My 2 year anniversary was the day after Thanksgiving and I really comtemplated about writing this post. I wasn't going to but then I thought about it......if others hadn't posted I wouldn't have known what to expect. So here I post not really knowing what to write but I am going to try my best to express what I feel now as opposed to 2 years ago.

When I first started researching the band I was actualy considering having the bypass done. A few co-workers had it done and I was thinking to myself "yea I'm gonna do that too!" Then I thought about my kids and about all the complications that went or could come along with it and I thought against it. Some how - by the grace of God - I found this website. Quite honestly prior to coming to this site I had never even heard of the band. It was when I got here that I realized this could be the alternative to the bypass and I couldn't do enough reading or get enough info on the procedure. One I realized what it oculd do I made the appointment and had the surgery done. 2 years ago it was the day before Thanksgiving and I had them schedule that day for a very specific reason. This surgery was going to give me a new lease on life and I was very thankful to be having it done.

The day of surgery I was 309.5 pounds and 33 years old. I could barely get out of bed because my knees hurt so bad. I hated shopping for clothes being a size 28 because nothing ever looked right on me and my favorite thing in the world to do was eat and eat some more. I would go to work and the first thing that came to mind was "what's for lunch?" I thought about food as much as I thought about my kids.

I'm a slow loser but I don't care anymore. In the beginning I doubted my own decision to have the band done thinking to myself why didn't I have the bypass done? Look at all the other people that did and they look great. I want this weight to come off NOW! That was when I had to really sit back and think to myself why I really had this surgery done. Did I want a quick fix or was I in this for the long run. I am now 192 pounds and I can't remember the last time I weighed this. I am smaller now than I was when I gave birth to my first born who is 16. It has been hard and for all of those people that knock the band and say it doesn't work......well they don't know what they are talking about.

During the course of the last 2 years I have discovered so much about myself that has probably always been there but I was just too scared to face. I left my husband after 13 years because - for as much as I loved him - I had to realize I loved myself more. I wasn't a door mat and I refused to be walked over any more. I was a human being and a beautiful person inside and out and damn it I deserved better than what he was giving me. Did the band make me realize all the problems that were there? Nope but it helped me come to grips with what was right in front of my face. It hurt to walk away but I would have been hurting even more if I would have stayed.

Another thing I realized were who my true friends were. It's weird but it was funny how many people were my friend but then when I started loosing weight they just stopped hanging around me or stopped asking me to go out. It seems as if they were jealous of me instead of being happy. I figured that the outside may have changed but ultimately the inside was still the same. All I can say it their loss!!

I also had to come to grips with my love of food. I loved food - especially pizza. Didn't matter what kind as long as it was edible. When I first got the band and was starting to try to get to the right level of restriction there were times when I would try to eat something and the band wouldn't allow it to happen. I would cry because damn it I WANTED it and I couldn't have it. That's when I knew that I really needed - once again - to reevaluate why I had this surgery.

One thing that I am proudest of is the fact that I have become more confident with myself. I have finally come to the realization that I am a beautiful woman. It's not the look of my face, the shape of my body or even the clothes that I wear - it's my heart. It's my personality - and well ok - the outside doesn't look bad either!! Every morning that I wake up and get dressed I look in the mirror and say hello to the sexy woman that stares back at me - thanks DeLarla for reminding!! I realized people perceive you for what you perceive yourself. If you think you aren't worthy then people will TREAT you as if you aren't worthy and let me tell you I AM worth it and so is each and every one of you on this board!!

Every day has been a struggle although each and every day it seems to be getting easier. I am lucky. I have had a picture perfect band. No major complications and the side effects that I have had were self inflicted. I know what I need to do but sometime I don't because, well to be honest, I'm not perfect. Would I change anything about the experiences that I've had or will have going into my 3rd year? Not in a million!!! I know I've rambled on and jumped from here to there but I hope everyone is able to understand what I'm saying. Thanks so much for taking the time to read my boring post!! Lots of love to you all!!

Carmen,

I can't thank you enough this morning for your wonderful and timely post.....I needed to hear something uplifting and positive today.

I am also thrilled to hear you say you have had no problems since you and I have the same surgeon!!!

Continued success, Carmen.

THANK YOU for this wonderful story Carmen!!! I am so happy for you. I think it should be a requirement for everyone to post on their anniversaries. We love to read them. They are so inspiring.

You are beautiful Carmen

Carmen this post came straight from your heart and into mine!!!! You have made me think that my 1 yr bandiversay is coming up and I better start putting my feelings and changes of my life into words !!!

Thanks for sharing and you have done an awsome job with your band. You keep moving forward with such a good outlook and you will continue to be an inspiration to us all!!!!! Bravo to you!!!!!

Carmen

thanks so much for this post, I am only 10 months post op, and I too would not change a thing about my experience with the band so far. I love my band and to date have lost 67 pounds. Its so nice to read such a positive post.

Well done

Gaynor

What an inspirational story!!! Thnak you for sharing your story with us...I know for myself I wish things would go quicker and I get frustrated because of the gastric bypass people but you have enlighted me and given me hope....Thanks again!!!....Cindy

Congratulations to you! I am so glad you took the time to write your story...it wasan't boring at all! It is important to us relative newbies to hear long-term success stories, too, and the details of how it was done. I think we are all pioneers in a way, and experience IS the best teacher! Thanks so much, Cindy

Being the new bandster that I am, I was very happy to read your post. I think it's very important to hear stories of the Long Term Banded. I was really starting to think that I may have made the wrong decision by getting the band. Seems everyone around here is having problems. To be honest with you, if I was new to this site and not banded yet, I don't think I would have made the same decision. I am happy with my band but it's the erosions and slippages that scare the Bejesus out of me. I only pray that someday I will be able to write a post about "the band I got several years ago."

Good luck to you and your continued success! And Thank You!

Your mom lost over 100lbs in three months?! Maybe I'm not reading it correctly.

No, you read it correctly. She has a lot of days when she does not feel well at all though.

Great post! This board is great about sharing all aspects of the band. The bad and the GOOD. You have done wonderful with your band and I am glad that all has gone relatively smooth. I am so thankful for getting the band vs. bypass (my first thought). My brain is coming to terms with my food issues, my body is able to lose the excess without starvation/malnutrition, and my soul is happy that I've done something for myself.

Carmen, what a wonderful and totally heartwarming post!! What a wonderful thing to read. Congratulations! :D

Hey bandsister! Thanks for checking in with us and giving us an update. You should be very proud of yourself. You are an inspiration!

Megan

Beautiful post Carmen... Thanks so much and congratulations on finding your beautiful self again. Your a very strong lady, stay that way.

HUGS !!!

Thank you so much for sharing your story (and it wasn't in the least bit boring!). Like kimberly6671, I am waiting to be banded in January and was really getting jittery with all the complications I was reading about. It's great to hear about the people who have not had difficulties from the band itself. We all have difficulties with food issues, and it was inspiring to read how you faced them and did what you needed to do. We all have a beautiful, sexy person inside, and I'm glad you found her again. Your post reminded me that this isn't a day by day decision...sometimes its minute by minute, but it can definitely be done.

Thanks again for sharing. You should be so proud of yourself. Continue the excellent work and give yourself a hug!

Emily

What a lift. Right now Im trying to understand my body. Its giving me messages that I have never heard before. I needed to be reminded that as in everything there needs to be a long term goal and perspective and a short one. Thanks. I would love to hear from more than just the two post I've seen in this thread from longterm bandsters. Anymore out there willing to share?