Wow, I cannot believe it's been a year since my surgery. Well in 1 week it will be a year. I was banded on 6/18/09. I definitely do not regret my decision to have this done. My activity level has increased significantly. I just feel so much better and lighter on my feet. My highest weight was 325 lbs two years ago, My pre-surgery weight was 309. Since then I have been able to get down to 242. Which is 83 lbs lost from my highest weight and 67 lbs lost since having the band. I basically have had no complications so far, which I am very greatful for. (Thanks to GOD and Dr. Finelli for doing a great job)

I probably could have lost more weight over the last year if I had consistently excercised and gotten my fills closer together. The main form of excercise I get is going out dancing. I dance hard for a couple of hours about once a week. That's not enough I know, but it is much better than nothing, and that's what I was doing before contemplating surgery, no excercise at all.

I just had another fill 2 days ago on 6/11/10. I was well overdue for the fill. I had to postpone due to having a couple of breakins in my apartment and having to move to a new home quickly. I didn't want to take too much leave from work at once so I postponed my appointment by 3 months. By the time I had this last fill, I was pretty much ravenous. I was hungry all the time, I could eat more than what I think is reasonable to be able to lose weight and I started to snack alot to try and keep my hunger down. I found myself eating out more often and not being able to make it home from work without eating right before leaving work or stopping somewhere on the way.

Thank goodness for this last fill. My hunger has gone way down and my restriction is much better. The last time I went to the doctor he told me that I was filled to 5.5cc in my 10 cc band. This time when he checked the fluid in the band, he told me it was only at 5.0 ccs. The other .5 ccs must have evaporated. I am now filled to 5.75 ccs according to my doctor. I have lost 2 llbs since having this fill. Not bad for 2 days. I'm glad to see the scale moving again.

On my previous fill, I lost about 20lbs in the first 4-6 weeks, then I only lost 5lbs in the next 3 months, so I really needed to come back for that fill sooner. 25lbs lost since my last fill is still not bad though. Now that I have another fill, I think I will be able to control my eating habits much better.

Anyway that's my story thus far, I am looking forward to seeing myself 1 year from now. I am really optimistic about how I am going to look and feel. I'm really happy that I am living in a time where there is something available that can actually work for me. I'm glad I don't have to be stuck at my highest weight feeling like I can't do anything about it and being on a continuous cycle of failure that only weakens the self-esteem on top of the fact that you have to walk around feeling extremely self-conscious.

Anyway, I just wanted to update you all and let you know I am happy and healthy thus far and continuing on my lapband journey. Good luck a and much success to all on your goals.

Takiyah