Tragic Loss Inspires Change for Stefanie Ramundo
To say that lap band surgery has made a dramatic difference in Stefanie Ramundo's life is an understatement. At age 31, there is almost nothing about her life today that is the same as it used to be.
Three years ago Stefanie weighed 315 pounds. She used three inhalers and took a pill every day to control asthma. She took other medications for chronic back pain and diabetes. Stefanie needed help carrying groceries in from the car, and she couldn't carry laundry or clean the house without frequent breaks to catch her breath. "At one point I was taking 20 pills a day for various health problems. I was extremely unhealthy," she says matter-of-factly.
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Stefanie has Two Wake-Up Calls
Two important life events provided the impetus for change. Stefanie's thirtieth birthday was getting closer by the day. Then her brother died of cancer after a long battle. "His doctors told him he would have lost his fight much earlier if he weren't so healthy. I realized if it were me with the cancer, I would never have been able to fight as long as he did." The realization resulted in Stefanie's commitment to change, and she began to research weight loss surgery.
She was thrilled with the possibilities. "It was exciting to know there were options available to help me change my life." She joined chat rooms for people who had had or were contemplating weight loss surgery. She also attended an information session hosted by Dr. Kerlakian. After reviewing all her options, Stefanie settled on LAP-BAND surgery. But she soon learned that LAP-BAND surgery would not be possible unless she lost 40 pounds. "I went on a strict, all-liquid diet,” she explains, “and 45 days later I was 40 pounds lighter!"
Now three years later, Stefanie recalls the surgery was easy. "I wasn't worried one bit, and the staff was amazing. I was uncomfortable, but not in pain." Three days after her surgery she resumed work from a home computer. Seven days after surgery she was back at the office.
Stefanie Now Half Her Size
At 170 pounds, Stefanie is nearly half her former self. Her fierce commitment to change puts her at the gym six days a week. And when she gets to work each morning, she bypasses the elevator and climbs 16 flights of stairs to her office instead. She also bypasses all medications which were a part of her pre-surgery life. "My asthma is 90 percent improved and the diabetes is gone."
Stefanie's marketing career has skyrocketed. "I've gotten two promotions since the surgery, partly because I have more energy and more mental clarity." She's sick less often too. "I used to get sick three or four times during flu season. Recently I went a year-and-a-half without so much as a cold."
No longer a couch potato, Stefanie's favorite activities are exercising with friends and learning to cook healthier meals and snacks. "I'm amazed," she laughs.