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).

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:

You can and will do it as long as you can stay focused. I am so proud of you for making the committment. If there is anything I can do to help you on your journey please contact me. You can email me, PM me, or reach me on the forums. You also may want to take a look at my new website, by patients, for patients at Lap Band Support, Lap Band Forums and Information

You can find some great inspiration and information there. Remember, we are all rooting you on so use us all to help you on your journey.

You are amazing. Thank you for telling your story.

I just want to comend u on your wonderful weight lose and attitude toward everything we have a few things in common right now I am sitting here feeling like a failure I have been post opt for 2 1/2 yrs did great the first yr and went down after that i have still kelp off 40lbs but gained the other back I am actually the smallest I have ever been since I have been married and we will be married 8 yrs. next month we are trying for a baby have been were going into our 15 month now and by gainning a few lbs bk I feel like a failure I just wish I could start over, there is things that I have never got to do in life and want to be able to we will renew our vows in 2 yrs and I want to wear a real wedding dress then I couldnt when we first got married , I am also in the works of opening up my own business from scratch just like you but I just wanted to say thank you for your blog it is truly a blessing to ready it good luck and god bless.

Congratulations! You are an inspiration!

Wow, that is amazing - congrats. Its very inspiring to read stories like this being that I have started the process to change my life as well with LapBand surgery.

You are amazing. Thank you for telling your story.

Thank you. Amazing, perhaps, motivated and blessed by all the support I have had and this wonderful tool- definitely!

Wow. You look amazing.

I'm glad everything worked well for you!

Wow, as everyone else has said. WOW WOW WOW. I had my band done in March three weeks before my 55th birthday. It appears age is no barrier to success. You are indeed a shining star.

You are awesome! This is so wonderful!!!! I am so happy for you! This is a feat that a strong person determined to make it work, I love it! Thank you for your story.

Wendy

You look wicked awesome! Congrats! So much hard work!

Lady Lap Band

Congratulations to you and your amazing weight loss! You look amazing! It's never too late to make a change in your life.

Best wishes,

Alysia

:biggrin:

Thank you so much for posting your success story! I really needed this tonight! I was banded 12/22/2008 and have lost 70 lbs. but just recently began feeling like I should be doing better.. It will be 2 years this December and I just felt like I should be more than 1/2 way there. 1/2 way is still better than where I was 2 years ago when I couldn't breath on exertion, had asthma, gerd, and most sadly... could not enjoy my grandkids. Your story reminds me that this is a journey. not a race! I can be proud of my 70 lbs. and know that I am not done. My journey is not over. If it takes another 2 years, 4 years, whatever it takes... I can succeed. I already have! Thank you for your inspiring story!:cursing:

Your story is wonderful, was there anytime that you failed? I had surgery one year ago and lost 80 ilbs. and got off track and gained 40 back and can't seem to get back in the cruve.

Your story is wonderful, was there anytime that you failed? I had surgery one year ago and lost 80 ilbs. and got off track and gained 40 back and can't seem to get back in the cruve.

No, but I did hit plateaus and veered off track and continue to do so and have to get back to basics on a regular basis. You may find some help in the following article Lap Band Surgery - Re-Booting To Get Off That Plateau Or Reverse That Set Back.

Staying in touch with your surgeon's office, having a plan for what you are going to eat, not drinking with meals, exercising, going to support group meetings - all of this helps me get back ont rack when I have strayed. Let me know if this helps please.

Sandi your awesome! Ive been banded and i to hope that someday i can share my story