ousooner

Well, here we are, One year post op. I have enjoyed and been inspired by all my friends here and other boards. What can i say other than I love my band. It has been one of the best years of my life. I feel like I have my life back Let me post some before and after stats: Before/After 334/175-180(at goal and maintaining) 56 inch waist/34 inch waist (pant size) 54% body fat/19% body fat XXXL/Med to Large (shirt size) borderline diabetic with high blood pressure/low-normal range for both I have gotten my life back because of the Band. I can do anything I want to now and not have to worry about if I am too heavy or large to participate. I have lost weight before, but never reached my goal and never kept it off. I have been at goal for 3 months now and have maintained. Thanks to you all for sharing this journey with me. <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Looks like a lot of upcoming and newly banded guys. Awesome to see so many of us taking back our lives. Great job men!

I missed the new thread for May. Sorry I missed some bandiversaries. Everyoneone has done so well, We have to represent the best month of Bandsters ever! So proud of all of you and glad I am sharing this journey with you. You keep me going Happy Bandiverary to us all! :Banane56:

That's the one thing I understand. I grew up as a child in Libya. As Americans we targeted because we were Americans. Though not physically abused, our house was broken into several times and our pets killed. So yes, I do understand what its like to be singled out and be a victim of crime because of who I am.

Sunta, First of all, your claim that Christan's wish harm and violence to anyone is absurd! I am not opposed to the bill. My point is that all crime should be treated equally, a hate crime is a hate crime regardless of races, gender, sexuall preference, etc, make no difference to me. I oppose all violent crime and think the penalties should be very harsh equally across the board. I think the point Jill was trying to make (and she can correct me if I'm wrong ) is that someone bent on committing a crime out of hatred will do so regardless of the penalty and adding extra time won't be a determining factor. I am sorry you have such disdain for Christan's and religion in general. I think I have been very respectfull of you in my posts on religious matters, but it definately seems you have an agenda against organized religion.

Linda, you have done such an awesome job. I am so proud of this May 2006 group.

Hi Mark, I certainly respect your views. I am not a great debater (as I've said ) I don't have all the aswers, but I do beleive God is fair and just and wouldn't do that. If I understood it as you do, I wouldn't want to be a part of it either.

It wasn't meant to disrespect. By saying this I just meant that for me, personally, I don't need scientific proof to validate my faith. For some, they need that. I can't prove that God exists, its my faith that he does. I can't prove the Bible is true, its my faith that it is. We are all different and come to our belief system differently, thats all. If someone were to ask me to prove that God exists, I can't prove it, I can only share my experiences and my beliefs. Just as I don't believe in sweethots religion, I respect her for her faith and her respectfulness, just I do everyone else's.

Hi sweethot. I seldom like to post on these threads, but wanted to say that I applaude your respecfulness here. I am not a great debater or defender of my own faith sometimes because of that. I don't agree with your faith, but I respect it. I hope that makes sence. On a thread that you could have easily come off looking bad and defensive, you didn't. Discussion about faith are hard to defend, because it is based on faith, not so much facts and those wanting to beleive only in facts are never satisfied with faith based answers.

Glad I was able to come and traffic wasn't to heavy. Wish I could have stayed longer :fish: Glad to meet everyone and look forward to see ya'll again!

Why limit it to minorities. All crimes done out of hatred should be covered.

You guys are too kind. Glad I can inspire others like others inspired me around here. Wish I had more time to hang around here. You guys are doing great and inspire me in my maintanace stage. Thanks for your kind words

Spounds like a blast, you must take pics and post them for us! :confused:

Hi guys, for the first time in my life, I am not wanting to loose any more weight, so I will be rooting for you guys from the sidelines on your contest. In the words of Rob Schneider "You can do it! " Jesse - glad to see you here!

Thanks. Gald you had a safe trip! Where did you end up finding a house?

Same here, I think I like the new look

I can only speak for my self. I was obese my whole life. I had lap-band 11 months ago. I was 5'9" 334 pounds. I reached my goal of 180 in February. Lap-Band saved my life and would do it again in a heartbeat. That being siad, It is not a magic cure. There is plenty of work that needs to be done after banding. You must do your part in making good food choices and following the rules or it won't work. Let me know if you have any specific questions,

I was down 115 pounds at the 6 month mark

If that's her 4 months post op, I imagine you would still be able to see her scars, even if faintly.

Robert, There are no restrictions on excercise after being banded. If you only need to loose 40 pounds, though. You may not qualify for it. Most Dr's recommend a BMI of at least 35 with co-morbities (diabeties, high BP, etc) or a BMI of 40 or higher. Here is a link to the makers homepage and it has a BMI calculator on it. Good luck http://www.lapband.com/lapband/portal.do

My Dr. doesn't even prescribe a Pro-Op Diet. I had several last meals during the last week pre-op

Kat is right, each company has its own guidlines. Mine was BMI of >35 with at least one co-morbidity or a BMI of >40 with no co-morbidities. I have UHC. I was approved and had surgery 5 weeks to the day I had my innitial consultation.

I chose "other" because I am at goal and am not trying to loose any more. Never in my life did I think I would be at a point where I could say that. :confused:

I should be able to maintain with this fill level. Its a hard transition because I kept to such a strict diet during the loss, its hard mentally to allow myself a few extra calories or non-diet foods Thanks for your encouragement. :confused:

Thanks guys, Kim- Life at goal is still a struggle, probably always will be :confused: I have maintained ok. I still weigh daily and make sure I stay between 175 and 180. I treat myself a little more than I used to, but not too much. And I don't freak out if I go up a pound or two, just make sure I am good for a couple of days. I think I have gotten to where I like my picture taken now. That is the only time I see my new self. It is really strange, looking in the mirror, I still see the old me and only in pics can I see such a change. Weird, huh?