JulsJourney

I saw this post and I just had to reply because I hit my goal and I am living my bucket list! 1. Fly in an airplane in comfort...done! 2. Fly in a small plane where they need to know your weight before take off (and I told the truth!)...done! 3. Walk through town eating a ice cream cone (a small one) and not feel like people are staring at the fat lady...done! 4. Buy a single digit item of clothing...done!!!!!!!! 5. Buy boots in a department store...done!!! I started at 244 and I am now fluctuating between 129 and 131...I had a life long problem with obesity, and this is my first time living as a thinner person...I am on a drug known for weight gain, so I am watching daily...I am determined to never weigh over 135 again!!!

My two year anniversary is next week, and I am ten pounds below my goal. I started out at 244, and a size 20. I am now 131 and a size 4! I hit my actual goal of 100 pounds 18 months post surgery. Since then, with exercise, I have tightened from a size 8 to a 4, and lost another 10 pounds. I think I would like to stay at this size and weight forever. My best advice to those struggling is do not forget to get the help of your doctor. I have had my bank tightened an loosened a few times after the initial few fills. I also believe that it was only through exercise that I avoided the dreaded hanging skin. I am 51, so that was a big consideration. Skin is no longer quite as elastic, and working on tightening muscles, I believe helps skin tighten also. I started working with a trainer once a week about a year into the process. I no longer use a trainer, but I go to the gym three times a week, pretty regularly. One of the best moments occurred a month ago...I was taking a small plane with some friends to a tropical island. The plane was small enough that everyone had to give their weight. Some of the other women were whispering to the agent at the counter...I just yelled over to my husband...put me down for 131...the first time in my entire life I yelled out my weight. I felt the weight of the world off my shoulders!

Good luck to all of you for February 2011!. I had my surgery on February 24th, 2009!!!! Two year anniversary and I cannot be happier! I started out at 244, size 20. I am now 131 and a size 4! No way!!!!!!!!!!! I still can't believe I am writing this. Do not get me wrong, it is still a hard journey, but one well worth taking the first step! I think the hardest part was staying on track, admitting my own weaknesses, and getting on with life. For example, I just thought that I had a slow metabolism, and that I ate portions too large for what I could process. I now admit openly that I have a compulsion to eat, and I am still working on myself . My band helps me set limits, reminds me that I am falling off the wagon, and puts me right back on track. After a lifetime of diet success, and then failure, I finally fell like me! I wish you all the best of luck, and the most determined of minds!

Good luck to all of you for February 2011!. I had my surgery on February 24th, 2009!!!! Two year anniversary and I cannot be happier! I started out at 244, size 20. I am now 131 and a size 4! No way!!!!!!!!!!! I still can't believe I am writing this. Do not get me wrong, it is still a hard journey, but one well worth taking the first step! I think the hardest part was staying on track, admitting my own weaknesses, and getting on with life. For example, I just thought that I had a slow metabolism, and that I ate portions too large for what I could process. I now admit openly that I have a compulsion to eat, and I am still working on myself . My band helps me set limits, reminds me that I am falling off the wagon, and puts me right back on track. After a lifetime of diet success, and then failure, I finally fell like me! I wish you all the best of luck, and the most determined of minds!

This exact thing just happened to me. I had no problem for a year and suddenly my band was too tight and I thought I had a slip. Doctor took out .4cc yesterday and I feel fine. He wants me to wait a month for a fill to make sure the inflammation is gone... I don't like being this loose. I have lost 93 pounds and only have 7 to go...hopefully this does not stall my progress!

So funny that I read this from you. I have lost 93 pounds and I am now 150. I asked my husband the other day if you are supposed to feel butt bones when you sit....he thought I was joking...I wasn't! I have been well padded in that area since I was a child. Now , for the first time, I can feel the bones!!!!!! :biggrin:

I thought I'd respond because I am a Feb09 bandster! Yes, I am hitting my anniversary and just thought I'd give some of my (hopefully) sage advice. First, this is not magic. I know your doctor told you that, but it is true. On the other hand, it is the best choice I ever made. I can only say it is though I was injected with self control! Some things are different, as there are foods I just can't eat (pizza, most meat, bananas), on the other hand, who cares about meat when I can now go buy a size 10 pair of jeans!!! ( I thought they were mis-sized, but I have two pairs from different designers, so it must be true!)I never thought I could go out to dinner and leave over two thirds of a meal. So now that I can, I feel like I am free to eat without any guilt. I can't eat much, but I thoroughly enjoy whatever I have. I have lost 70 pounds and now weigh the least amount of my entire adult life. My ultimate goal is a size 6 (I started at size 20), or 30 more pounds, whichever is first! I feel awesome, and think this was the best choice I could have made for my mental and physical health. Good luck to all of you!

I will hit a year on Feb 24th! I wish more people would post so we can all compare results! I have lost exactly 70 pounds, and 30 to go. Wow...Never in my life have I had only 30 pounds to lose! Never! I am lucky as I started a new job not long ago, so they all know me at my new weight, and it is interesting to see how people react to a (nearly) thin person differently than an obese one. I checked the BMI chart, and though I started out as morbidly obese, I have two pounds to only be overweight!!! My defining moment of deciding on this road to lapband world was talking to my doctor about a specific problem and watching him listening, but writing MORBIDLY OBESE on my chart. I guess leaving that diagnosis of his (as well as finding a more sympathetic doctor) has been my goal. Let me know how everyone else is doing...and how much fun it is to buy new clothes!

I could eat anything after my surgery in February. Now, after three fills, I have significant restriction. There are lots of things I just can't eat anymore, and, frankly, it is great. French fries give me acid, bread gets stuck, cake makes me gag...Okay, guess I'll eat lots of fish and veggies to feel full...woo hoo...40 pounds down!

I have six pounds to go and I will be right there with ya sister! Forty pounds down in five months...maybe not the fastest, but I am getting there...Good for us!

I have had my band for five months now. I am 40 pounds down, with about 60 to go. I went to my doctor's support group meeting right after surgery, and met a woman who had her band put in the same day as me. We started talking and it now has expanded to a four bander group. We met last night over a nice dinner, and shared triumphs, tragedies and food tips. I cannot recommend this enough to any of you starting out! It is a great way to stay focused, and to ask some silly questions that you might not want to bring up to your doctor!

Good Thread. I am 4 1/2 months post surgery and down 38 pounds. To some that may seem like a lot, and to some, a little. I have noticed that my clothes are all too big, and much more importantly, that I have much more energy. ONEDERLAND is only 6 pounds away! I feel like I lost much more than 38 because I am fully aware that I would be up a few pounds if I had not done this. I am still working on getting my mind to give up the appetite since my stomach can't...stomach it...anymore...

I was banded this past February and I go for my third fill Thursday. I have lost 34 pounds. I have had some restriction, but weight loss is less than 2 pounds a week on average. I am hoping that this next fill is it for me...I am thinking it may be the sweet spot. If I can maintain a 2 pound weekly loss, I'll be thrilled.

Hi everyone. I was banded on 2/24/08. I had no restriction until I had a fill. I have now had two fills, and I have lost 34 pounds since being banded. Is it going fast? No. Do I lose every week? No Am I thrilled to have 34 pounds off my body? Absolutely! My knees feel great. I am back out of the larger size stores..right now a 16, but heading in the right direction!!! I get my third fill on Thursday and I am hoping that will be it for a few months. I hope I don't sound too much like a cheerleader, but this band will work for you if you give it a chance. If your experience is anything like mine, you will agree it was one of the best decisions you ever made...Do not get discouraged!! The first month or two is the hardest!