When she stepped into the clinic a year ago, Sandra’s main concern was the fact that eating had become like a sickness for her. When eating, the young lady had no sense of limits, tended to binge on food and the kilos kept adding up. Eventually she weighed 104 kg, and at that moment she felt that something needed to be done. Now, a year after the gastric band was placed on her stomach, she is 36 kg lighter and tells us about her experience and feelings.

‘I wanted to learn how to eat right’

“At the beginning of last year, I had finally had enough of having to hide my body, daily struggling with food and my weight, so I decided that things can’t go on like this – I have to lose weight, for my health and for my wellbeing. The most difficult thing for me was limiting the quantities that I ate, as well as the ability to maintain weight loss, so I wanted to learn how to eat right.

The solution I chose was gastric banding. I am very happy with my decision and I can say that I have almost reached my goals. My weight has gone down and I have developed new eating habits. The portions I eat are not much smaller, I chew my food properly, and although I do allow myself to eat the occasional ice cream or chocolate, there are a lot of things that are now not in my diet – I haven’t eaten sweet breads, sandwiches and pastries for already an entire year. These are just foods that don’t really go down well or make my stomach feel uncomfortable.

‘Gastric band helps to stay on track’

Before the operation, I browsed various forums from abroad and read about how people there had kept the gastric band on for 15-20 years. It helped them stay on track, so to speak. Indeed, over the past year I have experienced it myself, and there were moments where I would slip up, however, the gastric band immediately made me feel it and the excess food just came back up. Even at birthdays and special events, I feel a huge difference in how I eat. While before I could have had 3-4 helpings per night, now I even have a hard time finishing the first plate of food.

Sometimes I do grumble about it, when I look at others eating cake or pastries, however, that upsetting feeling passes quickly, because the gastric band really does bring along a lot more positive things than negative ones. Now I wear clothes that are 8 sizes smaller, I have much more energy and I’m happier, I feel good in my body and I don’t have that to eat or not to eat debate going on in my head all the time.

‘It seems like it all just went very fast’

When I think back to the operation now, it seems like it all just went very fast. During the first days, it did feel unpleasant, but I recovered quickly and was able to go home from the clinic in just a few days. Over the year, I went back to the clinic 3 times to fill the access port. I was very happy with the surgeon, who did my operation and the gastric band adjustment later – Dr. Viiklepp is always very correct and helpful, and when I wanted to know about the procedure more in-depth, he really explained everything to me very thoroughly. Actually, I didn’t have that many questions, because the whole procedure went exactly as I had been told at the clinic before the operation. So I never had any “I wasn’t told about that!” moments.

Gastric band changes your lifestyle and eating habits

When you get gastric banding, you have to consider that your lifestyle and eating habits will change. The band definitely does not keep you from enjoying your life, however, I do not recommend it for serious gourmet lovers. Thanks to these changes, I have experienced so much joy, and I am very happy to have had this opportunity. At the moment, I am continuing to slowing lose weight, because I still have a few kilograms to go before I reach my target weight. I didn’t set a goal of quick weight loss for myself, because I wanted my skin to have enough time to recover, so that it wouldn’t be left hanging loose.

For those who have a problem with their weight and cannot correct their eating habits on their own, I recommend coming to the clinic for a consultation. If the gastric surgery is not the right solution for them, then they do provide counselling for nutrition and exercising, which has also been very helpful for me throughout the whole process.”

Measurements one year after placing the gastric band:

Weight: 78 kg (-36 kg)

Body mass index (BMI): 27,31

Waist measurement: 91 cm (-22 cm)

Hip measurement: 95 cm (-19 cm)

Arm measurement: 27 cm (-9 cm)

Thigh measurement: 55 cm (-13 cm)

Attention! This is a healthcare service. Christinas Clinic is licensed by the Health Board, permit L04361 (CBF Medical OÜ). The gastric band operation is performed by dr Ants Viiklepp.