In one year I....

[tapshoes 2]

Have become a different person - inside and out! I have gained (yes, gained) so many things:

Closet space. A suit in a larger size takes up more room!

Gained fashion sense - no longer "Omar the tent-maker" specials in old-lady prints or black.

Gained room on chairs - yes indeed, there is a seat around my butt rather than an overhanging rear covering the seat (and then some).

Gained a better appreciation of my behavior and particular food addictions. Recognizing the trigger is an important step in beating it..but I know it will always be a battle.

Gained collar bones, leg muscles, a waist, and facial features - no more Pillsbury doughboy comparisons!

I have gained better relationships with people - not because they treat me any differently, but because I treat me differently. I may never be the 'belle of the ball' but I no longer avoid many social situations, or dip into my vast repetoire of camera avoidance techniques.

I have (re)gained some youthful vitality...I'm game to try anything without worrying about 'fitting in', or slowing someone down, or breaking a ride, or being a fifth wheel - damn it, Im young, vibrant, and rarin' to go!

Gained much more respect for those who work very hard to maintain their health - it isn't easy, it isn't magical, it isn't fun. It is work, and lots of it, but oh so worth it! I may never LIKE to exercise (I absolutely am not one of those people who after 6 week or 6 months of a routine is addicted!), but I will exercise and watch what I eat. I have to. The band is a tool...only a tool.

I have gained the network of all of you - and that support network has been an undeniable, incomparable, unbeatable support network. We may not always agree, we may never meet in person, we may drift off - but for this past year, you have been invaluable to me. May you all have a healthy future and the best of what life offers - whether or not you meet a goal weight or clothing size! We are so much more that that.

Most importantly, I have gained some self respect. Although I still have more to lose (being a slow loser sucks), still have inches to go and probably some plastic surgery is in my future (flabby gut overhang of wrinkly jiggly skin is NOT appealing), my life is good. I am not the person I was - when I was filled with self-loathing, anger, and fat. It is only since losing the weight I realize how I WAS...I just couldn't 'see' it before.

My fellow VV's - I have so much more I could write, but this is just a quick anniversary note - I'm on my holidays but just couldn't let the day pass. And now, back to my shopping for clothes in regular sizes in boutique stores in sunny (and blessedly warm) California. That bright light you may be seeing is the sun reflecting off of my snowy-white skin! I have lots to catch up on...but it will have to wait until early March.....

Your stories have all touched me; I hope you are appreciative of what you have done in the past year, and what lies ahead.

[tapshoes 2]

Have become a different person - inside and out! I have gained (yes, gained) so many things:

Closet space. A suit in a larger size takes up more room!

Gained fashion sense - no longer "Omar the tent-maker" specials in old-lady prints or black.

Gained room on chairs - yes indeed, there is a seat around my butt rather than an overhanging rear covering the seat (and then some).

Gained a better appreciation of my behavior and particular food addictions. Recognizing the trigger is an important step in beating it..but I know it will always be a battle.

Gained collar bones, leg muscles, a waist, and facial features - no more Pillsbury doughboy comparisons!

I have gained better relationships with people - not because they treat me any differently, but because I treat me differently. I may never be the 'belle of the ball' but I no longer avoid many social situations, or dip into my vast repetoire of camera avoidance techniques.

I have (re)gained some youthful vitality...I'm game to try anything without worrying about 'fitting in', or slowing someone down, or breaking a ride, or being a fifth wheel - damn it, Im young, vibrant, and rarin' to go!

Gained much more respect for those who work very hard to maintain their health - it isn't easy, it isn't magical, it isn't fun. It is work, and lots of it, but oh so worth it! I may never LIKE to exercise (I absolutely am not one of those people who after 6 week or 6 months of a routine is addicted!), but I will exercise and watch what I eat. I have to. The band is a tool...only a tool.

I have gained the network of all of you - and that support network has been an undeniable, incomparable, unbeatable support network. We may not always agree, we may never meet in person, we may drift off - but for this past year, you have been invaluable to me. May you all have a healthy future and the best of what life offers - whether or not you meet a goal weight or clothing size! We are so much more that that.

Most importantly, I have gained some self respect. Although I still have more to lose (being a slow loser sucks), still have inches to go and probably some plastic surgery is in my future (flabby gut overhang of wrinkly jiggly skin is NOT appealing), my life is good. I am not the person I was - when I was filled with self-loathing, anger, and fat. It is only since losing the weight I realize how I WAS...I just couldn't 'see' it before.

Your stories have all touched me; I hope you are appreciative of what you have done in the past year, and what lies ahead.

My fellow VV's - I have so much more I could write, but this is just a quick anniversary note - I'm on my holidays but just couldn't let the day pass. And now, back to my shopping for clothes in regular sizes in boutique stores in sunny (and blessedly warm) California. That bright light you may be seeing is the sun reflecting off of my snowy-white skin! I have lots to catch up on...but it will have to wait until early March.....

[Shinyhappymommy 2]

Thank you Rhapsody and Tapshoes for sharing those thoughts. I'm glad to know both of you and plan on keeping in touch for a long time to come.

[MONEL 0]

My bandiversary was yesterday. Me and 10 of my girlfriends went to Hot Springs to Celebrate. We had a blast! We went to the horse races, hiked, had a massage, ate at a great restaurant, went back to the beautiful Arlington Hotel and watched people dancing, went to bed about 2:30 this morning, had church in my suite (very cathartic), and shopped. It was an amazing way to celebrate losing 163 lbs in one year! I love my ya-ya sisterhood. I would not have wanted to spend the day any other way. We have decided to make it an annual event, not so much to celebrate my lap BAND but our banding together. Thank you to this forum for the strength and for making me realize how lucky I am to have the support systems I have. Year 2 goals are to lose the other 37 pounds, organize a 5k for the local free christian health clinic, to inspire others to live healthier, and just become stronger and healthier every day. GOOD LUCK to everyone and Congratulations to all the successful banders out there.

[Shinyhappymommy 2]

163 pounds in one year is a huge accomplishment! I would love to hear more about your journey and how this process has been for you. Have you kept a blog at all? Congratulations, that's fabulous.

[MONEL 0]

I do not have a blog but I have one heck of a scrapbook. I have monthly pictures, lots of journaling and lap-band information. Everyone loves reading my book.

[ReadySteadyGo 8]

In one year I

1. Went down a few sizes.

2. Deciding to get um "civil unioned"

3. Stopped to overfill on most seats.

4. Gave up

5. Got started again.

[travel_anna 1]

Ready -

The most important thing in that list is #5...as long as you keep trying, you can be successful. Even if it takes time.

Although, looking at your numbers, you are down nearly 70 pounds from your high weight to your current weight. That is something to be very proud of.

Anna

[lhillenburg 0]

I had to have an emergency 1cc unfill earlier this month, with a subsequent halt in wieght loss with a few pounds gain. I've been pretty down that I haven't reached goal yet. My bandversery was Feburary 15th, but y'alls' posts have cheered me and have given me a good reality check.

In the last year I've...

1. Lost 50 lbs.

2. gone down from a size 18 to 12. I'm having so much fun shopping and finding clothes at regular retail stores.

3. I'm eiter wearing or already shrunk out of all my "skiny" clothes, in fact, I bought a pair of size 10 jeans the other day, because I found myself missing not having something to "try on" with every 5lb weight loss.

4. I completed a half-marathon in January and training for the San Diego marathon on Memorial Day.

5. I went on a backpacking trip in September, and my backpack weighed 35lbs(the same amount I had lost by then) and I couldn't believe I used to carry that same amount of extra weight everyday! I'm curious what that backpack will feel like when I go the grand canyon in April?

6. At work, every single day, someone compliments me on how good I look.

7. I'm starting to be able to see myself at goal, and really believe I can get there.

8. My blood pressure and cholesteral are down.

9. I feel taller and walk taller- I feel comfortable in my own body- which is something I've never felt before.

[terilynn112 1]

I'm not a VV, but I am a september Samauri. I just wanted to say WOW! You are all doing great. Personally I was discouraged, but after reading your one year bandiversary, I'm encouraged again. Thank you!

teri

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,282]

Have become a different person - inside and out! I have gained (yes, gained) so many things:

Closet space. A suit in a larger size takes up more room!

Gained fashion sense - no longer "Omar the tent-maker" specials in old-lady prints or black.

Gained room on chairs - yes indeed, there is a seat around my butt rather than an overhanging rear covering the seat (and then some).

Gained a better appreciation of my behavior and particular food addictions. Recognizing the trigger is an important step in beating it..but I know it will always be a battle.

Gained collar bones, leg muscles, a waist, and facial features - no more Pillsbury doughboy comparisons!

I have gained better relationships with people - not because they treat me any differently, but because I treat me differently. I may never be the 'belle of the ball' but I no longer avoid many social situations, or dip into my vast repetoire of camera avoidance techniques.

I have (re)gained some youthful vitality...I'm game to try anything without worrying about 'fitting in', or slowing someone down, or breaking a ride, or being a fifth wheel - damn it, Im young, vibrant, and rarin' to go!

Gained much more respect for those who work very hard to maintain their health - it isn't easy, it isn't magical, it isn't fun. It is work, and lots of it, but oh so worth it! I may never LIKE to exercise (I absolutely am not one of those people who after 6 week or 6 months of a routine is addicted!), but I will exercise and watch what I eat. I have to. The band is a tool...only a tool.

I have gained the network of all of you - and that support network has been an undeniable, incomparable, unbeatable support network. We may not always agree, we may never meet in person, we may drift off - but for this past year, you have been invaluable to me. May you all have a healthy future and the best of what life offers - whether or not you meet a goal weight or clothing size! We are so much more that that.

Most importantly, I have gained some self respect. Although I still have more to lose (being a slow loser sucks), still have inches to go and probably some plastic surgery is in my future (flabby gut overhang of wrinkly jiggly skin is NOT appealing), my life is good. I am not the person I was - when I was filled with self-loathing, anger, and fat. It is only since losing the weight I realize how I WAS...I just couldn't 'see' it before.

Your stories have all touched me; I hope you are appreciative of what you have done in the past year, and what lies ahead.

My fellow VV's - I have so much more I could write, but this is just a quick anniversary note - I'm on my holidays but just couldn't let the day pass. And now, back to my shopping for clothes in regular sizes in boutique stores in sunny (and blessedly warm) California. That bright light you may be seeing is the sun reflecting off of my snowy-white skin! I have lots to catch up on...but it will have to wait until early March.....

Great post! I've got most of those things checked!

In one year I

1. Went down a few sizes.

2. Deciding to get um "civil unioned"

3. Stopped to overfill on most seats.

4. Gave up

5. Got started again.

Now this sounds more like me... LOL! Except for 2 option... :thumbup: Congrats to you and SO!!!!!

[tapshoes 2]

So I am back, and catching up on things. I did note that my posting got there twice - how, I don't know; an ether mystery I guess.

Anyway, I was really pleased to read the stories, and yes, sometimes just sitting back and reflecting on what we HAVE done rather than what we thought we would do, is good for us.

RSG - I am so pleased that you have got started again. Really. I am very pleased and proud of you. And, my sincere and heartfelt congratulations to you and Marci.

Congratulations to all of us (even those that didn't post). May 2009/10 see us all healthy and happy!

[valvinnek 0]

Congrats to all of your successes. You are all truly an inspriation to other, especially ones that give up and get the courage to face the music and come back. You truly re-motivate other. THANK YOU!!!

Ok, I missed my bandaniversary, but I have 2. Let me explain. I was banded (with gall bladder removal) the first time February 25, 2008. It was a great experience I was losing weight, following the rules and lost around 30 pound. At about 6-8 weeks out I had some really bad pain and felt like I had a gall bladder attack, but it was removed. I had to go in for an emergency procedure to check my bile ducts. Come to find out there was a stone that was lingering and it had passed. Since that, I never had restriction in my 14 cc. band, and motivation and hope became less and less. Some how, I still loved my band, eventhough it wasn't working. My band was filled as much as it could and nothing, it was like I didn't have surgery at all. I don't know exactly the reason, maybe the band was too big, maybe it moved when I was throwing up, but I ended up having it replaced December 29, 2008. I haven't lost much weight since this last surgery, but I had a fill 2 days ago, and now I know what all of you were talking about. I finally had my first "stuck" moment, I finally have felt full after a short time, I already feel better about myself since this past fill. Now I know. I look back at my first band as a practice band, eventhough I was ready a year ago. Maybe it just wasn't the right time, I can't really describe it but I really don't look at the past year as "wasted time". I don't really see December 29th as my "surgery date" I am a double V, you guys were there at the begining of this journey for me and I look forward to see where this year takes me.

Sorry I've been away for awhile, but now that I can really relate, I 'm sure I'll visit more often.