Irish Girl

Wow.....sorry to hear about people not doing so well after 5 years. I just had my "bandiversary" (4/28/2006) and a visit to my Doc. He said I was truly a success story for the band. I began my journey at 225 pounds. I did lose my weight within a year and a half of surgery. I lost 85 pounds which was a huge success for me since I never had any real success while dieting on my own. I exercise 3 times per week, not every week, but I really try. If I see my scale creeping up, I know I need to focus, focus, focus. I use an Iphone app called "lose it" to track food and exercise. When I use that app, I have to be honest with myself. I have about an 8 pound weight fluctuation. I am maintaining my 85 pound weight loss and am very happy about this. I have found that I really enjoy bicycling, hot yoga and racquetball. I know that I can't have a sedentary lifestyle if I want my band to help me. I made a promise to myself when I began this life changing decision ---- I would NEVER let myself get that far out of control again. Life is too short. Take care all.

I'm still around. I had my surgery in April 2006. I can't believe it has almost been 5 years. Started at 225 and ended up at 150. I am STILL at 150. Happy, happy.

Dr Earl Fox is my doc. Here I am almost a year out and 75 pounds down. The office staff is pretty nice (in Tacoma). He is a pretty nice guy. I don't have any complaints about him. Good luck.

I hope all is going well. I am sure you are doing great cuz you are a trooper. Cant wait to hear from you.

I have gone down around the body too. From a 40DD to a 36D. The girls are definately flatter though.

What is your "Bandiversary" goal? I would love to be at my goal weight of 135. It is looming so close. What have you learned this past year? That I can succeed at weight loss...all I needed was some help. Could you share your most rewarding NSV (non-scale victory)? There are so many. I have found the self confidence that I thought I lost, no more cholesterol medication, the restless leg syndrome is gone, bye bye sleep apnea, hugs from my son because he can get his arms around me, shopping in normal sized stores, enjoying shopping because I can find things that fit, mowing the yard without getting winded in the first five minutes.....the list goes on and on and on. What is your biggest challenge? Trying to keep eating the "bandster" way. What tips would you pass on to the April 2007 newbies? Make good food choices, but don't deprive yourself of a small treat once in while (this is for your sanity). Drink lots of Water (dehydration is a bad thing.....kidney stones are not your friend). Don't be afraid to ask questions. The best people to get banded information from is from another bandster. What is your greatest fear? Slipping up, eating too much, and falling into the same bad habits that got me to where I was in the first place. What goals do you have for the future? My biggest short term goal is to participate in the Danskin triathlon in Seattle in August of this year. How has your life changed? I am definately more active and outgoing. Has living with the band met up to your expectations? I didn't really have major expectations to begin with. I read so much about only losing a portion of the weight will be lost. But I truly believe the weight you lose will depend on you. I am so happy I did this and I would do it again in a second. If you could talk to yourself a year ago, what would you say? To not be so afraid about doing something for myself. Be a hero to yourself as this will be a life changing experience.

Welcome Bec...you can find tons of great information here. All you have to so is ask.

Oh my gosh....I am almost at my bandiversary and I am still cold. I went to Mexico for vacation last week and it was in the 80s and I was warm there. I think I may be destined to move to a warmer climate. I asked the doc and he said eventually our internal thermometer will adjust to the smaller us. I just hope it would hurry.

Oh my gosh. I have this recurring nightmare that someone breaks in to my house and I chase him out and run down the street after him stark naked. Talk about scaring and blinding the neighbors (My skin is really pale). I am in t-shirt or tank with cotton bottoms or shorts.

My food bill isn't less. I can attribute it to the fact that I am eating healthier foods instead of the pre-packaged, processed stuff.