Weigh-Ins are on MONDAYS - Updated July 3, 2017

Surgery Date: October 20, 2009:

Monday, May 6, 2013

Why Am I Honest About My Lap-Band?

Why have I been so fearless to share with the entire world about my weight loss using this blog?

Why am I out and proud with my Lap-Band?

Someone asked me this exact question a few days ago:

Why did I choose to be open about my weight loss journey with the Lap-Band?

Aren't I afraid of what people will think of me?

Aren't I ashamed what people will think when they know that I couldn't achieve long term successful weight loss using the usual traditional methods?

Aren't I embarrassed to have a Lap-Band?

NOPE.

Wanna feel my port? I'll let ya. No biggie.

But seriously, when I started this blog, NONE of those questions crossed my mind....EVER.

Why should I worry about what others think of me?

I've had a bigger issue to worry about these past three and half  years:  MY HEALTH.

In my opinion, there are two main reasons why I started this blog.

Now that I think about it, two rather selfish reasons:
  1. Accountability: weekly weigh-ins. Every Friday. There is no "done" in maintenance. There is no Finish Line.
  2. Documenting my journey: I can look back on my 891 blog posts and see how far I've come.
I can genuinely say that if I hadn't been so open about my weight loss journey, I wouldn't have been as successful with my Lap-Band.

For example, I remember back in the Weight Watchers days, I would sign-up but not tell anyone that I joined WW.  Then,  if  when I wasn't successful in losing weight, it was no bid deal because no one knew that I was trying to lose weight.  No accountability. At all.

Discussing my band comes up in my everyday life too with people who ask the common questions "What's that medical ID bracelet for?" or "Don't you have a blog? What's that all about?"

Did you know that some of the most supportive people of my Lap-Band have come from the most unique and unexpected places?

An old boss.

A close friend's Mom.

The pharmacist behind the counter at Target.

That random guy at the gym.

Support is out there.

...and if I didn't talk about my journey, I never would have heard their stories.

I wouldn't have had those brief moments to share in their journeys of improved health.

To hear their honesty.

Now as I look back on almost four years of blogging, I realize that it's not really all about me. (Note: sarcasm)

This blog has become a way to share with those who are also affected by obesity. 

To let them know that there's another option and choice to achieve long term weight loss: weight loss surgery.

We're in this journey together.

...and I'm not going anywhere.

Onwards.

12 comments:

  1. I TOTALLY agree with you! I'm coming up on my first bandervisary and I basically tell anyone and everyone that I'm 111 lbs lighter because I chose to have lap band surgery!!! I keep a blog and have gotten some great advice, virtual friends walking (or running like Chelle :) in this journey with me and it helps me get things out!!!!!

    Your blog was my first. I know I've told you this before, but your honesty helped me make a very informed, real choice on how this tool works!!!! It's not an over night success. You have to work at it, but it's TOTALLY possible!!!!!!!


    Thank you LBG ;)

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  2. I love your BLOG and am so THANKFUL for it and your openess. Everyday I login to mine I check yours for new post. You inspire us all :)

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  3. Exactly! Are you sure I didn't write that post?
    These past 5.5 years and the success that I have had is a very large part due to MY BLOG! Some days I have no idea if anyone even reads the damn thing but gosh darn it....it is as much a part of my journey as my Lapband so I will continue to blog and blog and blog. Sometimes I don't even mention the word Lapband in my postings but each one of them is in someway related to it. Why? Because WITHOUT my Lapband, we would NOT be living my life the way I now live it.
    Onward!
    Judi
    BTW....love your blog!

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  4. if it weren't for your blog i would never have started bloggineg let alone reading other peoples blogs. I had originally only told close family members about my band but then one day I was with some PTA moms at a school function where we were giving out cupcakes and I let them know that I couldn't eat it because of my band and in telling them I felt free so that night I opened up on FB- the end all be all of public forums- I had such an outpoufing of support that I now post my weekly weigh ins (not the actual weight, I leave that for my blog) but good or bad I let them know how much and what direction the scale went. I have actually inspired people to get off their butts and do something and I am proud of that.
    In the begining I was concerened with what people thought- but then I saw a quote that I love- "it is none of my buisness what people think of me" and I stay true to that- i just wish I could have accepted that when I was growing up.
    thank you so much for letting us in on your journey. I'm sure I am not alone when I say you helped me move forward in my journey.

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  5. I found your blog when I was still in the process of getting information about weight loss surgery. My dad was a big supporter but I was so nervous about the idea. I felt like if I went though with it I was cheating some how. I did a google search and I found your blog about your surgery seminar and read it. As soon as I was finished I started at the beginning and read you ENTIRE blog into the early morning hours. I was so amazed by your journey and decided that I wanted to be brave like you and all the other people I found while reading your blog. Thank you so much for your "selfish" documentation...it helped me change my life!

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  6. I have not had the courage to come out to everyone but I do believe in the accountability I have learned from you. I blog and I log(my food, exercise)..it totally has given me the accountability that I need to lose this weight!

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  7. Love it! I am out too :)

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  8. I'm generally a very private person, so having a (somewhat) anonymous blog has meant the world to me. I agree -- there is no way I would have been as successful without that accountability that sharing the journey has given me. OR, without the support of fabulous blogging bandsters like you. xoxo

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  9. Every once in a while a gem shows up on all of these blogs. This one..is a gem.

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  10. I am so glad that you decided to start a blog because I get more inspiration from this blog than any other information on the internet. You are a LapBand Celebrity in my eyes. Thanks for sharing :))

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  11. I am so glad that you decided to start a blog because I get more inspiration from this blog than any other information on the internet. You are a LapBand Celebrity in my eyes. Thanks for sharing :))

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  12. Great article ...Thanks for your great information, the contents are quiet interesting. I will be waiting for your next post.

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