Less Is More – My Gastric Banding Godsend

Posted: Monday 3 January 2011 08:29am

Gael Donaldson, 42, is Director of Marketing and PR at leading Sydney hair salon RAW Anthony Nader. Overweight since childhood, she was morbidly obese by her 30s, with a devastating array of emotional and physical issues. In March last year she finally decided to have a gastric banding procedure performed by Dr Craig Taylor of Sydney’s O Clinic. Her journey started at 116kg, she has so far lost 30kg and now weighs 86kg. Her goal weight it 75kg. By her own account, Gael is single and looking for love – gents take note!

Ever since I was a little girl I have been a bit “different “ from others.  Around the ages of nine and 10 I realised I was  plumper than the other girls and, as a result, I was often teased. I wouldn’t say I was bullied, but there was an underlying sadness and I can remember crying a lot.

I was adopted at birth and had always known and accepted it. However, there was (and still is) a connection missing.  I traced my natural mother when I was 21 to find out she died six months after having me and my natural father isn’t interested. I sometimes feel very lonely and disconnected.

My mother, as lovely as she is, was always ashamed of my weight. When visiting relatives she would apologise for the way I looked. I wasn’t allowed an afternoon snack like my sporty brothers. Bread was “the enemy” and I was ridiculed a lot. I took to secretly eating to compensate for my low self esteem and loneliness. I ate my feelings. I hated myself.

I was promiscuous in my teenage years and pretty much did what I could to feel accepted and liked, sacrificing my dignity along the way. I was never told I was loved (even though I had a loving, caring, happy childhood) and I can see in current and past relationships with friends that I crave reassurance. I have to learn I do deserve good things and that I am a good person.

The weight piled on over the years and it seems before I knew it, I was morbidly obese.  Five years ago, when I was 37, I started looking into gastric banding. An acquaintance had had the procedure and was dropping weight. I couldn’t bring myself to ask my family for financial help and it was just too far out of my financial reach at approximately $17,000 (that was what I was quoted by a big Sydney hospital at the time and involved a two-night stay, which ups the cost a lot. As you will see, it didn’t cost me nearly that much when I eventually had the procedure.)

Being overweight affects every area of your life, relationships with others and yourself. Everything has to be thought about in a way others take for granted: Will I fit on the plane? Oh no, do I have to get into my togs in front of other people? How will I get on the boat? How will I keep up with everyone? Is everyone laughing at me? Are my friends ashamed of me? If I order that will people think “look at the fat chick gorging herself?”

It was impossible for me to think anyone would love me; why would they when there are so many “normal” girls around and I wasn’t interested in “Chubby Chasers”. That seemed demoralising.

Being overweight is humiliating. People relentlessly offer you advice on weight loss centres, gyms, eating habits, where to shop etc and ironically all that does is make you want to comfort eat more.

I have experienced many shopping trips where things don’t fit and have ended up in tears - not at a gym but at McDonalds feeling out of control and pointless.

Physically I was constantly out of breath. My feet suffer from cracked heels. It was difficult to get motivated to do any exercise. I was borderline Type 2 diabetes. Things were looking bleak. I had to do something.

I had tried EVERY single diet known to man including Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, Lite ‘n Easy and all the gimmicky ones. Nothing could beat my lack of willpower.

I researched thoroughly online, sent out emails, compared costs and narrowed it down to two surgeons then went for consultations! I chose Dr Craig Taylor at the O Clinic in Sydney, because it felt right and I had amazing treatment. I felt Dr Taylor and his team really cared.

The initial consultation was a bit daunting and I was anxious. I made jokes to my friends about the waiting room looking like an audition for The Biggest Loser.

Even though at 116kg I was morbidly obese I was in some kind of denial and loathed other fat people (this has since changed). I didn’t want to be in the same category as “them” it hurt too much and I was so ashamed I had gotten that far. Although, god help anyone who made a fat joke or ridiculed overweight people!

It was a huge wake-up call – I was one of “them”, a FAT person. I am now proud to go into the clinic on a monthly basis and get weighed and congratulated on my progress and some of those lovely girls in the waiting room are good friends! I was guilty of giving the same discrimination I received!

Dr  Taylor put me immediately at ease by acknowledging Obesity is a disease. Those were the words I had been longing to hear. There wasnt anything wrong with me as a person. I was okay. He showed me using an actual band what the procedure would entail, how long it would take and exactly how much with no hidden costs. The initial consultation was $130. I was very happy to be on my way to a new me!

I had two consultations but was immediately “at home” at The O Clinic and Dr Taylor. I was booked in to have the surgery three weeks after the initial consultation. It was moving very fast.

I had surgery on March 3, 2010. It was an overnight stay and all went perfectly to plan. A girlfriend drove me to the hospital that morning. I was gowned up and whisked away pretty fast. After the procedure I was groggy but feeling good about my decision and couldn’t wait to get home.

There was minimal pain. The procedure was performed laparoscopically and there was hardly any pain, just mild discomfort (and barely any scarring!) . I took a week off work to relax and wrap my head around it but I really didn’t need all that time!

The results were immediate, but even before the procedure patients are required to go on Optifast a meal replacement plan for two weeks (this shrinks your liver and makes it easier for the surgeon to get to your stomach).

This phase is hard as you are obviously not used to not eating so it is a battle of the mind. But because you know there is light at the end of the tunnel it doesn’t feel like a “diet”. During this phase, around two weeks, you can lose 3-6kg so you do feel well on your way even before the surgery!

Not once did I feel regret. I did doubt myself but I know that stems from always second guessing everything I do.

After the surgery I was on a fluid diet for about two weeks while I healed, weeks 3-4 is the soft mushy food phase and then at week 5 you graduate to a wide range of everyday solid food such as chicken, fish, soft meats, pasta, rice, fruit and vegetables.

I never feel hungry. I have learnt to only to eat and drink when my body tells me, not a time line of set meals.

Occasionally I do get heartburn when I eat too fast or too much. It’s a trial and error process and you learn what you can eat comfortably. It’s also important not to have too much wine (empty calories!).

Gatsric banding costs about $10,000 ($500 with private health insurance) but for me it was no sacrifice. Yes, I was on ”Struggle Street” for a while but with great friends, family and employees anything is possible! It was most definitely orth it should have done it years ago!!

The fee also includes all medical reviews for check-ups (every month for gastric band, every 3 months for sleeve gastrectomy) until you reach your goal weight, then annually for life, plus all band adjustments including Huber needles and consumables

Two psychologist consultations (before surgery and again at six months) comes as part of the fee, as well as eight dietitian and nutritionist consultations and    fortnightly psychologist-moderated support group access, with full colour dietary handouts and brochures explaining everything you need to know including recipe tips.

There are no out-of pocket costs if you ever need any corrective surgery for your gastric band (providing you maintain your health insurance).

Physically everything is better now; walking, sleeping, exercising, swimming and socialising. All aspects of life are somewhat easier physically. Emotionally I feel more like the ME I’m supposed to be. I feel like my body is starting to match my self.

Nearly a year on, my self confidence has skyrocketed! Although I struggle to see a major difference myself and get very frustrated at times especially when my weight plateaus, the reaction from people towards me is inspiring. You never tire of hearing “wow, you look great”. My friends and my colleagues at RAW have been amazingly supportive.

Life is easier in the respect that I can walk up stairs without huffing and puffing, I walk more and more frequently. I feel less shy and a bit more confident. I don’t feel I am being sniggered about as I walk away.

The only thing I am not fond of is the loose skin, the “apron” that is getting worse around my stomach and also my upper arms and jowls!  That can all be addressed when I reach my goal and we shall see what the best plan of attack is. I am happy to go ahead with some skin removal and other procedures. It’s like you don’t want to go half way!

I’m still the same person BUT not afraid to go out in public, not afraid to receive the little bit of attention I am now getting from people. I feel invigorated and excited about the future. I like shopping for myself now too.

I had the band tightened as per normal procedure two weeks before Christmas so I was very restricted on food intake and didn’t feel like drinking too much.

I went on holidays with my best mate Matt and  I must admit there were times I felt left out when Matt and his wonderful family were tucking into the prawns and deeelicious Christmas fare. It wasn’t a hunger but a longing to bond and be a part of it all. Food is such a central focus at Christmas and you do feel a bit jilted!

It’s important to keep your eyes on the prize. Over Christmas I kayaked, went fishing, climbed in and out of trucks, swam in the ocean and the river – things I would have always found excuses not to do when I was fat.

I loved every minute of it and was very grateful to Matt for showing me I can do it!  It’s hard to get out of the old “I can’t do it” mindset so it’s important to try!

by Jenni Gilbert

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