Hi:

Over Five Years out and Passionate about sharing success and helping

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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, you're a great example to follow........keeps us motivated to continue working hard in our weight loss journey. thanks for sharing your ideas.

Just because I'm 6 years out doesn't mean I don't look to others for support as well. I'd love to keep this conversation going as I have issues pop up daily reminding me I can be a "serial eater" any time I stop following the rules of the band.

You Look wonderful...Can`t wait to start my journey...

You Look wonderful...Can`t wait to start my journey...

Hi Maj: Do you have your surgery date yet? How exciting! I can not believe that my days are 20 hours long now and I look to sleep only to rejuvenate myself for another full day. It's an awesome feeling compared to lumbering through my days dragging every year and every pound (or kilo) with me every where I go. You are doing the best thing for yourself! Did you sign up to receive my newsletter and my 7 tips at my blog : Sandi's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story ? If not, you might find some useful information as you prepare for your surgery date. If you drop me an email or a pM I'll advance you a copy (send you the link) for 7 tips for preparing for gastric banding surgery. Stay in touch and let us know your surgery date so all of us on this forum can be with you on your journey of transformation. good luck

Hi Maj: Do you have your surgery date yet?

No Not yet ..I am just at the baby stage ..saw my doctor today for the referal, she was pleased I had finally taken the step..I had mentioned it to her about 18months agai but tried yet another time to DO IT MYSELF....unsuccessfully of course Now with a further 10 kilos of weight I have had enough ..I need to do something or I will end up in hospital having heart surgery for sure......I am so unfit , sore knees hinder my walking , I will NOT be seen in a swimsuit so Water arobics are out..I hope with some weight loss walking will be my means of excersize , I do have a airwalker which doesn`t hurt my knees so thats it for now....I see the specialist Monday afternoon 3.30pm after an hour with the dietitian....I will know more then , not sure if he will want me to have more tests or if he will get me booked in asap (I hope so) There is only about a 6 to 8 weeks waiting list at the moment and I know he likes patients to go on a 2 week Optifast diet before the operation...I have read your blog and have found it very helpful ..I can`t believe how amazing you look and how much you lost ...Great Job....Off to bed downunder ..Chat again..Marion

No Not yet ..I am just at the baby stage ..saw my doctor today for the referal, she was pleased I had finally taken the step..I had mentioned it to her about 18months agai but tried yet another time to DO IT MYSELF....unsuccessfully of course Now with a further 10 kilos of weight I have had enough ..I need to do something or I will end up in hospital having heart surgery for sure......I am so unfit , sore knees hinder my walking , I will NOT be seen in a swimsuit so water arobics are out..I hope with some weight loss walking will be my means of excersize , I do have a airwalker which doesn`t hurt my knees so thats it for now....I see the specialist Monday afternoon 3.30pm after an hour with the dietitian....I will know more then , not sure if he will want me to have more tests or if he will get me booked in asap (I hope so) There is only about a 6 to 8 weeks waiting list at the moment and I know he likes patients to go on a 2 week optifast diet before the operation...I have read your blog and have found it very helpful ..I can`t believe how amazing you look and how much you lost ...Great Job....Off to bed downunder ..Chat again..Marion

Thansk for the kind words...again..You are definitely ,moving in the right direction and I bet you will walk some after surgery then get the courage to do some work int he water since it is so easy on your knees- then more walking..it's amazing as you start losing and you start feeling better about everything how many things you will do that you said were definite NO's. aomehow I found the courage to get into a swimsuit and start swimming laps at over 300 lbs - it was because I had already lost 100 lbs, and decided if anybody didn't like what they saw THEY could turn their head because I needed to swim for my health! When you look after yourself lots of good things follow. Stay in touch and let me know as your surgery gets scheduled.

I've always wanted to visit Australia- what city are you in? LOL

Sandi

I am In "Lake Macquarie" its 2 hours north of Sydney on the expressway...

Booked into the Hospital today... Off to see the Anethesiologist Friday ...still nervouse but feeling a bit better , not feeling to hungry on the Optifast Diet..I hope my Op go`s smoothly with no problems..

Just bought the list of stuff the dietitian gave me for when I get home ...I have work to do Monday (wages and accounts) want to have all the work up to date, Tuesday I want to give the house a good clean top to bottom WEDNESDAY is the Day, its coming fast , too much to do no time to be second guessing my decission....

Nighty Night time to catch some Zzzzzzzzzzz`s

I am In "Lake Macquarie" its 2 hours north of Sydney on the expressway...

Booked into the Hospital today... Off to see the Anethesiologist Friday ...still nervouse but feeling a bit better , not feeling to hungry on the Optifast Diet..I hope my Op go`s smoothly with no problems..

Just bought the list of stuff the dietitian gave me for when I get home ...I have work to do Monday (wages and accounts) want to have all the work up to date, Tuesday I want to give the house a good clean top to bottom WEDNESDAY is the Day, its coming fast , too much to do no time to be second guessing my decission....

Nighty Night time to catch some Zzzzzzzzzzz`s

OK- so you had your surgery day...Now let us all know how you're doing. Welcome to our world and the first day of the rest of your life!

Sandi

No I went and made my booking for 24th Next wednesday ...I wish it was all over and done with though.... :thumbdown:

No I went and made my booking for 24th Next wednesday ...I wish it was all over and done with though.... :thumbdown:

It will be soon enough!

Hi all:

It's Sandi and I'm currently on vacation and really getting to enjoy my new life. I just realized that the beautiful robe in the hotel room closet actually fits me, and I can walk on the beach FOREVER. This just gets more rewarding day in and day out, even though I still struggle daily with food choices- especially on vacation away from my regular routine. I have my husband "trained' to allow me to order an appetizer for dinner (like shrimp cocktail or tuna tartare or ceviche), but when I am done and there is still food on the plate- delicious food that I didn't have to prepare- I have an argument with myself and either give it to my husband, or have to do something to "ruin" it so that I will stop eating. It's amazing that the need to "finish everything on my plate" has not yet gone away after almost 6 years of working with this tool. I guess it is first, foremost, and always about portion control and choices. I'd be interested in other opinions.

Sandi Have a wonderful vacation.. my journey has just started.....

I just went and re read your blog, you are amazing ...

Have Fun and enjoy yourself .....

Marion

Sandi Have a wonderful vacation.. my journey has just started.....

I just went and re read your blog, you are amazing ...

Have Fun and enjoy yourself .....

Marion

Thanks- You know where to find me- You are NEVER alone on this journey!