Become a Success Story

Meet Billie Sullivan

As a working mom, Billie Sullivan spent almost every evening last summer in the drive-thru of the fast food joint. It may have been quick and easy, but it was taking a toll on her body. By the time fall rolled around, she had racked on an additional 25-30 pounds and was wearing a size 24 pants. This 32 year-old said she knew she was unhealthy, but what bothered her most was missing so much of her 10 year-old daughter’s childhood. She would take her daughter to the park to play and she would sit in the car because she was tired and because she “was just too fat to sit in a swing.”

She fell into the busy mom syndrome where taking care of her family took most of her time. Her job, her child, keeping up with the house, all came first.

“My own health took a backseat for too long.”

Depressed and lacking energy, Billie decided it was time to put herself back on the “to-do list” and do something about her weight. She was one of the first people to inquire with the brand new Weight Management Program at Wyoming Medical Center in September 2008. Billie said she had looked into gastric bypass in the past, but was attracted to what The Weight Management Program could offer with the LAPBAND ® Adjustable Gastric Banding system and a quicker recovery from surgery. Plus, it was available right in her hometown.

“I didn’t even have to think about it. I knew I wanted to do it. I knew I needed to do it,” said Billie.

After completing the pre-surgery program, which included meetings with nutritionists, exercise physiologists, and Deb, the program coordinator, Billie had surgery to insert the LAP-BAND ® Adjustable Gastric Banding system in January. She’s had to adjust to a new way of eating – smaller portions, more lean meats, and more fruits and vegetables. And she’s had to make time to exercise. That meant putting herself first for the first time in a very long time. Now she’s at the gym six times a week for at least an hour at a time. Her hard work has paid off as she has already lost 80 pounds since beginning the program.

She wants to get to her goal weight by this fall.

“I can’t wait until summer when I can finally get on a bike and go riding with my daughter.”

Learn more about the LAP-BAND System by attending our free seminars.