4 Years Banded Today

[Cocoabean 430]

So, today is my 4th Bandiversary. I cannot believe four years have gone by so quickly. I've had no complications. I keep up with my Vitamins. I see my surgeon about once a year to check on everything. My blood pressure is normal, my cholesterol is normal, my blood sugar is normal, my BMI is normal, yay!!!

I have to say this has been the easiest weight loss/maintenance plan I've ever been on. Even with the stuck episodes. You need to keep a sense of humor with you for times of stuckage.

I lost 70 lbs in the first two years and I've kept it off for two years with hardly any work.

I love my band. I am concerned about keeping it with me for the rest of my life. It IS an implanted device after-all. So, that's why I see my surgeon annually. My primary care doc checks my Vitamin levels.

Life is pretty darned good. My DH got me flowers today to Celebrate, what a sweetie.

[Holly Dolly 575]

Congrats on your 4th bandiversary!

[nicksmommy 139]

Congratulations Denise!!! That is fantastic!

[morelgirl 177]

Congratulations! I hope to have a similar story to tell one of these days.

[JennK2008 12]

Congrats on your 4 year bandiversary!!!! That's awesome, I'm so happy for you!!!

[kll724 3,055]

Wow! My heroine! I want to be as successful as you. I am 2 1/2 years in, and yoyoing with 10 lbs. I have met goal but staying in maintenace is tough. I am proud of the fact that you did and are! Karen

[Cazzy 725]

gratz on the 4 yrs

[LapNYC 3]

Congratulations! I fluctuate a little more than you describe and exercise like a maniac to maintain. Your regimen sounds a little more reaosnable! Out of curiousity, how tight do you keep your band? What has your fill story been for the past couple years? Regardless, it's a major accomplishment. The flowers were much deserved!

[elcee 3,341]

Congrats Denise.I love hearing from people that have been successful and are happy with their bands.

[GLove 44]

Congratulations Denise! It is nice to hear success stories like yours. You look awesome! love the before and after pix on your profile.

[u4leigh 7]

Way to go! I never thought being so "normal" would sound so appealing!

[Allison0927 329]

FANTASTIC!!! very good to hear stories of people banded 2+ years (rare on this site). Long term information is badly needed. You should be very proud of your accomplishments and I wish you continued success on your journey!!!!!

[Vanilla sky 28]

Way to go congratulations!

[Cocoabean 430]

Congratulations! I fluctuate a little more than you describe and exercise like a maniac to maintain. Your regimen sounds a little more reaosnable! Out of curiousity, how tight do you keep your band? What has your fill story been for the past couple years? Regardless, it's a major accomplishment. The flowers were much deserved!

Hi There!

I think I have about 6.75cc in my band which is an AP Standard 10cc. Of course, the cc level doesn't mean a whole lot, it depends on our anatomy.

I eat about 1500-1700 calories a day. That keeps me at my current weight quite easily. If I gain a bit, I cut down.

Over the last two years I've had two fills, each was 1/4 cc. Just tiny to top-off. My surgeon says that somehow or other a teensy bit of Fluid can leave the band..he has a term for it, but my memory escapes me now. The last 1/4 cc made a HUGE difference.

My banded philosphy was simple, and YMMV. I eat to my appetite. When I reach satiety (NOT FULL) I am done. If I feel hungry between meals, I examine if it is true hunger. My test is: Would I eat green Beans right now? If the answer is yes, then I am hungry. I'll eat. If no I want chips or chocolate, it isn't real hunger, I'll wait. A typical meal would be 2-3 oz of meat, a veggie side dish and some sort of starch in a small amount. Or a half sandwich that might be deconstructed from the bread to eat the filling and a few bites of bread.

If I actually exercised with regularity, I could lose more. But I know myself, and I wanted my banded life to be as normal as I could make it, and be something I can live with forever. I am not a gym rat. I am more active than I used to be. I have arthritis in one knee and both hips. The damage is done, but movement hurts less than it used to.

Each year we go camping near a town in the Central California Coast. It's about a half-mile walk into town. In the old days, I'd drive in. Now, I don't even think about it, I walk in every day we are there.

I am thankful for small changes like that.

[Sooverit! 1]

Coco what a lovely husband! I too am almost 4 years...my DH is very proud of me too and likes having a "sexy" wife at 52 yrs old. I'm far from sexy but I'm a good weight for me. I lost 50 lbs and fit into size 12/14 skinny jeans and practice yoga 3x a week and try to get walking the dog. At this age being 200 lbs at age 52 isn't a bad thing infact weight is no longer an obsession that is the real miracle.