28 months ago I got the band. What a ride its been. Below are my stats - month by month - as you can see, the longer you have the band and the closer you get to goal, the harder its been for me. Some fly right to their goal, for me, its been hard work - and lots of it!

Consultation with Doc 11/24/06 - 248.9

Surgery Date 1/18/07 - 226

1 mo post op (Feb 18)- 206.8

2 mo post op (March 18) - 198

3 mo post op (April 18th)- 193

4 mo post op (May 18th)- 184.2

5 mo post op (June 18th(- 178

6 mo post op (July 18th)– 174

7 mo post op (Aug 18th)- 178 - went on vacation and ate big (7 day cruise)

8 mo post op (Sept 18th)- 174

9 mo post op (Oct 18th)- 170

10 mo post op (Nov 18th) - 167

11 mo post op (Dec 18th) - 170 - haven’t even been trying

12 mo post op (Jan 18th 2008)- 174 - again, not trying. But finally refocused - exactly where I was at 6 mos post op – so basically no weight loss in the past 6 mos

13 mo post op (Feb 18th) - 183 - Ouch! started taking steroids and made my weight go up, along with not eating right and no exercise!

14 mo post op (March 18th)- 185 - grrrrr

15 mo post op (April 18th)- 180 - weight is finally going down, but inches are actually coming off faster since I've been exercising a lot.

16 mo post op (May 18th)- 178

17 mo post op (June 18th)- 175

18 mo post op (July 18th)- 179- still not focussed:sad:

19 mo post op -(Aug 18th) - 178 - focussed again - This time I am committed to getting to goal and will not stray! I do not ever want to see the 180's again!

20 mo post op (Sept. 18) - 171 - :cursing:

21 mo post op (Oct 18) - 168

22 mo post op (Nov 18) - 169 - I am focussed and doing good, but need to get back to exercising. I want to hit 160 by year end.

23 mo post op (Dec 18) - 166 - only 6 more pounds to get to my goal by year end. I don't think it will happen, but I will continue to try.

24 mo post op (Jan 18, 2009) - 168 - had hysterectomy and gained from all the fluid due to surgery

25 mo post op (Feb 18) - 168 - not losing, maintaining - joined Weight Watchers to give me some accountability and some structure.

26 mo post op (March 18) - 165 - WW going slow, but finally moving down again

27 mo post op (April 18) - 165 - grrrr -

28 mo post op (May 18) - 160 - FINALLY, almost out of the 160's. The lowest I have been in YEARS! 5 lbs away from being at a healthy weight, and 15 lbs away from my ultimate goal of 145!!!

Had my Weight Watchers meeting last night, I hit my 5% goal of weight loss, so I was excited. I'm half way to my goal of 10% - which would put me to 17 lbs and at a healthy weight (with clothes on).

WW scales last night read 163.2 - fully clothed, my scales read 160 - first thing in the am in my bday suit. I go by my scales since that is the way I've weighed all along.

It feels so good to be so close to being HEALTHY. My BMI was at 25.89. I want to get it to around 23. Something below 25. I love my band, but its a tool that I have to work with, not let it do all the work.

Today's menu

Bfast -

Iced Mocha - non fat milk

Lunch

grilled chicken

tossed salad

Snack

Apple - peanut butter (1 TBS)

Dinner

soup

I love when you post your weight loss and what was going on at the time...it's helpful to see that it's just a tool and life and other things can effect your weight just like usual. You're doing great! It must feel WONDERFUL! Congrats! -BG

BG - thanks! You know - even though life threw me some curve balls in 2008 (had knee surgery, Gma died, house flouded, etc), I gained some weight, but pre-band, when life threw me some curve balls, I would gain at least 30 lbs, sometimes even 50. So, I'm grateful for the band. I know that I will never weigh 200 lbs again!

Exactly...those are all the excuses I would have had to gain back the 50 or so pounds I had just lost on some diet (professional yo-yoer here)...that's why it's inspiring to see you still plugging along through all that 'life' stuff on your journey down. It's something I've never been able to do...keep it up! -BG

This is very inspiring to see that even though the band is in place you still have to work to be healthy it doesnt just fall off. I think this a realistic view of how you can use your band or not. If you want the results your going to have to go get them. Thanks and I'm sure there are other who will appreciate it as well.