By Jane Sprandel
We have all been there as moms where we look in the mirror and say, “If I could only lose this weight!” What happens when your weight becomes not only a hardship for you personally but also for your family?
Jane Sprandel before her Lap-Band surgery in 2010. (Photo provided)
In the last year I had one of those moments in my life where I said enough is enough with the weight. I was looking down at a scale that said I weighed 324 pounds. Not something that you shout from the rooftop by any means! Instead of doing that I decided to do something about it. I made the decision to look into having Lap-Band Surgery to help make the forever lifestyle change in my life not just for myself but also for my family.
Not only did I decide to do Lap Band I decided to share it with the world by beginning a blog and sharing my journey with others so that they could help encourage me and hold me accountable. What I did not realize is that I too would be encouraging them at the same time!
I was 34 at the time and I wanted to be here for as long as possible for my husband and my three wonderful kids. I did a lot of research and I met with a local surgeon here in Champaign-Urbana named Dr. Sidney Rohrscheib at Illinois Bariatric Center.
There are many things that are required for you to do before your insurance will approve you for this surgery — a doctor-supervised diet (I happened to do Weight Watchers), a high enough BMI (and other risk factors that make you a good candidate), lab work, physical, a psychological exam, and in my opinion the most important: the promise to yourself to be successful.
This is not a surgery that you go in and say I want to do it next week. Typically someone has to wait six months to a year, sometimes longer.
I began in March of 2010 weighing 324 pounds. While preparing for my possible surgery I worked hard making changes in my life with Weight Watchers. In June the 16 pounds that I had lost I gained back due to a major ankle injury requiring surgery. Instead of giving up I was determined to do what I had to do so that I could still have my surgery and change my life forever. On October 19, 2010, I checked in for my out patient surgery weighing 307.
Since the beginning I have lost a total of 91 pounds on this journey. I currently weigh 233 — the lowest I can remember in my adult life. The band is only a tool in my “tool box” for the new me. I watch what I eat, how much I eat, I have given up all soda and high-calorie drinks, I go to the gym, I take vitamins, and I mentally tell myself everyday that you can do this because you ARE doing it pound by pound! I will also admit that I am a bit a typical. I have had excellent results but I have been told that is because I work the program 100 percent everyday of my life…..my NEW life!
A recent photo of Jane Sprandel - post weight-loss. (Photo provided)
As I sit here sharing my story with a larger audience than my blog covers I can honestly say that my weight did affect my life as a mother and wife. I was starting to feel less attractive and my self esteem was starting to diminish as I gained weight. I began to sway away from riding amusement park rides and such with my kids because it was starting to get uncomfortable. I was still able to be active with my family but I can not put into words what this new lifestyle has done not only for myself but for my family.
I have energy, I am so content, I am doing things with my kids that I have never done like go down slides and stuff with them. This decision to change my life could not have come at a better time. You may only have a few pound to loose or you may have a few hundred but know that as women we all have struggles and it is okay to finally say, “Enough is enough I want my life back!”
This has been an honor to share my journey with others, and I am willing to do all that I can to help others to make a change not only for their family but more importantly for THEMSELVES!
Jane Sprandel lives in Thomasboro with her husband Tony and their children Seth (11), McKenna (9) and Raegyn (6). One day she decided that she was sick of being morbidly obese and was determined to do something about it. Join in on the journey as a mom regains her life for not only herself but also her family — follow her blog at http://www.bandincu.blogspot.com.
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Wow! Hooray for you, Jane! Can’t wait to read more about your progress.
Jane you are a great person. Thank you for sharing your story!
Jane – what a true inspiration you are! You have done so wonderful in your weight loss journey so far and undoubtedly have a successful future ahead of you. As an employee at Mettler Center in Champaign, I see so many people who want to lose weight just like you have. You clearly have dedication and a zest for life – congratulations!