One year ago today...

[puddin 7]

One year ago today I made the second-best decision of my entire life! I was banded and branded. One year ago I couldn't fit in airline seats without an extender belt (and even then it was tight), I couldn't ride a bike, I couldn't hike more than half a mile, I'd go on cruises with my pretty friends and never get hit on, I wore an ugly skirted swimsuit, I couldn't exercise more than 20 minutes - forget about jogging, I was running out of clothing options even at the plus-sized stores. I was getting fatter and fatter each day and losing hope for ever getting married and having a family and really ever being successful in life because of my weight. I was a holding tank for hopeless negativism.

Today I biked 8 hill-filled miles to work and have to bike 8 miles back, and do this daily (I'm biking 100 miles in yellowstone this weekend), I can fly and have to tighten the seatbelt with 1/2 foot to spare, I exercise an hour each day (I jog for 20 minutes of that), I bought a freakin' cute swimsuit yesterday (with NO skirt) to go on my adventure/athletic trip to Guatamala in October where I'm hiking up a 14,000-foot volcano, kayaking all day to a private beach house, and doing a century bike ride, I shop in the skinny girl section, and I'm down 100 pounds! Life is looking more and more promising by the day. I've reinvented myself and I'm LIVING!

I wanted to share this because I read so many posts that list complications and frustrations, and that's what this forum is for, but sometimes it's nice to share the joys of having a band. Thanks for being there for me this past year, everyone!

[leatha_g 4]

:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: Awesome job!!! This is exactly what it's all about! You go girl!!!

[doinit4me 0]

What a breath of fresh air you are. Congrats on all of your achievements. I wish I had your guts, maybe I will get there someday. Im happy for you though, and it's nice to hear good things about the band.

[La_madam 20]

What an inspiring post! Congratulations to you...Iam very happy for you..be proud You are an inspiration !!!

[kim2bhealthy 3]

GOOOOOO Puddinpie! Congrats! Awesome job!

[Mrs Husker 3]

Just what I needed to "hear" today. What an inspiration. Thank you so very much.

[MarcyD 0]

I love it!!! You really are an inspiration! Thanks for sharing such an upbeat thread.:clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

[faybie 0]

Wow you have so many interesting things ahead of you in the near future!

Congratulations on your bandiversary!!

P.S. I turned icons off so everytime I posted I didn't have this big square of smileys, which was a dead ringer that I was surfing the web. LOL. [lets pretend I put some cool congratulation banana here]

O I got it!

~~~~~,~~'~~@

Flower for your bandiversary. he he.

[liberty2003 0]

:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: Thats Fantasic..Wish i could bike 8 miles LOL..Keep up the great work..Your an inspiration!!!!!!!

[want2lose 1]

Thanks for your great inspiration! We share our banding date, just one year apart. I was banded today at Fair Oaks hospital, and just got home. I hope my next year will be as successful as yours has been.

Way to go :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

[Wheezy 0]

Puddingpie, this is wonderful to hear. I am 4 weeks post op and it really helps to hear this type of story. You will be my inspiration. I was always active even at 250 lbs, but the last few years, I have developed severe asthma and bursitis in my hips. All of a result of carrying too much weight. I love the fact that you are so active. This is my dream, to lose the weight and go hiking, biking and whatever else comes my way

[shell04937 0]

This is just what I needed to read. I am being banding on Sept 22, 2006 and just found that out today. I have been wanting this for soooooo long but after reading all the negative stuff on the complication section, I was starting to feel sceared and doute myself.

I have diabetes and asthma, I am in constant pain from head to toe. I am 5" 7 1/2' tall and weight 267 rigth now. I need this surgery.

We went to 6 flags ammusement part this summer with my girls and I wore and OK swim sute with a sporty looking skirt. I didn't think what I looked like because I know I would never see those people again. But when we went on one Water ride that required seat belts I almost didn't fit. I had to suck my stomach in and required help to get it buckled. I was mortified. I told my family I would not go on another ride like that until I lost weight. My girls 9 and 5yrs old deserve a mom that can do all the rides. This has to work for me.

After reading your post it gave me a renewed excitment and hope that 1 yr from now I can be riding bikes with my girls, going to public pools locally and going on rides without fearing the belt wont fit me.

Thank you so much and happy anniversary...

[mousecrazy 2]

Way To Go!

[mousecrazy 2]

Way To Go! You look fantastic, and I know you feel fantastic!

It's so amazing, isn't it? I relate to just about everything you've said, except I am in totally in awe of all the exercise and biking and hiking! I'm just proud to be able to walk the malls without pain!

Congratulations! You've had a great year, and more to come, I am sure!

[MelodyJ 0]

Oh THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!I am smiling and feeling a bit tear-y!!!!! I am SO IMPRESSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You give me hope woman!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Keep up the GREAT WORK!!!!!

God Bless,

Melody

Banded 3/20/06 -85lbs