ONDERLAND My story

[catfish87 3,471]

Long post….but hell, it’s taken me almost four years!

ONEDERLAND, finally!

Although it seems to have taken me forever, I’ve arrived. I was banded way back in Sept 09. I struggled to find that green zone, that spot where I wasn’t hungry all the time. I stayed on the diet, eating exactly what I was told to, per all the paperwork given to me by my surgical team. (They are awesome, by the way! )

Then after about a year, my determination dwindled, just as it always did in the past. (hey, I did DIET for a year…not bad for me) I wasn’t feeling any help from the band…..and I knew it, but couldn’t/didn’t do a good enough job of convincing my surgeon of this. We/he thought it was just “I was losing faster than they were adjusting”, “may take me more saline than normal”, etc, etc…all those reasons you hear so often on here. That was back when my fills were done blindly. Then along comes FLUOROSCOPY! First time using it, the problem was easily detected and the corrected asap.

For me, and others I hear on here talk about this often… we get discouraged/lose that motivation when it’s not working as fast as we want. Thinking this wasn’t going to work me, I’m a failure, I can’t do this, etc, etc. That was so me! I thought never gonna get to goal…enjoy the 40-50% EWL and move on…I quit going to my doctor for about a year….embarrassed I had actually gained about 20#’s from my lowest. BECAUSE I was eating too much! Not in the green zone….just another diet.

Then I had a friend persuade me to get my butt back to the doctor….she had the band too. And she had already been through where I was at, and had succeeded.

So I did go back, doctor was VERY encouraging, he said we just need to adjust your band. Still skeptical, but I somehow got my mind back into the mode of maybe this thing really will work….maybe. A couple weeks after that fill….I knew exactly what the green zone was/is for me. And its been great ever since.

With my band in a great spot now, I enjoy riding my bike, AKA Stephanie (Steph for short) as my form of “exercise”.

She is always ready and willing. Never complains she doesn’t want to. I’ve ridden in the rain (soaking wet!), cold (even snowing), heat (sweating like crazy), etc. Because I enjoy it! She is always ready for MORE! Addictive I say. Once you find something you like….you’ll know what I’m referring to.

So if you’re struggling, losing that motivation/determination…..I hope this encourages you to know that others have struggled too. But you can do it! Just never, ever give up! I wish you the best….now its off to ride. Life is good GREAT!

[KAATNS 1,473]

So very happy for you my special friend!

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

I am so happy for you!! Thank you so much for sharing!!!

(btw, I love the Steph portion lol)

[ADJL 685]

A willing "woman" (Steph) can make or break ya. ha ha ha

Congratulations on reaching onederland! I'm thrilled for you and can't wait to join you. Thanks for sharing your story!!!

[Cwalband 215]

Adored the story! Thanks for sharing!!! Congrats on all the extemely hard work!

[aufan 69]

Very encouraging to even me as a new Bandster (banded 3/21) who isn't losing much in the first three months. I go for fill #3 next Thursday. I'm not gaining but not losing this month. My WLD doc has done every fill and even my 2 wk post op check with the fluoroscopy so I'm glad to know its necessary!!

Congrats on Onederland and thanks again!!!

Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

[winkie80 147]

Thanky you for sharing your story! I will keep this in mind when I am officially a bandster.

[Julie121212 58]

What a great story! Thank you so much for sharing. Gives me one more day of encouragement and sometimes that's all that's needed! Congrats to you!

[Sharpie 3,306]

Great Job... I know you are so happy to get to under 200.... I like your story...

[catfish87 3,471]

Thanks everyone! Today at Busch Stadium in St. Louis......bikers may notice the wrist tan lines!

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[Creekwood 702]

Thanks everyone! Today at Busch Stadium in St. Louis......

Congrats!! That's awesome!! But, I just ate dinner man, can you get that nasty looking bird off of here

[stept04 465]

Thanks for writing your story I'm new to this, and I'm one of those people that keep saying to myself will this work for me..My Dr. uses fluoroscope so it gives me some hope that it will make a difference in finding my sweet spot. Congratulations to you by the way.

~~~Stephanie

[LEXUS86985 21]

Fluoroscopy makes alllll the difference!!! There was one point where my dr tried to do the adjustment in the office to save us time.... Thank god he couldn't do it. When he watched me drink under fluoroscopy he saw the band was too tight and liquids were backing up causing the pouch to expand!!! So I always get adjusted with fluoroscopy!!! Congrats for sticking with it!! If we don't fight the process it works so much better! :-)

[ADJL 685]

You look fantastic, Catfish!

[Lori123 170]

Congratulations catfish! You look great!