It's Been 4 Years Now...

[joanp 4]

It's hard to believe but I got my band 4 years ago. I am down between 75-80 pounds overall. (Of course I want to lose those extra 10-20-25 lbs, but if I just stay where I am, I am ok too.) I love my band and can't imagaine life without it.

In this time a lot of things have happened, as they always do. First, I had breast cancer, which came with chemo, a mastectomy, radiation, reconstruction etc. But through it all, I happily kept the band. I had only one hurdle with it though... after the mastectomy I had a wicked reaction to the anesthesia so after heaving for hours in the recovery room, the band was dislodged and I had to have a "revision." Unfortunately the next year I had another slip and another revision. I'm really quite careful now and am relieved that I am basically at the year mark and intact. I did have to have it loosened recently, then quickly gained 8 lbs, but am now back on the way down. It is distressing to regain but a relief to know that I can get back on track again, without too much damage done. So you can see life with a band is much like life itself, somewhat unpredictable and not a straight line of perfection. But the band is the tool that I feel has saved my life and self esteem. I am grateful for it every day. It gives me something that other people have, but I either don't have or lost along the way, an internal brake telling me that I'm full. It's that simple.

People who know ask what I miss... not much. Bagels? I had enough for a lifetime, but sometimes I'll pick at the outer crust. Steak? I can live without it. Lobster? Oh well... nothing is really a big deal. I feel I can eat a little of almost anything...

To those who are on the journey, good luck. Questions welcome, of course.

[Cocoabean 430]

Thanks for the post! It is good to hear from longer term bandsters!

[sherrypep 91]

Congrats on your weight loss. Your story is very uplifting and you sound like a very strong person. I feel the same way although I have been banded only about 3 months now. I love it and I can eat a little of almost anything. I don't eat bread and don't drink anything except Water and hot tea, and will never try steak, but I haven't had any problems. I don't know if that will change with fills, I only have 5cc's in now. My life has only gotten better, no more diabetes meds and much more energy, and even though I chose to eat the not best things once in awhile I am constantly thinking about what I am eating and much more aware of just how much everyone around me eats. Thank you so much for sharing your story I will pray for your continued success.

[Tomander 614]

Congratulations on your success!

It's amazing how fast the time goes by. I find maintenance with the band fairly fairly easy. I don't know what I would have done with out my band.

Tom, Toronto

Banded July 6 06

Wt. Loss: 156 lbs