As the number of candles on my birthday cake increased year after year, I was more concerned with the increase in pounds that showed on my scale.

I'm a classic yo-yo dieter. I've tried so many diets, most more than once. I would lose five, twelve, twenty pounds, only to gain them back, and more. My hips, knees and feet hurt constantly. I felt like my body was twice the age that my driver's license listed. I love riding with my husband on his motorcycle, but I was feeling awkward and cumbersome as a passenger. More seriously, I developed gastric reflux and sleep apnea, and I feared becoming hypertensive and diabetic. Though I didn't have as much weight to lose as some bariatric patients, I was just as frustrated and angry at myself for my lack of success with my many years of yo-yo dieting.

I foresaw my future and knew it was time to take action. I attended a bariatric information session at Columbus Regional Health, then scheduled an appointment with one of our bariatric surgeons to see if I was a candidate for the LapBand. Fortunately, I met the criteria to have the LapBand procedure performed. All along the way, the support and care I received from the employees at the Weight Loss Institute of Columbus Regional Health has been exemplary.

LapBand surgery is the tool I needed to learn the discipline it takes for me to lose my excess weight. My hip, knee and foot pain are much improved. I no longer have trouble with sleep apnea and gastric reflux. A healthy diet and exercise has become a part of my daily life. My husband even says he sees a difference when I ride a motorcycle with him now!

I feel fabulous, and I have a whole lot of living left to do!