chasingadream

I am one year out and have NOT had a fill yet….everyone is just SO different….best of luck to you!

Awesome! Congrats on the milestone...and the new hair do Both look great on you!

Yippee! So happy for you -- one year out looking and feeling great!

Skinnier and cuter. Can't beat that.

Just celebrated my one year anniversary. Have officially lost 71% of my excess weight! I celebrated by getting a pixie cut I never would have had the guts to attempt before!

I am one year out and have NOT had a fill yet….everyone is just SO different….best of luck to you!

Hello all,
Thanks @@PuraVida37 for tagging and remembering me…what a year it has been!
I just went to the doc today for a visit and had a barium swallow….all is good…just needed to have my "tune-up" and that included looking at things inside (that's the first one since the day after surgery). It gives me peace of mind to know that after one year all looks good in there! Still no fill as of today and I am okay with that!
It's been an amazing year….lost 93 pounds and gained SO much more. I like to clothes shop for my 12/14 pants and 14/16 or large tops. I love shoes now that I don't have to wear my walking sneakers all the time. I updated my look with a new haircut and color and even make time every day to apply make-up. I still get comments that I look like a different person. Now, I smile and say "Thank you--I get that a lot lately". I've learned to take a compliment and not be quite so hard on myself.
My weight has stayed the same the past few months and some say I've plateaued…I say WHATEVER! Im staying the same….eating, living and STAYING THE SAME….that is HUGE in my opinion. In the past that would have been pounds creeping on and on and on until I was back to my beginning weight.
I can fit on rides with my 4 and 8 year old now….and not feel panicked about whether the bar is going to close and will I have to get off and leave or worse, EMBARRASS my kids! I have more energy to do things…i like walking and even purchased a new bike this summer.
I took another step and consulted with a plastic surgeon to remove the extra belly "hang" and to have those stomach muscles put back where they actually belong! LOL….that is something i look forward to in the future. I look in the mirror and am amazed at what I see and who I see looking back at me. I like me, I like to look at me (dressed that is …lol) and I like when others notice me.
I am no longer the quiet wallflower. I speak my opinion more and am so much more sure of myself in so many ways. It has been an amazing year and if I never lose another pound I am happy. I am happy to live my life and maintain my weight. I want to live and eat and enjoy. I never want to lose so much that I need to worry about every morsel of food that enters my mouth. That, to me, is not living. I have been obsessed and pre-occupied with my weight for my WHOLE life. I want that to change now…and I am working on that. Although I would still like to lose a few more pounds I know I will never make it to that ridiculous number I picked out of the air before I even had my surgery (which i just changed from 140 to 165). At 188 people tell me to stop losing that I look like i weigh 160. I don't care what they have to say…I smile, say thanks and move on. The only one I have to answer to is ME…ME….ME….ME.
And I say I did great this year and I am a great person who has great things ahead of me.
So for all those that have followed me, or encouraged me, or have become my friend on this journey, I say THANK YOU….because I know how TRULY BLESSED I AM IN ALL WAYS IN MY LIFE.
Wishing the rest of my september band buddies continued success in whatever way that works for you…for I have learned that everyone's journey is unique and truly their own….own it and make it yours!

I am one year out and have NOT had a fill yet….everyone is just SO different….best of luck to you!

a loss is a loss with or without fills
be a small loss or hum dinger one..be thankful to lose.
i have no fills but i was giving some Fluid at surgery (no idea how much)
and by me exercising, making better food choices and listening to my band
(that means just because i can eat 3 cheeseburgers) doesnt mean i should.
hang in there
you are bound to get many responses to this thread.

Well, I am coming off my summer hiatus and am returning feeling successful after 11months with lap band and plication.
My time away this summer has given me time to reflect and revise my plan as to where I want to finally be as far as my WLS journey goes.
I just returned from a trip to Hershey Park with my 4 & 7 year old and am measuring my success in all new ways now. This is the first real get away vacation since I had my surgery last September. I went on rides and was much less fearful of the ride restraints not fitting….they ALL did! I was happy not to be that "fat mom" that I saw get off the roller coaster before the attendant came over to check that the restraint was locked….she could not get the restraint to lock and left her son to ride alone. I silently cried for that mom because that was me a year ago in Disney….but unlike her I was not brave enough then to even try that for fear of being embarrassed or embarrassing my kids. I am not judging her at all but I am glad that I am no longer in that situation, for myself and my kids.
I often find myself looking at people (especially ladies and moms) and thanking the stars that I am no longer at "that point". I see myself in others now (the old me)…and although I am not judging anyone because I lived as obese for so so so many years but I find myself thinking…that was you….that is what you looked like…that is how you moved…that is how others saw you….it makes me feel sad at times.
But as I look to the successes I've had Im happy to have lost 93 pounds in the past 11months. I look now at reaching that goal number I picked out of the air…off "those" charts that say what i "should" weigh given my age and height and I wonder if 140 is realistic for me. Although I haven't been online on this site I have been lurking around and reading all of these posts about stalls and not reaching your goal and its made me think….I've held the same weight for the past 3 months. I haven't been the poster child for lap band surgery….especially this summer….Im off for the summer and with that comes off schedule. I've enjoyed my summer SO much. I've eaten (sometimes too much and have felt it), good choices (although not always), I've even gained a pound….at first i cried and beat myself up over that pound than I got a grip….in the past…that would have been 10 pounds….i've basically maintained my weight for 3 months while eating and enjoying….what a success that is.
People tell me I've lost enough and I look great. What they don't know is Im still about 190 lbs (almost 50 lbs from THAT goal number) and when I tell them that they all say "WOW--you look more like 160. I even had the plastic surgeon tell me how narrow I was…that was nice to hear. I watch people here torture themselves about getting to THAT number…and then they go below it and that is all and fine…but I realized that I am still successful w/o reaching THAT number. I want to eat like a real person and not worry that every morsel of food is going to put 5 lbs back on me. I want to live with food and enjoy it and not be in a constant state of panic….in my opinion there is WAY MORE to being successful than just reaching that number we assign ourselves.
My successes lie here…..
93 pounds off my 5'4" frame
Biking 12 miles
Walking w/o knee or back pain anymore
Going on amusement rides (even kiddie ones) with my kids and not feeling panic.
Able to walk around museums/zoos etc for 6-7 hours w/o having to sit down every 10 mins.
Looking in the mirror and LIKING who and what I see
Fitting into size 12 pants and size 16 shirts
Feeling ok w/myself to go consult w/ the plastic surgeon to remove the excess belly and skin
Eating….good and bad at times
Normal BP
Not obsessing with the scale everyday
Liking to shop for clothes
Believe me…I could go on and on.
Its been an up and down journey at times. And I don't beat myself up as much over my choices but its all still a learning process for me….and Im guessing it will be for quite some time.
But it was nice to go off and live this summer…just to be me, and appreciate me, and cut me some slack….Im not perfect and I never will be….
BUT I AM A SUCCESS!! And it does not matter that i haven't met that ridiculous number that some chart tells me I SHOULD be.
SUCCESS LIES HERE:
  

Congrats on your success! I love your outlook. It's all about quality of life & yours has sky rocketed. Great job! Thanks for sharing.

Congrats, my friend! We were banded at nearly the same time last year and I've followed you along the way. You are amazing and such an inspiration. I see myself in so many of your posts. My doc and I have both discussed the "ideal" goal weight. He doesn't want me to match the BMI charts. We have settled on a weight range that makes us both happy. But...honestly...in his eyes I am a success already. That number on the scales doesn't matter anymore (so long as it doesn't skyrocket upwards, of course). Carry on...live and love your new life
Diane

Well, I am coming off my summer hiatus and am returning feeling successful after 11months with lap band and plication.
My time away this summer has given me time to reflect and revise my plan as to where I want to finally be as far as my WLS journey goes.
I just returned from a trip to Hershey Park with my 4 & 7 year old and am measuring my success in all new ways now. This is the first real get away vacation since I had my surgery last September. I went on rides and was much less fearful of the ride restraints not fitting….they ALL did! I was happy not to be that "fat mom" that I saw get off the roller coaster before the attendant came over to check that the restraint was locked….she could not get the restraint to lock and left her son to ride alone. I silently cried for that mom because that was me a year ago in Disney….but unlike her I was not brave enough then to even try that for fear of being embarrassed or embarrassing my kids. I am not judging her at all but I am glad that I am no longer in that situation, for myself and my kids.
I often find myself looking at people (especially ladies and moms) and thanking the stars that I am no longer at "that point". I see myself in others now (the old me)…and although I am not judging anyone because I lived as obese for so so so many years but I find myself thinking…that was you….that is what you looked like…that is how you moved…that is how others saw you….it makes me feel sad at times.
But as I look to the successes I've had Im happy to have lost 93 pounds in the past 11months. I look now at reaching that goal number I picked out of the air…off "those" charts that say what i "should" weigh given my age and height and I wonder if 140 is realistic for me. Although I haven't been online on this site I have been lurking around and reading all of these posts about stalls and not reaching your goal and its made me think….I've held the same weight for the past 3 months. I haven't been the poster child for lap band surgery….especially this summer….Im off for the summer and with that comes off schedule. I've enjoyed my summer SO much. I've eaten (sometimes too much and have felt it), good choices (although not always), I've even gained a pound….at first i cried and beat myself up over that pound than I got a grip….in the past…that would have been 10 pounds….i've basically maintained my weight for 3 months while eating and enjoying….what a success that is.
People tell me I've lost enough and I look great. What they don't know is Im still about 190 lbs (almost 50 lbs from THAT goal number) and when I tell them that they all say "WOW--you look more like 160. I even had the plastic surgeon tell me how narrow I was…that was nice to hear. I watch people here torture themselves about getting to THAT number…and then they go below it and that is all and fine…but I realized that I am still successful w/o reaching THAT number. I want to eat like a real person and not worry that every morsel of food is going to put 5 lbs back on me. I want to live with food and enjoy it and not be in a constant state of panic….in my opinion there is WAY MORE to being successful than just reaching that number we assign ourselves.
My successes lie here…..
93 pounds off my 5'4" frame
Biking 12 miles
Walking w/o knee or back pain anymore
Going on amusement rides (even kiddie ones) with my kids and not feeling panic.
Able to walk around museums/zoos etc for 6-7 hours w/o having to sit down every 10 mins.
Looking in the mirror and LIKING who and what I see
Fitting into size 12 pants and size 16 shirts
Feeling ok w/myself to go consult w/ the plastic surgeon to remove the excess belly and skin
Eating….good and bad at times
Normal BP
Not obsessing with the scale everyday
Liking to shop for clothes
Believe me…I could go on and on.
Its been an up and down journey at times. And I don't beat myself up as much over my choices but its all still a learning process for me….and Im guessing it will be for quite some time.
But it was nice to go off and live this summer…just to be me, and appreciate me, and cut me some slack….Im not perfect and I never will be….
BUT I AM A SUCCESS!! And it does not matter that i haven't met that ridiculous number that some chart tells me I SHOULD be.
SUCCESS LIES HERE:
  

Well, I am coming off my summer hiatus and am returning feeling successful after 11months with lap band and plication.
My time away this summer has given me time to reflect and revise my plan as to where I want to finally be as far as my WLS journey goes.
I just returned from a trip to Hershey Park with my 4 & 7 year old and am measuring my success in all new ways now. This is the first real get away vacation since I had my surgery last September. I went on rides and was much less fearful of the ride restraints not fitting….they ALL did! I was happy not to be that "fat mom" that I saw get off the roller coaster before the attendant came over to check that the restraint was locked….she could not get the restraint to lock and left her son to ride alone. I silently cried for that mom because that was me a year ago in Disney….but unlike her I was not brave enough then to even try that for fear of being embarrassed or embarrassing my kids. I am not judging her at all but I am glad that I am no longer in that situation, for myself and my kids.
I often find myself looking at people (especially ladies and moms) and thanking the stars that I am no longer at "that point". I see myself in others now (the old me)…and although I am not judging anyone because I lived as obese for so so so many years but I find myself thinking…that was you….that is what you looked like…that is how you moved…that is how others saw you….it makes me feel sad at times.
But as I look to the successes I've had Im happy to have lost 93 pounds in the past 11months. I look now at reaching that goal number I picked out of the air…off "those" charts that say what i "should" weigh given my age and height and I wonder if 140 is realistic for me. Although I haven't been online on this site I have been lurking around and reading all of these posts about stalls and not reaching your goal and its made me think….I've held the same weight for the past 3 months. I haven't been the poster child for lap band surgery….especially this summer….Im off for the summer and with that comes off schedule. I've enjoyed my summer SO much. I've eaten (sometimes too much and have felt it), good choices (although not always), I've even gained a pound….at first i cried and beat myself up over that pound than I got a grip….in the past…that would have been 10 pounds….i've basically maintained my weight for 3 months while eating and enjoying….what a success that is.
People tell me I've lost enough and I look great. What they don't know is Im still about 190 lbs (almost 50 lbs from THAT goal number) and when I tell them that they all say "WOW--you look more like 160. I even had the plastic surgeon tell me how narrow I was…that was nice to hear. I watch people here torture themselves about getting to THAT number…and then they go below it and that is all and fine…but I realized that I am still successful w/o reaching THAT number. I want to eat like a real person and not worry that every morsel of food is going to put 5 lbs back on me. I want to live with food and enjoy it and not be in a constant state of panic….in my opinion there is WAY MORE to being successful than just reaching that number we assign ourselves.
My successes lie here…..
93 pounds off my 5'4" frame
Biking 12 miles
Walking w/o knee or back pain anymore
Going on amusement rides (even kiddie ones) with my kids and not feeling panic.
Able to walk around museums/zoos etc for 6-7 hours w/o having to sit down every 10 mins.
Looking in the mirror and LIKING who and what I see
Fitting into size 12 pants and size 16 shirts
Feeling ok w/myself to go consult w/ the plastic surgeon to remove the excess belly and skin
Eating….good and bad at times
Normal BP
Not obsessing with the scale everyday
Liking to shop for clothes
Believe me…I could go on and on.
Its been an up and down journey at times. And I don't beat myself up as much over my choices but its all still a learning process for me….and Im guessing it will be for quite some time.
But it was nice to go off and live this summer…just to be me, and appreciate me, and cut me some slack….Im not perfect and I never will be….
BUT I AM A SUCCESS!! And it does not matter that i haven't met that ridiculous number that some chart tells me I SHOULD be.
SUCCESS LIES HERE:
  

Amazing story...what a great job!

Congratulations!! you look awesome!! Thanks for reminding us that a number should not be the difining point when it comes to happiness!!

Screw the charts. You're awesome. Nuff' said.

Congratulations chasing!!!you look great and happy.

I believe you look just how you should. Healthy. Happy. "Normal" size. Whatever that is to us!
I don't believe I will hit a doctors ideal goal for me... But I am healthy and fit and very satisfied to stay the same size for years. To me, that is the crux of all the years of work and maintaining and exercising ..... And making good choices for food and lifestyle!
It is rare almost 8 years later to look way back and think of myself as JUMBO. Not my image of myself anymore.
Hope others see themselves differently... It truly helps my head and self image issues. Hope it does for them too. Rear view window for that old size and look. Pictures ( I always have an old one with me) tell me how far I am

Just saw this post today. I am in awe. You are amazing. Let's hear it for living our lives!

Well, I am coming off my summer hiatus and am returning feeling successful after 11months with lap band and plication.
My time away this summer has given me time to reflect and revise my plan as to where I want to finally be as far as my WLS journey goes.
I just returned from a trip to Hershey Park with my 4 & 7 year old and am measuring my success in all new ways now. This is the first real get away vacation since I had my surgery last September. I went on rides and was much less fearful of the ride restraints not fitting….they ALL did! I was happy not to be that "fat mom" that I saw get off the roller coaster before the attendant came over to check that the restraint was locked….she could not get the restraint to lock and left her son to ride alone. I silently cried for that mom because that was me a year ago in Disney….but unlike her I was not brave enough then to even try that for fear of being embarrassed or embarrassing my kids. I am not judging her at all but I am glad that I am no longer in that situation, for myself and my kids.
I often find myself looking at people (especially ladies and moms) and thanking the stars that I am no longer at "that point". I see myself in others now (the old me)…and although I am not judging anyone because I lived as obese for so so so many years but I find myself thinking…that was you….that is what you looked like…that is how you moved…that is how others saw you….it makes me feel sad at times.
But as I look to the successes I've had Im happy to have lost 93 pounds in the past 11months. I look now at reaching that goal number I picked out of the air…off "those" charts that say what i "should" weigh given my age and height and I wonder if 140 is realistic for me. Although I haven't been online on this site I have been lurking around and reading all of these posts about stalls and not reaching your goal and its made me think….I've held the same weight for the past 3 months. I haven't been the poster child for lap band surgery….especially this summer….Im off for the summer and with that comes off schedule. I've enjoyed my summer SO much. I've eaten (sometimes too much and have felt it), good choices (although not always), I've even gained a pound….at first i cried and beat myself up over that pound than I got a grip….in the past…that would have been 10 pounds….i've basically maintained my weight for 3 months while eating and enjoying….what a success that is.
People tell me I've lost enough and I look great. What they don't know is Im still about 190 lbs (almost 50 lbs from THAT goal number) and when I tell them that they all say "WOW--you look more like 160. I even had the plastic surgeon tell me how narrow I was…that was nice to hear. I watch people here torture themselves about getting to THAT number…and then they go below it and that is all and fine…but I realized that I am still successful w/o reaching THAT number. I want to eat like a real person and not worry that every morsel of food is going to put 5 lbs back on me. I want to live with food and enjoy it and not be in a constant state of panic….in my opinion there is WAY MORE to being successful than just reaching that number we assign ourselves.
My successes lie here…..
93 pounds off my 5'4" frame
Biking 12 miles
Walking w/o knee or back pain anymore
Going on amusement rides (even kiddie ones) with my kids and not feeling panic.
Able to walk around museums/zoos etc for 6-7 hours w/o having to sit down every 10 mins.
Looking in the mirror and LIKING who and what I see
Fitting into size 12 pants and size 16 shirts
Feeling ok w/myself to go consult w/ the plastic surgeon to remove the excess belly and skin
Eating….good and bad at times
Normal BP
Not obsessing with the scale everyday
Liking to shop for clothes
Believe me…I could go on and on.
Its been an up and down journey at times. And I don't beat myself up as much over my choices but its all still a learning process for me….and Im guessing it will be for quite some time.
But it was nice to go off and live this summer…just to be me, and appreciate me, and cut me some slack….Im not perfect and I never will be….
BUT I AM A SUCCESS!! And it does not matter that i haven't met that ridiculous number that some chart tells me I SHOULD be.
SUCCESS LIES HERE:
  

Well, I am coming off my summer hiatus and am returning feeling successful after 11months with lap band and plication.
My time away this summer has given me time to reflect and revise my plan as to where I want to finally be as far as my WLS journey goes.
I just returned from a trip to Hershey Park with my 4 & 7 year old and am measuring my success in all new ways now. This is the first real get away vacation since I had my surgery last September. I went on rides and was much less fearful of the ride restraints not fitting….they ALL did! I was happy not to be that "fat mom" that I saw get off the roller coaster before the attendant came over to check that the restraint was locked….she could not get the restraint to lock and left her son to ride alone. I silently cried for that mom because that was me a year ago in Disney….but unlike her I was not brave enough then to even try that for fear of being embarrassed or embarrassing my kids. I am not judging her at all but I am glad that I am no longer in that situation, for myself and my kids.
I often find myself looking at people (especially ladies and moms) and thanking the stars that I am no longer at "that point". I see myself in others now (the old me)…and although I am not judging anyone because I lived as obese for so so so many years but I find myself thinking…that was you….that is what you looked like…that is how you moved…that is how others saw you….it makes me feel sad at times.
But as I look to the successes I've had Im happy to have lost 93 pounds in the past 11months. I look now at reaching that goal number I picked out of the air…off "those" charts that say what i "should" weigh given my age and height and I wonder if 140 is realistic for me. Although I haven't been online on this site I have been lurking around and reading all of these posts about stalls and not reaching your goal and its made me think….I've held the same weight for the past 3 months. I haven't been the poster child for lap band surgery….especially this summer….Im off for the summer and with that comes off schedule. I've enjoyed my summer SO much. I've eaten (sometimes too much and have felt it), good choices (although not always), I've even gained a pound….at first i cried and beat myself up over that pound than I got a grip….in the past…that would have been 10 pounds….i've basically maintained my weight for 3 months while eating and enjoying….what a success that is.
People tell me I've lost enough and I look great. What they don't know is Im still about 190 lbs (almost 50 lbs from THAT goal number) and when I tell them that they all say "WOW--you look more like 160. I even had the plastic surgeon tell me how narrow I was…that was nice to hear. I watch people here torture themselves about getting to THAT number…and then they go below it and that is all and fine…but I realized that I am still successful w/o reaching THAT number. I want to eat like a real person and not worry that every morsel of food is going to put 5 lbs back on me. I want to live with food and enjoy it and not be in a constant state of panic….in my opinion there is WAY MORE to being successful than just reaching that number we assign ourselves.
My successes lie here…..
93 pounds off my 5'4" frame
Biking 12 miles
Walking w/o knee or back pain anymore
Going on amusement rides (even kiddie ones) with my kids and not feeling panic.
Able to walk around museums/zoos etc for 6-7 hours w/o having to sit down every 10 mins.
Looking in the mirror and LIKING who and what I see
Fitting into size 12 pants and size 16 shirts
Feeling ok w/myself to go consult w/ the plastic surgeon to remove the excess belly and skin
Eating….good and bad at times
Normal BP
Not obsessing with the scale everyday
Liking to shop for clothes
Believe me…I could go on and on.
Its been an up and down journey at times. And I don't beat myself up as much over my choices but its all still a learning process for me….and Im guessing it will be for quite some time.
But it was nice to go off and live this summer…just to be me, and appreciate me, and cut me some slack….Im not perfect and I never will be….
BUT I AM A SUCCESS!! And it does not matter that i haven't met that ridiculous number that some chart tells me I SHOULD be.
SUCCESS LIES HERE:
  

Mostly I just listen to my body and make good choices but don't count calories or Protein grams, etc. This is because I was so restrictive in my dieting life. I am not on a diet now; that's why I got the band. I eat small amounts of good food at appropriate intervals and then stop when I get the signal that I've had enough (note that "enough" is not the old sensation of "full" -- we don't really eat to fullness, we stop when we are satisfied). And fortunately I already love "real" food so I didn't have to address addictions to junk foods, artificial sweeteners, etc.

Well, I am coming off my summer hiatus and am returning feeling successful after 11months with lap band and plication.
My time away this summer has given me time to reflect and revise my plan as to where I want to finally be as far as my WLS journey goes.
I just returned from a trip to Hershey Park with my 4 & 7 year old and am measuring my success in all new ways now. This is the first real get away vacation since I had my surgery last September. I went on rides and was much less fearful of the ride restraints not fitting….they ALL did! I was happy not to be that "fat mom" that I saw get off the roller coaster before the attendant came over to check that the restraint was locked….she could not get the restraint to lock and left her son to ride alone. I silently cried for that mom because that was me a year ago in Disney….but unlike her I was not brave enough then to even try that for fear of being embarrassed or embarrassing my kids. I am not judging her at all but I am glad that I am no longer in that situation, for myself and my kids.
I often find myself looking at people (especially ladies and moms) and thanking the stars that I am no longer at "that point". I see myself in others now (the old me)…and although I am not judging anyone because I lived as obese for so so so many years but I find myself thinking…that was you….that is what you looked like…that is how you moved…that is how others saw you….it makes me feel sad at times.
But as I look to the successes I've had Im happy to have lost 93 pounds in the past 11months. I look now at reaching that goal number I picked out of the air…off "those" charts that say what i "should" weigh given my age and height and I wonder if 140 is realistic for me. Although I haven't been online on this site I have been lurking around and reading all of these posts about stalls and not reaching your goal and its made me think….I've held the same weight for the past 3 months. I haven't been the poster child for lap band surgery….especially this summer….Im off for the summer and with that comes off schedule. I've enjoyed my summer SO much. I've eaten (sometimes too much and have felt it), good choices (although not always), I've even gained a pound….at first i cried and beat myself up over that pound than I got a grip….in the past…that would have been 10 pounds….i've basically maintained my weight for 3 months while eating and enjoying….what a success that is.
People tell me I've lost enough and I look great. What they don't know is Im still about 190 lbs (almost 50 lbs from THAT goal number) and when I tell them that they all say "WOW--you look more like 160. I even had the plastic surgeon tell me how narrow I was…that was nice to hear. I watch people here torture themselves about getting to THAT number…and then they go below it and that is all and fine…but I realized that I am still successful w/o reaching THAT number. I want to eat like a real person and not worry that every morsel of food is going to put 5 lbs back on me. I want to live with food and enjoy it and not be in a constant state of panic….in my opinion there is WAY MORE to being successful than just reaching that number we assign ourselves.
My successes lie here…..
93 pounds off my 5'4" frame
Biking 12 miles
Walking w/o knee or back pain anymore
Going on amusement rides (even kiddie ones) with my kids and not feeling panic.
Able to walk around museums/zoos etc for 6-7 hours w/o having to sit down every 10 mins.
Looking in the mirror and LIKING who and what I see
Fitting into size 12 pants and size 16 shirts
Feeling ok w/myself to go consult w/ the plastic surgeon to remove the excess belly and skin
Eating….good and bad at times
Normal BP
Not obsessing with the scale everyday
Liking to shop for clothes
Believe me…I could go on and on.
Its been an up and down journey at times. And I don't beat myself up as much over my choices but its all still a learning process for me….and Im guessing it will be for quite some time.
But it was nice to go off and live this summer…just to be me, and appreciate me, and cut me some slack….Im not perfect and I never will be….
BUT I AM A SUCCESS!! And it does not matter that i haven't met that ridiculous number that some chart tells me I SHOULD be.
SUCCESS LIES HERE:
  

Well, I am coming off my summer hiatus and am returning feeling successful after 11months with lap band and plication.
My time away this summer has given me time to reflect and revise my plan as to where I want to finally be as far as my WLS journey goes.
I just returned from a trip to Hershey Park with my 4 & 7 year old and am measuring my success in all new ways now. This is the first real get away vacation since I had my surgery last September. I went on rides and was much less fearful of the ride restraints not fitting….they ALL did! I was happy not to be that "fat mom" that I saw get off the roller coaster before the attendant came over to check that the restraint was locked….she could not get the restraint to lock and left her son to ride alone. I silently cried for that mom because that was me a year ago in Disney….but unlike her I was not brave enough then to even try that for fear of being embarrassed or embarrassing my kids. I am not judging her at all but I am glad that I am no longer in that situation, for myself and my kids.
I often find myself looking at people (especially ladies and moms) and thanking the stars that I am no longer at "that point". I see myself in others now (the old me)…and although I am not judging anyone because I lived as obese for so so so many years but I find myself thinking…that was you….that is what you looked like…that is how you moved…that is how others saw you….it makes me feel sad at times.
But as I look to the successes I've had Im happy to have lost 93 pounds in the past 11months. I look now at reaching that goal number I picked out of the air…off "those" charts that say what i "should" weigh given my age and height and I wonder if 140 is realistic for me. Although I haven't been online on this site I have been lurking around and reading all of these posts about stalls and not reaching your goal and its made me think….I've held the same weight for the past 3 months. I haven't been the poster child for lap band surgery….especially this summer….Im off for the summer and with that comes off schedule. I've enjoyed my summer SO much. I've eaten (sometimes too much and have felt it), good choices (although not always), I've even gained a pound….at first i cried and beat myself up over that pound than I got a grip….in the past…that would have been 10 pounds….i've basically maintained my weight for 3 months while eating and enjoying….what a success that is.
People tell me I've lost enough and I look great. What they don't know is Im still about 190 lbs (almost 50 lbs from THAT goal number) and when I tell them that they all say "WOW--you look more like 160. I even had the plastic surgeon tell me how narrow I was…that was nice to hear. I watch people here torture themselves about getting to THAT number…and then they go below it and that is all and fine…but I realized that I am still successful w/o reaching THAT number. I want to eat like a real person and not worry that every morsel of food is going to put 5 lbs back on me. I want to live with food and enjoy it and not be in a constant state of panic….in my opinion there is WAY MORE to being successful than just reaching that number we assign ourselves.
My successes lie here…..
93 pounds off my 5'4" frame
Biking 12 miles
Walking w/o knee or back pain anymore
Going on amusement rides (even kiddie ones) with my kids and not feeling panic.
Able to walk around museums/zoos etc for 6-7 hours w/o having to sit down every 10 mins.
Looking in the mirror and LIKING who and what I see
Fitting into size 12 pants and size 16 shirts
Feeling ok w/myself to go consult w/ the plastic surgeon to remove the excess belly and skin
Eating….good and bad at times
Normal BP
Not obsessing with the scale everyday
Liking to shop for clothes
Believe me…I could go on and on.
Its been an up and down journey at times. And I don't beat myself up as much over my choices but its all still a learning process for me….and Im guessing it will be for quite some time.
But it was nice to go off and live this summer…just to be me, and appreciate me, and cut me some slack….Im not perfect and I never will be….
BUT I AM A SUCCESS!! And it does not matter that i haven't met that ridiculous number that some chart tells me I SHOULD be.
SUCCESS LIES HERE: