Sharpie

Yes I am overweight not obese anymore... looking forward to being normal this year...Good feeling to be just "fat" and not obese..

Seeing my son in law for the first time in a year... He was onboard Ship for this past year in the Persian Gulf or somewhere over there... He was so surprised and told me several times how great I looked.. He is a triathlete, he runs all the time and for a 45 year old guy he's in great shape... He is also a Command Master Chief in the Navy.. We are very proud of him and him feeling proud of me is a big NSV.. He never said anything about my weight before but said he was worried about my health... Hope everyone has a great New Year and I am looking forward to a year of health and happiness..

yes I'm afraid we are being duped here.. nobody with an ounce of sense would think eating pizza and chocolate are part of the banded life... this is a waste of time...

I would trust Jean McMillan's opinions any day of the week... she has been there and done that.. There are many long term banders on here and some with complications.. I do not want anyone to be rude and negative about the band ... If you like the sleeve that is fine, but don't degrade and be negative to anyone who wishes to have lapband.. That is the very reason I almost left this site because too many sleeve patients were bashing the banders.. We all have our own issues and demons otherwise we wouldn't have had to go to drastic measures such as surgery to lose weight so as TMF says get off your high horse and trot on back to the sleeve forum...Thanks

Hey everyone.. I was banded Jan 15, 2013.. I have lost 55 lbs so far.. I have been stalled the past month.. but I am going to do the liver shrinking diet I did before surgery.. I lost 10 lbs in 2 weeks .. christmas cookies and candy have been kicking my butt .. I got up this morning with the resolve to get back to business.. I have been happy with my progress so far and don't want to get back into bad habits... Happy New Year to everyone...

Shelly like so many others have said, it was a decision I made to get healthier.. I did not want the dumping syndrome and malnutrition issues associated with the bypass or sleeve... The band was a easier surgery, in and out.. I had very little recuperation time.. it's not permenant so if something happens I can get it removed or replaced.. once your stomach is gone it's gone... I don't find the fills that big of a deal.. I enjoy seeing my surgeon and it keeps me motivated to check in with him .. I did have to realize that I would eat differently and have a slower loss but I have not regretted my decision at all... I hope you will do what is best for you and will be totally successful...

Very Nice... Keep up the good work...

Good Job.. Keep up the good work...

2013 was the year that I changed my life.... I was overweight, unhealthy and unhappy... I was slowly eating myself to death.. I made the decision to get the lapband and had my surgery last January... This year has been one of the best I've had in a long time.. My diabetes is under control.. no medication.no high cholesterol or high blood pressure.. arthritis in my knees is so much better.. I can walk easily through stores and parking lots... I am thankful for my Surgeon and his team who have helped me along the way.. I have another 15 lbs or so to lose to reach my goal and I am confident I will do it soon.. I am not miserable thinking about how much weight I will gain through the Holidays.. I am more active with my grandkids and that is priceless.. I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and a healthier New Year...

I saw this report on yahoo or somewhere the other day but forgot to get the link...It is indeed good news for us .. That is exactly why I chosse the band.. less complications, long term good health.. I no longer have diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol.. Thanks to my band... Merriest of Christmas to all of my band friends.

You got this girl.. Have a wonderful Christmas and start the New Year with new resolve... You will be successful I am sure.

I love being able to shop til I drop.. buying regular size clothes,, actually petite sizes love keeping up with my grandkids crossing my legs shaving my legs easily wearing skinny jeans riding my horse no more diabetes no more high blood pressure no more high cholesterol

sharpie, nice pictures, congrats and Merry Christmas! Thanks Hope you have a wonderful Christmas..Had to go to 3 places to print photo's.. finally went to walmart and got them done.. they are framed and wrapped.. those kids should be happy...lol

My kids wanted pictures of us this Christmas.. probably been at least 25 years since I had any pictures done of me.. but we did it and I am so pleased that I look "normal"... gotta go today and get frames for them... Another NSV cause without my band I would not have had pictures taken...

Banded last January.. 55 lbs lost.. absolutely the best decision of my life... no issues whatsoever.. It works if you work with it.. love feeling good again and shopping for new clothes is a plus..

okay this sounds crazy but I was wrapping presents today.. I use my dining room table so it's wide.. last year I had to sit down to wrap them and just move the chair around.. holy cow I was wrapping standing up and could actually lean across the table to cut the paper without my belly in the way ....I actually leaned all the way over the table and cut the paper evenly...I have not sat down once... This year will be totally different from the years before.. I used to be so tired from shopping and wrapping I could hardly make it through Christmas... I am so looking forward to Christmas this year.. shopping is done.. wrapping is getting done and I am not tired.. yahoo..

I have told my family of course and close friends and anyone else who ask... I am not ashamed of taking control of my health.. I am. not ashamed to utilize weight loss surgery ... I am not ashamed to admit defeat.. when all other programs, pills, gimmicks , etc. failed I researched my options.. I am not ashamed that I now have a "life"... my mobility and health were worth it. I also have discussed the surgery with other obese friends.. They have asked my advice and I am happy if it helps one other person get healthier and live a better life. Anyone who thinks it was the easy way.. should try it.. lol.. as everyone else has said.. weeks of liquids, gas pains and having to go have fills is not the easy way... being aware of what you are eating and how fast and chewing enough and not drinking with meals is part of the deal... but I would do it over again to get where I am now....

Candace you are awesome... 90 lbs is a whole person ... don't you let anyone tell you they can't tell that is pure BS..My best friend spent the night by my bed when I had surgery and she has been there with me all the way.. We travel together and she is always supporting me.. that is what friendship is .. fair weather friends you don't need.. I can't wait to see how well you will do the next 10 months.. You may have a long way to go but not as far as you had 10 months ago... I know you will do it.. If I can do it anyone can.. After years of dieting, weight watchers, nutrisystem, Jenny Craig , Etc. and failing at all of them I am amazed at how great the band has worked for me... Best Wishes and Health for the New Year...

Not only could I not put my socks on easily.. as B52 says from the side sort of.. but tying my shoes was pretty near impossible.. Today my husband and I had pictures done for our kids Christmas present... first time in years I wanted a camera near me.. I actually put my jeans on without holding onto anything.. just slipped them on.. it's really amazing how weight affects our everyday tasks.. going shopping tomorrow to the Mall.. lots of walking and less eating than last year... Thanks everyone for your words of praise and encouragement.. I feel very blessed to have found banded friends who understand..

yes I am happy and my granddaughters keep telling me how proud they are of me.. that is worth it all... Priceless as the commercial says...

Real or Screen Name: Sharpie AkA Mary Lou Sharp Weight on Dec. 1st- 144 lbs Weight Goal for Dec 31st- 140 lbs Age: 67 City/State- McAlpin, Florida Dietary Goal: Drink More Water, Eat leaner Protein Exercise Goal: Walk with my hand weights Personal Goal for December- Stay away from Sugar---- Date Banded: January 15, 2013 Total Weight Loss- 55 lbs Favorite Christmas Activity- Watching Grandkids open presents and cooking dinner for my family...

Thanks B, Patience is a virtue as my Mom used to say.. I had to learn to be patient..I wanted to get healthy and thin quickly.. but it doesn't work that way.. A new life is what I have and I hope to hang on to it... Thanks for your support...

CG you make my day.. lol... Hey did you notice I am wearing boots.. yes, boots with skinny jeans..omg who would have dreamed that a year ago....

a year ago I was getting prepared for my surgery.. I had 2 weeks of pre-op diet to do.. I started right after Christmas... I was so ready .. My weight was at it's highest ever.. @ 5' 0 " tall I weighed 200 lbs.. I was steadily ruining my health.. My diabetes was out of control, My blood pressure was climbing daily and I could not walk, or do anything physical without pain in my back and knees. I lived in my recliner. Most days I ate myself into oblivion and slept in my chair.. I would walk back to my office (in my home) and do what I had to but that was my only exercise... Today, I have lost almost 60 lbs.. I am so happy about the Holidays this year.. I have shopped in every Mall and walmart in our area.. walking all day with my grandaughters who are 18, 14 and 8... This past week I went to San Antonio with my oldest grandaughter to see her boyfriend graduate from basic training @ Lackland AFB.. it was bitterly cold and we walked everywhere.. I could never have done that a year ago... The band works folks, if you work it... I have some more lbs to lose and I am staying on track but I am truly happy today after many years of being miserable... I wish everyone a very Happy and Healthy Christmas and New Year.. My New Year's resolution will be to keep doing what I am doing and add some more walking and encourage my family to get healthy....

Sitting on the computer, ordering Christmas gifts for Grandkids... should finish my shopping Sat. just got back from San Antonio with my oldest Grandaughter... it was brutally cold and nasty .. but we walked and walked around the Lackland AFB where he graduated from basic.. 60 lbs ago I would have been dead.. thanks to my band I was able to keep up with everyone else.. I only gained a lb. which was great since eating healthy was difficult... hope everyone is doing well.. haven;'t been posting much lately.. but I am doing good..