I had never thought gastric banding would be available to me. I guess I thought it was only available for really big people who needed to lose 70kg or something insane like that! I knew a little about it but never actively researched it.

Last year when I was pregnant a girl, Nicole in my “due in December” group on a baby forum had a link to her website in her signature. So I clicked on it out of curiosity and it was about her journey through gastric banding. I sat for over an hour reading her site and looking at her photos. I was amazed! She looked amazing! It was then I thought gastric banding might be an option for me so I did a little more research.

Early this year our “Due in December” group had a meet up here on the Gold Coast I had the pleasure of meeting Nicole. We then became friends and she told me about her journey and put me in touch with her doctor.

I called the surgery and booked in for one of their info nights. Before the info night I did a lot of research on the procedure, side effects etc. So I was armed with a lot of information, but still had some questions. So off I went to the info night still on the fence about having the banding.

The info session was great, we were given the oppourtunity to talk with everyone involved - The Surgeon, Psychologist, Dietician and the Bariatric Physician. All of my questions were answered along with more I never knew I had and I walked away certain that this was the option for me.

Some may say surgery is an extreme option, but for me staying overweight is the extreme option. I am 27 years old, 35kg overweight and concidered morbidly obese. I have a new baby who is only getting more active and I am struggling to keep up with him now.

Once I became a mother my health became even more important than it ever has been. I am scared of diabetes, heart attack and heart disease and everything else my weight puts me at risk of. My son needs a Mum and I need to look after myself so I am around to look after him.

So I have decided to go ahead with the gastric banding. I have made my appointments to see the Psychologist, Dietician and Surgeon to start the process.

The surgery is a little expensive, I have private health insurance which takes care of the bulk of it. With private health insurance the cost is bought down from $19,000 to $7,900. So I have decided to access my superannuation to pay the rest. If you need medical treatment that is not covered under Medicare you can access your superannuation to pay for it.

I am really impressed with the team involved in the surgery. It is called the Circle of Care included in the surgery cost is a 12 month program after the surgery where the team of Psychologists, Dieticians, Bariatric Phsycian and Nurses support you through your weightloss. So you are not just given the surgery and left to your own devices. They want you to achieve the maximum weightloss and also to change your relationship with food and address any other issues my have that have lead to your weight gain or will prevent you from meeting your goals.

I don’t think I have ever been so ready to attack my weight! I am ready to take control of my life and work through my issues and become a new me! I am really excited to start the process and I wish I didn’t have to wait another week!