Two months and one week ago I made the decision to get the band. Self Pay, (actually, employer paid) so no Insurance nonsense to deal with or slow me down. I came to the decision after visiting my Endocrinologist and having seen my weight up, my AIC up, my BP up, my liver enzymes up and knowing I was heading down a bad road.

Went to the seminar 2 months ago. I was banded 1 month ago (11/23).

Today, I saw the Endo Dr. again. I am off ALL type II diabetes meds completely. I am off one BP med (out of 3) and take the other two only every other day. Off depression meds. Can sleep without the CPAP when I travel with no problems (still use it at home cause it is like an old friend).

According to the Dr. scale I have lost 32 lbs (clothes and shoes) and my scale (Bare after working out) 38 lbs.

I can do 1 hr+ on the eliptical and do at least 35 to 40 mins on it every day. I am in the gym or out walking at least 4 miles 6 days a week, even when I am on the road traveling.

I record all my food and exercise on my Iphone using the Loseit App, and eat about 1400 calories a day.

I have my first fill next week, and can't wait.

The band has been the motivation to do everything else right. It has given me accountability to others, and self realization everytime I see the scars and feel the port.

While I have 106 pounds more to my goal, and know it will take all of 2010 to come close to reaching it, I am so motivated, happy and proud to have come this far.

I want to thank all of you that post. I read your posts and learn from them and feel your struggles. I truly appreciate the honesty so many of you bring to this board. The difficulties, emotions, physical challenges, etc are all laid out for us all to read, and absorb. Knowing I am going thru the same things as so many of you is a comfort and an assurance that this journey is possible, not always easy, but well worth the effort.

Thanks again to all of you, just wanted to share my story a little. I have been FAT all my life. It ends now.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Best Wishes to you all.....

TJ

Congratulations and keep up the good work!!

The positive testimonials here are very inspirational to the rest of us. Especially when you point out that you are doing all of the work and not treating the band like a magic pill.