jfc193

I have had my band since September 2007 and have yet to reach my goal but am very happy to have lost over 100 lbs. My mom and siblings have always have problems with weight issues. I started gaining weight at the age of 25. Over the next 26 years I went from 150 to 330. I developed diabetes type 2, sleep apnea, sever pains in my back and knees walking was a chore, getting off the coach was and an adventure It seems when I stay away from this board that I gain weight and find my way back My lowest weight since banded was around December 2009 around 190. Afterwards stop exercising and even though I still ate properly during my meals I went back to heavy duty snacking and the weight started to creep back on. In June 2011 I had a complete unfill due to esophagus dilation and during the next three months gained 25 lbs I slowly kept gaining weight. On January 1 2013 after reaching 250 I recommitted myself and am losing weight again Some of the benefits that have come as a result of the band are: No more diabetes medicine No more sleep apnea No more pain in my back or knees I actually enjoy walking I can keep up with the grand children six years and no seat belt extender I do not get the evil eye when I sit next to them on the plane. I really like not having to walk sideways down the aisle of a plane. Do not have to get down on my knees to get the golf ball out of a cup. My wife and I went Parasailing due to the combine weight loss of over 200 lbs we were 150 lbs under the limit and had a great time. I can leave food on a plate and not feel guilty There is no doubt that the way I was heading that I would of been over 400 lbs. For me the band has worked and though I have had my ups and down it was one of my best decisions I have ever made.

Congratulations Alex Had my band for 7 years and any problems with the band have been my fault, but there would of been no way that I would of kept off over a hundred lbs without the band. Sure I could stand to lose 40 more lbs but you just can't beat the quality of life that I now enjoy.

I had mine take out in March 2013 and am doing well without the old gallbladder.

Very true, the only problems I had with the 4 cc band has been my fault. Really too bad that after a few years folks leave this forum.

on Septembe 7, 2014 I had my 7 year lapBand anniversary. I have a 4cc band which has just a little over1 cc of Fluid in it. I have been off medication for 6 years. I have kept off over 100 lbs for six years u have not lost any real weight in a long time. I could stand to lose another 50 lbs but I am happy with my quality of life.

San Pedro, CA

Some folks do not realize that they are not really helping with those comments. Along the same lines as How much you gonna lose, Aren't you at goal yet, or my personal favorite Are you losing weight because your sick. Take care

My wife and i celebrating our thirty fifth wedding anniversry by going parasailing. Seven years ago this would of been a dream because we would of been way over the weight limit. Life is good

Terrific NSV. I live in CA and fly a lot and I get a lot of funny looks from tsa agents who look at my license and look at me.

Some times the best NSV's are those that are unexpected.

Nice to hear from you Terry, Glad to hear that you still check in once in awhile. I too am not as active as I used to be, I follow a few threads. I am also very comfortable with my band and see my dr once or twice a year. I know what I am supposed to do and hold myself totally accountable for my journey. The band is doing what it is supposed to do and my life is pretty good.

Family you got to love them. What I appreciate more is knowing I can do a lot more today then I could 7 years ago. Just getting off the couch was an adventure now I just get up. What used to be embarrassing was getting into a crowded elevator either the alarm would go off or my butt was not in far enough and the door would not close. Life is so much better now even if no one ever noticed.

Nice to be a part of #6.I am in my six year of being banded and am amazed of how much weight I have kept off knowing that my pattern before was to lose 50lbs but gain back 60lbs Just enjoying life a little more each day, glad not to be on diabetic medicine no more sleep apnea.

WAY to go on the weight loss. It is incredible what will come out of a person mouth. I am so glad at the end of the day The only one that I have to please is myself.

Thank you for the early morning reminder. "Today is the day Let us be glad and Rejoice in it"

Very interesting, In my late teens I reached my maximum height of 5' 7" as I gained weight and reach 330 pounds my height was only 5'5" after losing more than a hundred pounds I am almost back to 5'7". SO you might be getting taller, lol.

Love the little things in life that have return such as: Taking the stairs instead of the elevator. not having to wear a seat belt extender on a plane. Not having to walk sideways in the airplane aisle. keeping up with the grand kids. Not afraid to get up on a ladder (have broken a few in the past) Love riding all the coasters at Disney Land.

The wife and I had Lap Band surgery in Septemer 2007. Even though I may never get to goal I have still been able to keep over a hundred pounds off. I have a good fiend who I have known for 40 years and has seen me go up and down in my weight battle where I would lose 50 lbs and gain 60 lbs At least once a year keeps sayiing "still keeping off the weight huh" Another well meaning concern individual wanted to know if I had lost weight due to having cancer.

Congratulations on your upcoming surgery. I have 4 grand children and I am very grateful to be able to keep up with them. Many times I hear Grampa you are going to fast slow down.

I average about 30,000 air miles a year so six years without a seat extender is truly a blessing.

So very nice when people notice especially when you really need to hear something positive.

Had a male friend who had not seem me for awhile and had always ben super thin who has now put on a little weight tell me I was so skinny not really true but nice to hear, especially from another alpha male. A terrific incentive not to give up.

At my highest weight over 330 I was on top of a hundred year old ladder (built to last) about 14 feet in the air attached to a water tower and broke about 4 of the steps. I do not do well with heights anyways. In any case I can now get on any ladder and not have a fear that it will break.

Not sure if you are familiar with the song "Where, Oh Where Has my old fat a$$ gone?"

From a Grampa who is used to having his own way. I originally tried to talk my wife out of having the lapband because I really did not know much about this surgery. Not only did she have the surgery but we had it together on the same day. As Jack said above the Lapband has given me back my life and my only regret was not having it done sooner. You have made your decision and while you respect her opinion do what is best for you.