MamaMaryTheBandIt

I know I've been gone a while. I was banded in October 2008. I have lost over 100 lbs. I may not have hit my goal in fact I have been the same for about 2 years give or take 15 lbs at times. Not unhappy. In fact I ran my first 5K in September. I am ready to get back to running in the next 4 weeks.
 
I just wanted you to know that I am post PS by about 10 days. A few months ago I finally decided that I didn't know what it would take but I would get it done. Sort of the same way I finally moved forward with band surgery. I had a breast lift and Tummy Tuck. I almost cryied today looking in the mirror. I still have 4 drains. One in a breast and 3 in my tummy. I am having to pack my belly button to help it heal but I tried on a few pieces of clothes today. Why am I crying? Because I look normal. I am still a good size. I have a ton of swelling still and I have been about a size 12 but of course with all the extra skin and such I have been wearing undergarments to try and pull in the layers and rolls. I didn't do this to look sexy (not like a model or anything) I did it to feel better about myself, be able to look more professional in my top level meetings, and feel better about myself, but at 10 days post op I am looking in the mirror and all I can say is I look normal. I finally look normal. That sounds so mild but I am jumping up and down inside. (not on the outside I would pull something). Before PS I didn't even want my husband to see me without my clothes on and now I am so happy. I can't wait to get the drains out. I am back to work in a week.
I wanted to share...I LOOK NORMAL with or without clothes on. I feel like I have come full circle. Couldn't be happier.

Today is my 2 week anniversary post op. Since I started my pre-op diet on Thanksgiving day, I have lost 21 lbs! Not too bad for the amount of time. When I break it down, I've lost about 11 lbs since surgery (I think?!).
Ive been doing really well w/the pureed foods---I cheated yesterday & today w/some soft proteins--just some low calorie, yummy lunch meat. It was nice to chew again!
The best thing I've been doing for myself is going daily to the fitness center & walking on the treadmill---I do a little over 2 miles at a nice even pace & get that heart beating--even break a sweat. And then I take the dog on about 2 walks a day. You cant overestimate the importance of exercise---I have a sedentary job & after 26 years of sitting on my increasingly fatter a**, I really need to work on getting my metabolism going again.
Ive never had high blood pressure, but my regular Dr told me today that its at an even better level---Im looking forward to my next cholesterol test too! Get off those expensive pills...sheesh!
 
The band--the experience--its all that I make of it. I refuse to contemplate the idea of going thru all of this and then failing!! Not even an option.
Good Luck to us all!

I just got banded yesterday (12/14/11) Found out I had TWO hernia's. I knew about
one but not the other. I'm so glad they fixed both of them! My doctor (Dr. Watkins) was
wonderful! He is so funny and I heard he sings country music during his surgeries. He told
me that he really loves his job and you can just tell. I'm so happy w/ him and the staff at
West Chesters "University Point hospital" - I'm feeling a lot of pain in my left shoulder and
just a little where the cuts where made. Not sure what my weight is since I don't have a working
scale but when I was weighed in last, I was down another 3 pounds so that from 17 pounds lost
total! God is good!!