My name is Nikki and I would like to share a profound accomplishment I have achieved in my life, and to express gratitude to those who helped.
In 2010, I had my Lap-Band surgery which in my case was really a life saver. I weighed well over 400 lbs, and suffered the usual dangerous side effects. I was pre-diabetic, had a hypo-thyroid and high blood pressure, all of which were controlled with medications. I was only 28 years old and taking more pills than most ailing people in their 60’s. I was wearing a size 6X which made shopping for clothes an absolute nightmare. I would barely venture to walk down the road, as walking even a block would wear me out. And my craving for horseback riding was no more than a childhood memory. This is when I decided to take control of my life. After many failed fad diets and with the support of my great family, loving boyfriend, and amazing friends, I decided to have the Lap-Band surgery. My parents and I had looked into other weight loss procedures and the Lap-Band surgery came out on top as the least invasive.
Within the first of year of having my Lap-Band at SmartShape Weight Loss Centre I dropped about 100 lbs, was taken off ALL my medications and was no longer a pre-diabetic. I set myself up with a personal trainer and found a new meaning in working out at the gym. I could move again! I now take on the challenge of fast walking strides for as far as 5 kilometers.
Today, I am wonderfully mobile, weighing in at 270 lbs, and still actively losing weight. This equates to a weight loss of over 150 lbs.
Although my journey has not been easy, it has been truly amazing and worth it every step of the way. I am living an active life style, regularly going to the gym, eating healthy and shopping with happiness as every thirty something woman should. I now walk proudly in my new size.
I appreciate that my journey is not over and look forward for what is to come. My new experience of life is just beginning and for this I am most grateful to the Lap-Band and the smart, caring staff at SmartShape.