Success Stories

Jodi's Story

I think that life is hard enough with the added pressure of being seriously overweight. Two years and 115 lbs ago, I'd reached my breaking point. My goal was to achieve a healthier lifestyle and gain long term control of my weight. Since I work in the medical field, I was very thorough in researching my options. The LAP-BAND® System was an easy choice for me, because it was a non-invasive, low risk weight loss procedure with minimal recovery time. My surgery was on a Friday — I went home the next day and was back to work Monday morning! I've maintained my goal weight for over two years and my life has changed in so many positive ways. Thanks to the support of the LAP-BAND®, I can keep up with my children and I no longer have to worry about my weight. I feel more energetic, younger and much happier. I exercise, go boating, skiing, snorkeling, and do many things I could never have dreamt of doing before I had the LAP-BAND®. And, I can even wear a bikini!

Amanda's Story

After years of yo-yo dieting, gaining back even more weight every time I quit, I gave up. At 304 lbs, I thought I was out of weight loss options. From my nursing experience, I knew the risks associated with gastric bypass, and wasn't willing to take them. Then I learned about the LAP-BAND® System weight loss surgery and I knew right away it was the best choice for me. Since my surgery in 2003, I've gone from a size 30 dress down to a size 14. I feel so great about my decision, my positive lifestyle changes, and even better about my results. Best of all, I look like a new woman and I'm in control of my life!

Rebecca's Story

I've struggled my whole life with my weight, like many of you. My father is a doctor, and he watched and supported me through all of the diet plans, none of which I could stick to long term. The minute I went off the diet, the weight would come back, and then some. Physically, I suffered from knee and back pain, chronic GERD and asthma. Emotionally, I felt isolated.

My dad is the one who introduced me to the LAP-BAND® System, and encouraged me to really take it seriously. I learned that I was ready to and willing to commit to a new lifestyle, and that the LAP-BAND® was right for me. I was scared at first that I would fail again — but I had the support of my dad, the advice and help from my nutritionist and surgeon who monitored me very closely. Pretty soon the weight started falling off and before I knew it, I had lost 110 lbs! I’ve never looked back — my LAP-BAND® keeps me in control of my life and my lifestyle, and I’m healthy and happy, at last.

Robin's Story

Being drastically overweight, I had tried everything. I wanted to lose the weight and looked into all the options. I felt the gastric bypass was too drastic a surgery but I knew I needed to do "something big". When I heard about the LAP-BAND®, I knew immediately it was perfect for me. I understood that the LAP-BAND® would help me lose weight through a new lifestyle, that included reduced food intake BUT without the starvation and depravation. And, I thought it was great that, if I got pregnant or was ill, all the fluid could be removed and I could have a temporary "regular" stomach again. It seemed like a no-brainer. Now, three and a half years after LAP-BAND® surgery, I am a totally transformed person! The LAP-BAND® changed my life…and, I don’t feel deprived — I feel alive!

Alan's Story

Being overweight most of my adult life, I thought I had grown comfortable with my size, but as the years went by, my body became a burden. At 345 lbs, I had developed Type II diabetes. As a result, I had to take medication four times a day and developed diabetic neuropathy in my fingers and feet. My doctors told me that any quality of life would only last for the next 8-10 years — all because of my weight. My only option was permanent weight loss. Because the LAP-BAND® is a less invasive surgery I had a small recovery time and experienced little discomfort. It’s the best investment I ever made. A year and a half later I went from 345 lbs to 212 lbs — I lost 133 lbs! I don’t have to take any medication for diabetes anymore. Because of my weight loss with the LAP-BAND® I am now able to live life again, instead of just existing. As one of my LAP-BAND® friends said, "Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels".

Elma's Story

Before my surgery, I spent 20 years feeling ashamed of how I looked. I was miserable. Every joint in my body hurt from packing around that horrible weight. In January 2001, I made a life-changing decision to have the LAP-BAND® surgery. Now, I am wearing size 10 clothes! That is far beyond what my original goal was, so I am thrilled. Every day, I am amazed at this new body of mine, and I love being able to do or wear anything I want without a second thought! Best of all, sharing my success with the LAP-BAND® and letting people know about this wonderful, safe and minimally invasive weight-loss surgery is so much fun.

Tammi's Story

When I was in my teens I was very athletic. When I was in my 20s I gained all the weight. I tried every diet known to man. Nothing worked for me. I would lose 30 pounds and gain 50 every single time. And I did that ten times over. So when I looked into the LAP-BAND®, it just seemed that it was my last hope, the last chance for me to change my life. My husband wasn’t even able to carry me over the threshold on our wedding night because I was just too heavy. But now he picks me up all the time. There’s nothing that I would do to trade this. Now, I can eat just the right amount to be able to sustain my weight.