team because the general consensus is that "fat girls can't play
tennis." Most thought I would not be able to keep up with the other girls on
the team. Tennis coaches that I had contacted before my weight loss were
uninterested in having me on their teams, but now, are after me. It's very
reward to be in the driver's seat for once and say 'thanks, but no thanks."
Because of my weight loss I now play a higher level of tennis and play with
no fear. Sometimes I feel sorry for my opponents because they have no idea
what they will be facing when they meet me on the tennis courts.
How did I get to this weight? I ate everything bad, ate huge portions, and I
would inhale my food. As I was eating one meal, I was thinking about my next
big meal, I never had the sensation of feeling full. As I got heavier,
eating became more of an escape and I looked towards food for everything. I
was at my heaviest at my senior prom, I didn't realize how large I was until
I looked back at the picture. I had very low self esteem, I had back and
knee pain. But my friends loved me big or small; they have been behind me
every step of the way. I tried all the diets you could think of, but I just
could not manage to keep the weight off. I found out about Dr. Rumbaut from
my Aunt's neighbor who had surgery with him. Here in the US, I would have
never qualified for the surgery because I was only 85 lbs overweight, I
would have to gain 15 more lbs to even be considered for the surgery. There
was no way I wanted to gain weight to get the surgery in the US. So, we
chose Dr. Rumbaut and his team because they were willing to help me in any
way they could. I was nervous walking into the hospital and for the doctors,
but when I saw the facilities and the surgical team, I felt completely
relaxed and ready to proceed with the surgery. Since the surgery, I have
maintained a VERY strict diet, I have not cheated, I exercise as much as I
can. In fact, I was the only freshman who came to college and lost weight
their first year. It helped that I played on the team 6 days a week every
week, matches 3 times a week and a very heavy workout schedule. Now, I live
life to the fullest and try and make the most out of everything and enjoy
every minute of it. I have never been happier, I don't remember a time since
the surgery I was not smiling nor had a happy glow in my face. I feel great,
I have gone from a size 18-20 to a size 8-9. Now shopping is not a painful
or embarrassing experience anymore, I love the fact that I can go into any
store and try on whatever I want! My ultimate goal is to fit into bikini
because I have never been able to wear one. I know I will not be a size 3-4,
but I just want to look toned, healthy, and athletic.
Lisa
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