Mary Kate Jones

I had lapband surgery in 2001. Yep, 2001. I lost 60 pounds in the first 18 months and then went into hibernation... raising the family, living life etc. I had taken enough off to live comfortably and not feel so awful (I started at 263 pounds). Fast forward to two years ago, my husband had gastric bypass and both kids were now out of the house. I renewed my efforts alongside my husband, and lost the last 40 pounds to get to my century mark. (although my BMI still reports me as 'overweight.') yippee for me! Now that I'm down 100 pounds (and my husband's down 200 pounds) we're much more active than even before and eating a healthy diet/lifestyle. To me, this has been the perfect tool... it's there to assist in my efforts to be healthy.. but by itself, or me by myself, can't be effective unless combined with the other component. I have had no complications- have been living off the same fill for seven years (four in totality). I have not been the most compliant patient (unlike my husband.. he's textbook perfect patient) but I have done this as a piece of my life... not my entire life. I have learned to be forgiving and go with the ebbs and flow of challenges and my life. I go to the gym when I can and don't beat myself up when I can't. There are weeks that I don't weigh myself.. and there are weeks that I gain a wee bit of weight. I take the weeks that I am the same as victories and those weeks that I reduce by a little as celebrations. I try to remember that I didn't become this way (heavier or thinner) overnight and I'm not going to return that way overnight either. I have only had one hiccup on my path.. about three years ago I was violently ill.. throwing up. I felt a slight pop and was concerned my band had been damaged. I went to my new doctor (since WLS was more prevelant, I didn't have to drive to LA to get services any longer, I just had to go down the road to a nearby doctor, conincientally, my husbands surgeon) and he said things were fine... the band is a part of me and will continue to be as long as it will have me. If the time comes that I need to get it removed I will actively seek a new one. I can't imagine my life without this companion. Color me 100% happy.