Hi:

My name is Sandi and I was banded in May2004. I started my journey at 424 pounds and 55 years old.

Every day is exciting as I discover more and more of my new found abilities since I have lost 250 pounds. I am starting to believe that there is nothing I can not do.

I am a new person and I want to share all the little secrets and tips I have picked up along the way. I am offerring to mentor anyone who needs a friend to ask questions, hold their hand, provide factual information when emotions get in the way of good choices and generally just be there to listen to what you are currently encountering on your journey.

I am so passionate about sharing the wonder and the zest for life that I have achieved that I have started a blog at:

http://www.sandisbandedliving.com

I write about my journey from day one of exploring (looking into this miracle they call gastric banding surgery), through surgery, transforming (my weight loss journey) to today, maintaining a 250 pound weight loss and living my new life.

Each and every day provides an amazing gift. I am passionate about sharing those gifts with all who will listen.

Edited February 5, 201016 yr by sandi2004
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WOW!!! Congrats :sifone:

Dear Sandi,

I can't quite find the words to express the joy I feel for you in your amazing success!!

I am year out, 100 lbs down (40 to go) and am stuck on a 3-month plateau. Going for another fill today, after being too tight, getting a complete unfill, filled back past good restriction to too tight AGAIN, complete unfill AGAIN--this will be my second fill since this last unfill. Struggling to get back to the sweet spot. I've been very dedicated in my exercise routine, but have definitely fallen away from the basic rules of eating. I'm trying to process why this is. Partly it was the problem with keeping food down, I would think, it's probably going to come back up anyway, why not just eat something I really like/want? Foolish, I know. I was fearful to get an unfill for awhile, finally gave in and am so glad I did, as my pouch was inflammed and I was on the road to some severe problems.

But more than that, it's been almost like, as soon as people started noticing my weight loss and saying how good I looked, I kind of panicked and felt "exposed." I didn't want my friends/family to see how my eating had changed, I wanted to just be "normal" and do what everyone else around me was doing. Even writing this I'm not sure that I'm expressing the feeling/impulse accurately, but it's like I reached a point where I no longer feel that everyone stares at me thinking "what a fat woman" that I want to just "blend in" with everyone else, not be seen as vain or obsessed with being thin.

Does this make any sense? I realize I just went on a ramble, and am tempted to just delete and not post, but I am so inspired by your success and journey, I'd be grateful just to hear your thoughts.

Thanks for listening.

Val

I am so glad that you did not delete this post. It is great! Just know that every morning I wake up and expect to find a 400+ pound woman in bed and when I realize that I haven't gained all my weight back overnight I am thrilled! Talk about stupid! I can't believe I just went public with that thought but if it helps you or someone else, it is definitely worth sharing.

So the bottom line here is that it is not unusual to NOT want to be judged, to want be and feel and act normal. After failing however many times we did (and for me it was more than I care to remember) we are hesitant to believe in this weight loss being permanent. Guess what? It is and will be as long as you continue with the good choices You have a tool that will help you. It's time to get back to basics for you as you get your band back to that sweet spot. Why don't you work on planning all of your meals and snacks for a week- carry food and water with you wherever you go, and use this opportunity to start journaling again. Please continue to reach out for support. I know you will get the other 40 off and then you will still have to work to feel "normal". It takes some time and adjustment to be comfortable in your new body.

If you haven't already, please take a look at my blog at: www.sandisbandedliving.com and you will get to share some of what my journey was like.

Best of luck to you.

Stay in touch.

That is amazing. I was banded Jan25th. I now have lost 12 lbs. I am not scheduled for a fill until March 18th. Everything I have been reading on this website shows most people getting banded very quickly after surgery. My Dr. is conservative, and does not band for two months. I am doing ok. I eat everything, and have never had to throw up. I try to stay at 1100 calories. The only exercise I do is walk. He said I could ride a bicycle also. I am excited about this, but I am afraid of losing and gaining. I have been a yoyo dieter forever. I would like to have you as a mentor.

Sbausone in Texas

Hi Sandy, wow, what a great sucess story. Bravo! that's inspirational for all of us. I definitely could use a buddy/mentor, I was banded in March of 08 & have had very slow weight loss. I am down 40 pounds & not feeling very motivated. I would so appreciate any tips, advice, encouragement!!! I have recently moved & have no social support yet....Thanks!!!

Hi Sandy, wow, what a great sucess story. Bravo! that's inspirational for all of us. I definitely could use a buddy/mentor, I was banded in March of 08 & have had very slow weight loss. I am down 40 pounds & not feeling very motivated. I would so appreciate any tips, advice, encouragement!!! I have recently moved & have no social support yet....Thanks!!!

So you lost 40 pounds and are ready to kick start some more weight loss? I'll be all the support I can and help you along the way. OK- I know moving cuts into your outside support, but see if there is a lapband support group anywhere around you? (BTW- where is that?) And go back to basics- take a look at my blog (especially the maintaining post about after the holidays 2009 - written 12/26/09) - You can find it at :

Sandi's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story

If you think it will be useful, I post at least opnce a week and have alot more to put up there. I just started it the beginning of this month. Sign up for the updates- leave your name and email address on the right side of the page where it asks for it.

Let me know what you think of it, and let's talk about you getting back to basics..

So you lost 40 pounds and are ready to kick start some more weight loss? I'll be all the support I can and help you along the way. OK- I know moving cuts into your outside support, but see if there is a lapband support group anywhere around you? (BTW- where is that?) And go back to basics- take a look at my blog (especially the maintaining post about after the holidays 2009 - written 12/26/09) - You can find it at :

Sandi's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story

If you think it will be useful, I post at least opnce a week and have alot more to put up there. I just started it the beginning of this month. Sign up for the updates- leave your name and email address on the right side of the page where it asks for it.

Let me know what you think of it, and let's talk about you getting back to basics..

Sandy, I did read your blog & I was glad to read something from someone my age. I have younger friends that have had great success with the lap band & I was afraid that my age was hindering me. I have another friend who is our age that is having similar issues to mine. I have been somewhat frustrated by the availability of support groups here in Kansas City,( I expected that in the small town where I moved from, but not in such a large urban area) There are a couple that I have been able to find, but only meet once a month. I would like to go, but haven't yet. I am just puzzled that the bariatric surgery centers aren't more proactive in promoting support groups & classes for after the surgery, it is such a drastic lifestyle change, no one can go it alone.( Food addicts need love too, right? LOL!) I am actually kind of dissappointed in that. I think your website is great & thanks again. Nancy

Hi sandi,

i need all the help i can get. I have gained 14lbs. In 2 months i was down 62 lbs with 37 to go.now @7.3ccs in my realize band.so depressed and angry @ myself

You lost 62 lbs. in 2 months? Wow, it's been 2 years for me & I have only lost 40 lbs. Try not to be discouraged.

Sandy, I did read your blog & I was glad to read something from someone my age. I have younger friends that have had great success with the LAP-BAND® & I was afraid that my age was hindering me. I have another friend who is our age that is having similar issues to mine. I have been somewhat frustrated by the availability of support groups here in Kansas City,( I expected that in the small town where I moved from, but not in such a large urban area) There are a couple that I have been able to find, but only meet once a month. I would like to go, but haven't yet. I am just puzzled that the bariatric surgery centers aren't more proactive in promoting support groups & classes for after the surgery, it is such a drastic lifestyle change, no one can go it alone.( Food addicts need love too, right? LOL!) I am actually kind of dissappointed in that. I think your website is great & thanks again. Nancy

Once a month is about all you will find. And no- it is not your age that is holding on to the weight. Like I said- back to basics- spend a week writing down everything you eat and drink- follow th ebasic rules of the band and then send me an email and we'll take a look at it together to see if I have any ideas. it's really important to go back to step one- no drinking with meals, protein first, no snacks or high fiber/high protein/low calorie snacks- start working the band again. You can only get out of it what you np[ut into it. What do you do for exercise? Lots of things we can cover to help you get back ont rack and I would really like to help you succeed. Think you can write down everything (including everything you drink) for a week?

Hi sandi,

i need all the help i can get. I have gained 14lbs. In 2 months i was down 62 lbs with 37 to go.now @7.3ccs in my realize band.so depressed and angry @ myself

So have you looked at what you have done differently that created the weight gain? I'd love to help, but it's you that needs to make the choices and the changes. Or, could you possibly need a fill? Are you eating around the band? A little more information would really be great so I can help you help yourself through this. OK?

Once a month is about all you will find. And no- it is not your age that is holding on to the weight. Like I said- back to basics- spend a week writing down everything you eat and drink- follow th ebasic rules of the band and then send me an email and we'll take a look at it together to see if I have any ideas. it's really important to go back to step one- no drinking with meals, protein first, no snacks or high fiber/high protein/low calorie snacks- start working the band again. You can only get out of it what you np[ut into it. What do you do for exercise? Lots of things we can cover to help you get back ont rack and I would really like to help you succeed. Think you can write down everything (including everything you drink) for a week?

I will start working on a food journal right away. Accountability is a huge issue for me. I am looking into a gym membership, the weather has been terrible here & I haven't really been able to get out & walk (great excuse, huh?) so not much in the way of exercise going on. Thanks ! Nancy

You lost 62 lbs. in 2 months? Wow, it's been 2 years for me & I have only lost 40 lbs. Try not to be discouraged.

OK- all of you- this is for anyone who has lost any weight at all with a band- CELEBRATE! Every pound you lose is important, and is success so revel in your success. Don't worry about what you haven't lost. Concentrate on what you did right to lose what you did, and repeat the behaviors- they are what works and you must have done something right to lose???? Keep working the positive angle and doing what works and you can keep losing weight.

Raise your glasses of Water in a toast to all of our success, past, present and future! Here, here! We can do it!

I will start working on a food journal right away. Accountability is a huge issue for me. I am looking into a gym membership, the weather has been terrible here & I haven't really been able to get out & walk (great excuse, huh?) so not much in the way of exercise going on. Thanks ! Nancy

Now we are starting to make some progress! Go find a gym that is not intimadating to go to. I avoided them for quite a while for that reason, but then I found a club that caters to families so it didn't seem like everyone was there to pick up their next date....but that's another whole story...I know gettinhg exercise in the winter in KC is tough, but I think you see that you have not been working the"tool" to the best advantage and the way to get great results is for you to do great work..

Get back to me with the food journal....and anything else.

Sandi

Now we are starting to make some progress! Go find a gym that is not intimadating to go to. I avoided them for quite a while for that reason, but then I found a club that caters to families so it didn't seem like everyone was there to pick up their next date....but that's another whole story...I know gettinhg exercise in the winter in KC is tough, but I think you see that you have not been working the"tool" to the best advantage and the way to get great results is for you to do great work..

Get back to me with the food journal....and anything else.

Sandi

I started working on my food journal this morning & found a free internet resource to use. It has a complete fitness log that tracks food, calories, weight & a graph that breaks down fat, carbs & protein. It's at www.fitday.com if anyone else would like to check it out....regards....hope all have a great day today!