Alan: LAP-BAND Surgery
My journey began in 1972 when I started first grade. I am the kid who liked school lunches and always went back for seconds. Now, flash forward 35 years and 350 lbs, you see me in July of 2007 when I first walked into Dr. Bagnato’s office. It took me another two years (and an additional 20 lbs) before I finally got a surgery date for my Lap Band surgery. I had to get my Human Resources office involved in order to get my insurance company to approve the surgery.
August 1, 2009 is the day I ended my journey to obesity! I started the Sugar Busters Diet on August 1, 2009 in preparation for an October 2, 2009 surgery. I have dropped 30% of my total body weight (down 128 pounds). I swim a mile to a mile-and-a-half 4 or 5 days a week, competed in my first swim meet since I was a child this past March and look forward to another in December. Huffing and puffing when walking up a single flight of stairs is not longer an issue. Before surgery I was on three blood pressure meds, two diabetes meds and one cholesterol med. Today I take a single blood pressure med (I hope to lose it soon). I have gone from a size 64 pants in July 2009 to a 48 in October 2010. I have already reached two of my written goals – riding all the rides at Wild Adventures and buying clothes at the local Wal-Mart.
Even though I am only about half way through my weight loss journey, I really believe I will transform from Jabba the Hutt to Han Solo in the next two to three years.
Would I do it again?
- In a heartbeat! I am proud to be a Bagnato Band-it! It has truly changed my life.
Any complications since getting your Lap Band?
- Nope! But I do have to relearn my limitations every time I get an adjustment.
Any advice for people considering Lap Band?
- Talk to people who have had it. The Forsyth crowd was very good to me!
- Find a support group and be an active participant. They are the best resource you have. Again the Forsyth crowd has been a tremendous help as well as my family.
Find an exercise routine that you like and stick with it, for me it is swimming. The first time in the pool, I lasted about 500 yards and was pooped, now I swim like a fish.
As Alan’s mom, I’ve been close to his journey…he’s truly an inspiritation to all us overweight folks. I AM SO ROUD OF HIM
Alan —
You are a WINNER and a LEADER – an inspiration to us all – CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Barry
What a blessing in sharing this inspiring story. Congratulations and be encouraged.
Janice Jenkins
Alan,
You and I have been through years of up and down weights, sharing our experiences and success/failure with each other. You’ve always been an inspiration to me and especially now that we’re in it to win it! 🙂 I appreciate your constant support and encouragement. Keep up the good work, kid! Thank you so much for sharing your personal journey.
Alan – you are awesome!!!! I am proud of you for the tremendous progress you have made. I know it hasn’t been easy but you are an example of commitment. An inspiration to us all.
Alan,
This was an inspiration in itself to read your heart warming story. I can truly relate to how your life have been with the weight lose endeavors….hard…. Hopefully one day I will have a story to inspire others as well. keep it up……:)
GREAT, Alan! You looked great at Thanksgiving. The jeans you held up must be the ones in the pic. They’d swallow you now. Keep up the good work. I will be coaching folks to do the same in the practice after the holidays.
I’m so proud of you Dad!!!!!!! I think you look amazing!!!!
What can I say. I’ve known you from the “big” years to the way you are today. You are definitely an inspiration. I know your family is very proud of you as well as your GEICO family. KEEP IT UP, MY MAN!
Alan, I am so proud of you. You are a great person and very inspiring.
WOW, I am impressed and proud of you..I know you must be proud..weight is hard to get a grip on..keep us posted with updated pics…
Congratulations on all your hard work Alan. I know how you must work at this every minute of the day. I had a full bypass 8 months ago and I struggle every day. You are dedicated to yourself and I so admire that. You must feel as good as you look. Thanks for your story.
Cathy
Alan, since high school… you’ve been a dear, dear friend. Thank you for sharing your story with us… and let us help you continue down your “downsizing” path… one of the few GOOD downsizing stories I’ve heard in a long time.
Michelle.
WOW this is amazing ! You look great. I’m sure the gift you have given yourself is the way you feel now. We are very proud of you. Way to go !!!!! will look forward to seeing you soon. Tim and Carrie
I am so proud of you Alan and you look wonderful!!!!!Aunt Dana
Alan, I’ve seen you at least two times in the last six months and was amazed at your progress. I know that it takes a lot more than having surgery to accomplish what you have and I think all your hard work and your courage to keep it up makes you more than a winner. You look great and I am proud of you.
Alan, I’ve seen you at least two times in the last six months and was amazed at your progress. I know that it takes a lot more than having surgery to accomplish what you have and I think all your hard work and your courage to keep it up makes you more than a winner. You look great and I am proud of you
WOW WHAT CAN I SAY!!!!!!! YOU ARE LOOKING GOOD, KEEP UP THE GOOD EATING AND EXERCISE HABITS.GLAD TO SEE YOU HAVE COME OFF MOST OF YOUR MEDS WITH JUST ONE MORE TO GO.LIKE I SAID WHAT CAN I SAY!!!
Alan,
You are truly an inspiration. I’m so proud of you, your courage, and your determination. BRAVO!
Angela
Way to go Alan!! Keep it up (down?). You look great! Can’t wait to see you at the Plaza.
John
Alan you look so good and I’m proud of you. I had my surgery on 12-9-10 and I feel like its the begining of saving my life. after recovery I’m going to invest in doing water arobics. I’m very grateful to have Dr. bagnato as my doctor. I’m looking forward to getting to the new me and do realize that I have to be consistant with exercising and wathcing what I eat. I has taken a lot of hard work to get to this point. I thank God that I have arrived.
may God continue to bless you. keep up the good work
katrina
Congratulation –
Your an inspiration (I may need to do a little research)
Great job, Alan! You look awesome!
You are looking great Alan! You inspired me to get back on my diet and stick to it.
What a guy!! Thanks for sharing this with us at our last meeting.What an inspiration you are and the twinkle in your eye says it all.Does your cheeks hurt as much as mine from smiling? We are getting there and learning the importance of good health and feeling good. I feel great,also.See you at our next meeting.
WOW!!!! You know you are an inspiration to me. CONGRATS!!!
Alan,
You look amazing. I’ve only known you four years, but you have always shown a great “can-do” attitude for work and life. Keep smiling and reaching your goals !
We are so proud of you, but regardless of your weight, you were always a beautiful person. We are just so happy that you want to give us all more time with you to enjoy such a great person. There is no greater challenge that I can imagine that we are faced with – and you have shown you have the determination to do anything you want. I agree with so many comments – that is a true leader and high achiever. I know your family is so proud of you – but we coworkers are too! I think we should have a party to celebrate – and learn to have parties without them revolving around fat food. Turn the music up and dance!
Alan I enjoy seeing your progress everyday. You are doing a fabulous job. I know the daily struggle as you know. WE will NEVER go back. Keep it up.
Alan, I had to come check out the website after our conversation the other day. You have so much to be proud of and you look amazing. Keep it up! Like others have said I’ll have an inspirational story one day, just like you. Thanks for sharing!
You have an amazing story and you have already touched many lives I am sure. Keep up the good work and keep sharing your story. People like me needed to hear from people like you. I had my surgery June 6, 2011 and I have lost 55 1/2 lbs. I am looking forward to being a new person. Congratulations and good luck on your journey.