300 pounds later....am I living a dream or is this in fact reality?

[jackie_2 4]

I had often told myself during my journey that even if I were to ever possibly hit goal I would never post a success story. Maybe I was being modest or perhaps just really hard on myself or…just not able to forgive myself for ever letting my weight get out of control as it had. I guess a lot of it no matter how you sum it up is really just embarrassment. Well I had a change of heart. That change of heart came because I can remember so vividly the feeling of the hopelessness and despair. At times I felt I was knocking on deaths door and that there was nothing I could do about it. So I am writing this tonight in hopes that if I can help just one person even if only one tiny bit then it is my responsibility to do so. I believe in paying it forward and giving back. If it wasn’t for the people before me that helped me then where would I be? It would be irresponsible for me not to do the same. You are not alone and there are people out there, really good decent people who can help you but YOU have to want it and at some point you need to swallow your pride and ask for the help. Help will not come to you. YOU have to seek it out. I have told my story several times and you can read it on my profile. I lost 170lbs doing Atkins between 2003 and 2004. I went from 393 to 220 and felt great…and then I got sloppy and let my guard down and weight started packing on. I went from 220 to 488 in 8 years’ time. At 488lbs doing day to day activities was quite a chore. My knees were taking a beating carrying so much weight on a 5’6 inch frame. I developed arthritis and serious sleep apnea. Walking from the parking lot to my office was a real task and that was even with the use of an elevator. I had to sit out in the car and have my Wife do the grocery shopping because I couldn’t last more than 10 minutes on my feet. I had to sit and fold laundry sitting in a chair. This list could go on and on about the limited mobility. My amazing Wife stood by me and encouraged me to make a change but we both knew until I was ready to commit to change it would not happen. I am not sure how many other women out there would have put up with what she did. My weight affected us both physically and mentally. I did not feel like much of husband at times and I am sure there were plenty of times she felt more like a caregiver than a wife at times although she never said so or complained. Something had to give and it finally did and in September 2011 with my wife at my side I attended a local seminar for WLS. We listened to the Doctor discuss all the surgical options available at the time and being new and somewhat naïve we decided Lapband was the way to go. It was reversible and probably the least invasive of all procedures. I signed up for a one on one consult with the Surgeon that night. October 2011 I met with the Doctor and told him I ready to make a life change. He told me he wanted to see me lose 24lbs and work on shrinking the liver. Insurance required me to do a 6 month monitored diet so instead of losing 24lbs preop I lost 38lbs. My Surgeon was impressed and after completing all the preop requirements I finally got a surgery date of April 16, 2012. I weighed in on surgery morning at 450lbs on the button. So there I was April 17th and getting discharged from the hospital and all that went through my mind is why the hell did I do this? There was no way it would work and I will be known as the fat guy who couldn’t lose weight with WLS. As much as you research and prepare for this new life it seems at some point you say OK well I had the surgery why is the weight not coming off?? This is so frustrating!!! Well apparently I had never heard of bandster hell. Bandster hell is that time from when you have the surgery to the time you actually get the necessary fills to get the need restriction to control your portions. Some very few people are lucky they have the surgery and automatically get that restriction. Not me, it took me 6 months. 6 months of frustration. Probably one of the most difficult pieces for me to learn was patience. Lack of patience made this road even longer. I stepped on the scale almost daily these last 2.5 years waiting on a large drop in numbers that never happened. How on earth could you possibly see a large drop if you’re stepping on the scale daily? Do yourself a favor and don’t do it. To this day I still step on it daily but now it is about accountability not so much weight loss. Always look for other measures to success. We call them Non Scale Victories or NSV’s. Losing weight is not just about numbers. For a while I was buying new clothes every other month because I was shrinking so fast. I went from a size 62 waist to a 34. I went from squeezing into theater seats to have padded space on each side. I could go on and on here rambling about all sorts of stuff weight and band related. If you’ve read this far then thank you and thank you to those who helped me get here. I would like to especially thanks @@Alex Brecher without him I wouldn’t have a home here and I perhaps would’ve remained lost. If anyone has any questions or comments or just need someone to talk to don't hesitate to message me regardless how personal you think your question may be. My name is Jim and I am junk food addict. I have lost 300lbs and the lapband saved my life. 2yrs and 8 months 488 to 188. Peace!!

Tears reading this!!! Wow!!!! You look fantastic. What an inspiration. Thanks so much for sharing. You give me hope. I had gastric sleeve surgery and have been on liquids for a week, got on my scale this morning and gained 5 pounds!! I was told that happens from others on this wonderful site. Congrats on getting your life back!!!

[ADDena 1]

Wow!!! Congrats on reaching your goal. You're an inspiration. I like reading stories from ones who have reached their goal banded or sleeved. There's a lot of goal reaches with RNY but I like hearing from others too. I was sleeved on 5/16/14. Almost at my one month mark! 16 lbs down since surgery and 27 total. I'm on my way!

[jmac004 11]

Thanks for sharing your amazing journey with us. You rock!!

[ksc1965 52]

I really appreciate you sharing that. I mean that sincerely. I will remember your story while on my journey.

[booflu 13]

Amazing results!! Thanks so much for paying it forward & encouraging those of us just beginning this journey. I'm 8 weeks post op & am in bandster hell. I'm battling hunger & Portion Control. I've lost 24 lbs but it's been my willpower alone. Can't wait for some help from this band. I wish for you a long & happy life!!

[Debbie3sons 1,936]

Love the pics and everybody can see the transformation , they need to put these pics of you at your surgeons office so that if anyone is thinking about having wls they can meet or ask you questions , you have came a long way and by reading the comments it looks like you are paying it forward for others already and have done so in the past and it gives me hope from a lot of you people , I for one especially love where it says 2.5 years , as you know I am also 2012 bandster and I was hoping to be at goal in my first yr, now I am just hoping to be at goal by my 2nd yr if not , well I will still get there, and what we couldn't do before and what we can do now even the little things that we can do now is what makes us happy and being healthy is one of the many things , Thank You for telling your story , so us and others can see it does work if you work with it. :)

[dawalsh 919]

What an inspiration. You give me hope that I may reach my goal!

[james1112 14]

Thanks brother for sharing. ... I myself weigh around 550lbs and know all about sitting on the sidelines watching life pass me by... you're an inspiration.... Thank You Sir

[dylanmiles23 2,198]

Thanks brother for sharing. ... I myself weigh around 550lbs and know all about sitting on the sidelines watching life pass me by... you're an inspiration.... Thank You Sir

welcome. Happy to see you have started a wonderful journey. We all started somewhere.

Arlene

[Jim1967 3,569]

Thanks brother for sharing. ... I myself weigh around 550lbs and know all about sitting on the sidelines watching life pass me by... you're an inspiration.... Thank You Sir

Hi James and welcome to Bariatric Pal. Thank you and I wish you well with your journey.

[jjinWA 511]

This made me cry. Really! I am so happy for you and I know everyone around you is proud of you! What a great accomplishment. It is often times hard to even think that I might reach my goal weight, but with success stories like yours I know I can get there too!

[Jim1967 3,569]

Thank you. Some days it still doesn't feel real and I also have days where I look in the mirror and it doesn't look real to me either. I guess there are worse problems I could have.

[Corridor72 518]

Wow! Just wow! Thanks for sharing your story! I'm sure it will inspire many people!

[james1112 14]

Thanks

[Sharpie 3,306]

that is a awesome story. I have followed you , CG an TMF, and Catfish for some time.. I take inspiration from all. I did not have as much to lose as you guys but even so, I had to work at every lb lost. Kudo's to you Jim for a very successful job. I wish you continued success in every aspect of your life...