I have been fighting the fat war since I was 4 years old. I finally won the war, leaving only small skirmishes that crop up regularly. My friends tell me these little battles are what a “normal” person always deals with.Just five years ago, I was 424 pounds, had arthritis in my right knee, and had trouble walking across a parking lot. My asthma forced me to stop and catch my breath several times across those parking lots. I rented a scooter to be able to take my grandkids to Disneyland. I let my husband go into the market while I waited in the truck. People looked fearfully at me when I was getting on a plane, hoping I wasn’t sitting next to them.

In March 2004, at 424 pounds, I had a hypertension crisis that got my attention. To this point, my arthritis, asthma, reflux, and sleep apnea had not yet been enough to make me take notice.

I have succeeded at most everything I have tried in life -- I have a wonderful marriage of more than 40 years to my soul mate, a great daughter, four awesome grandchildren, and a successful business I built from scratch over 20 years ago. But I could NEVER get a handle on my weight for longer than five minutes.

On 5/28/2004, at 55 years old, I had life-changing, and life-saving, Lap-band®®® surgery. Within 28 months I had lost 250 pounds. Now, more than five years after surgery, I am holding at 175 pounds and loving it. I am off all my medications and move freely and vigorously through my new life. With the help of this tool and a great support team I have reached a place where it is fun to go anywhere and try new things, and I actually enjoy looking at pictures of myself (well, most of the time).

Amazing! Congratulations.

Helene- thanks so much. It really is heartwarming to receive kind words. I know I had lost hope of ever being normal and then something clicked inside me when I was frightened into looking at alternatives to being so overweight that I was actually killing myself. Where are you in your journey? I offer any information or inspiration I can to all of us struggling daily with our weight issues.

I just got banded on 1/5/10 and am really struggling with learning a whole new way of eating. I have several slimming episodes a week and am pretty discouraged with my weight loss. I know I should be more patient but it's so difficult, my appetite is still really big.

I just got banded on 1/5/10 and am really struggling with learning a whole new way of eating. I have several slimming episodes a week and am pretty discouraged with my weight loss. I know I should be more patient but it's so difficult, my appetite is still really big.

Helene I would be happy to give you all the support I can. Stay in touch. Send PM's or email me directly at sandi@bandedliving.com. Nobody said this would be easy. It takes alot of work and alot of changes in your life. I would be happy to offer any suggestions at al;l. Just keep reaching out. You are doing the right thing by "sharing" your struggle right now. Have you had a fill yet? If not, that is probably why you are feeling hungry. If you have had a fill you are just not at your "sweet spot" yet. If you send me an email I can try to help you with some choices that may assist you with diminishing your hunger.

also, I am so passionate baout how this surgery has helped me that I have started a blog that may have osme useful information for you. You can find it at Sandi's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story

You may want to log on and poke around to see if there are some useful tips for you.

Please PM or email me at sandi@bandedliving.com and we can try to get you not quite so hungry all the time. I'm here to help.

:unsure:Hi,I would like to see some of your food plan.I have been a slow loser and want to see what a really sucessful plan looks like,LOl,thanks,laura:thumbup:

:unsure:Hi,I would like to see some of your food plan.I have been a slow loser and want to see what a really sucessful plan looks like,LOl,thanks,laura:thumbup:

It's not my food plan that is important, it is yours. First of all, what does lsoing slowly mean? Every pound down is one less to lose and one more that will not come back if you are making permanent changes in the way you eat. Write down what you eat (portion size included) for a few days and either send it to me, look at it carefully yourself or have a nutrionist or your doctor revie wit with you and any of us can probably come up with some suggestions for helping your loss along as long as you are not expecting too much too soon..

Just so all of you know what "normal" is for me after just short of six years - I just got back from a week's vacation and each and every day at this all inclusive resort I had to make choices - breakfast from the buffett- donuts, sweet rolls, eggs, bacon, fruit juice, smoothies, granola, hot chocolate, all of the above, none of the above- the same for lunch, the same for dinner- too much food, ll the liquor I could drink, and too many choices.

bottom line- IT WAS HARD! I worked every meal at making good healthful, but tasty choices and left the table after each meal satisfied. I did have a glass or two of wine with dinner, but kept breakfasts to egg white omlettes to balance, and, because it is almost sacriligious not to, I did have one frozen rum drink - I hated it, too sweet! It is interesting to me, that as my daily choices become more and more part of my life, I can avoid some (notice some- not all) of what would have previously been weak points for me.

Moral of the story - it is all doable! We cn enjoy food without eating everything in sight and maintain a normal weight!

wow congrats that is truely amazing!

Thanks. If you're interested you can read about my journey on my blog atSandi's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story

Hi:

I am so proud of you and your pictures are absolutely fabulous. I have only had the band for one year and one month and I have gone from 312 lbs down to 220 lbs and my goal is to get to 200 even. I am 5'10'' tall and my desire is to be able to wear a size 14 and/or 16. I am 58 years old and never thought I could accomplish this, I have about 8 more pounds to go and I will have lost a total of 100 pounds.

You have 6 years with the lapband and I was so happy to hear of someone who had it this long and had success with it. I have had really no problems with my band and I love it and I work out 3 times a week doing cardio. Like you I am off all meds knee surgery, back problems, premature diabetes, high blood pressure I couldn't take it anymore!! Thank you for sharing and again you look fabulous.

You are truly an inspiration to keep going.

I need to lose 200-250lbs and my first question to my surgon was if it was possible to do with the band. He said it was but I really did not believe him till I read your post. Im down 98 and have about 127 more to go I am glad I stumbled on to your post I am really inspired to hear it really is possible!!! Thanks for shareing!!

You guys are all the greatest! It is so gratifying to be able to offer some hope and inspiration to all of you who are getting started on this journey, but the biggest reward of all is to see how far we have all been able to come with our bands.

We all deserve a GOOD JOB!

Thanks for sharing- you made my day.

I am happy to share with any of you who would like to contact me via email.

HAVE A GREAT DAY!

Thank you so much for sharing your story, Sandi. I am in the beginning of my journey, still trying to get insurance approval. I have quite a bit to lose and your inspiration was just what the doctor ordered. You are awfully pretty. God bless you.

thank you so much for sharing your story im actually crying. i am 374 pounds myself and only 15 and a half. i am going to get the lap band but i was afraid i wouldnt lose as much because im bigger but your sucess really opened my eyes and i know i can do it and will secseed. thank you and god bless :sad: