I started my journey at 320 pounds. I had fought a losing battle with weight for so long, I felt so completely beyond help, and I never thought I'd be a normal size again. After surgery, and the rush of weight loss that happens right away, I was suddenly in the 290s, and I've been in Twoderville ever since. I've worked my band as hard as I could, and worked myself in the process. One pound at a time, it's dropped lower and lower, and I started to think maybe I could get to a weight range where I felt more like the person I knew I wanted to be.

As I got closer to being out of the 200s, my anticipation grew more and more. Summer got in the way, and family visits, disruption to my daily routine, eating less well, and not getting to the gym as much as I wanted to - it seemed like my life was trying to prevent me from getting past that important milestone. My weight loss has been stalled the last month or so, and I've really had to apply a lot of effort to get back on track. This past week I've really forced myself, and I've worked harder than ever.

And today, I made it! I am now at 199 pounds as of this morning, which officially puts me in Onederland! And I want everyone to know this is a fantastic place to be! I'm absolutely beside myself (or I would be, if there was enough of me left to go around... )

For you newbies just starting your journey, or those who are questioning whether getting banded was a good choice for you, let me reassure you: This is all TOTALLY worth it! NSVs are great, but sometimes a SV is even better!

Dave, happier than he's been in a very, very long time.

That is totally awesome...I can not wait until I get to onderland. 27 more pounds to go!!! Congrats on all your hard work!

Yay! Congrats, Dave. I know that you have worked hard to do this. My own son, is working at it, now. He had his surgery on Aug. 5. He is going for his 1st fill on Wed. He has lost 40 lbs since surgery, but now the losses are slowing. He is quite happy; but, he has 50 lbs to go to be in onederland, and another 20 to go before he is at goal. Good luck to you and to my son, also. Karen

congrats Dave! I hit wonderland on Monday and it is great, something a lot of us work towards. For me it has been 25 years since I have been here, funny how my oldest son is that age! Enjoy your new numbers and good luck on finishing your goal.

Dave, this is wonderful news! Your posts are an inspiration to me, and my heart is so glad to read about your progress. Wonderful job!

Yay for you, Dave! Congratulations

WTG Dave! That is awesome! Congrats!

Yay Dave!!!! I'm so happy for you!!!!!

Congratulations Dave! I was hoping to be there myself, but I still have 30 pounds to go. My 1 year "bandiversary" is Sept. 30 and I wanted to be there, but that's okay I know I WILL get there!

Any strategies that helped you would be appreciated! Again, I'm very happy for your hard-earned success.

:bananajump: Congratulations!!! I will be joing you soon, I have 8 more pounds to go myself! :bananapowerslide:

Dave, you are the man!!!! You haven't hit your 1st anniversary and have come so far!!! Congrats to you. And im sure that you will be at your goal in no time at all.

That is great! Your posts have encouraged and helped me a lot. I am so happy for you! Hope to join you some day.

Congratulations Dave! I must agree with everyone you are always so nice, and your post uplifting!!

Cheri

I started my journey at 320 pounds. I had fought a losing battle with weight for so long, I felt so completely beyond help, and I never thought I'd be a normal size again. After surgery, and the rush of weight loss that happens right away, I was suddenly in the 290s, and I've been in Twoderville ever since. I've worked my band as hard as I could, and worked myself in the process. One pound at a time, it's dropped lower and lower, and I started to think maybe I could get to a weight range where I felt more like the person I knew I wanted to be.

As I got closer to being out of the 200s, my anticipation grew more and more. Summer got in the way, and family visits, disruption to my daily routine, eating less well, and not getting to the gym as much as I wanted to - it seemed like my life was trying to prevent me from getting past that important milestone. My weight loss has been stalled the last month or so, and I've really had to apply a lot of effort to get back on track. This past week I've really forced myself, and I've worked harder than ever.

And today, I made it! I am now at 199 pounds as of this morning, which officially puts me in Onederland! And I want everyone to know this is a fantastic place to be! I'm absolutely beside myself (or I would be, if there was enough of me left to go around... )

For you newbies just starting your journey, or those who are questioning whether getting banded was a good choice for you, let me reassure you: This is all TOTALLY worth it! NSVs are great, but sometimes a SV is even better!

Dave, happier than he's been in a very, very long time.

I'm so happy for you Dave! Congrats! The Hell with Disney World! Onderland is the happiest place on Earth!

Thanks, everyone! I really appreciate the kind words. All of you make this place a really great place to visit, and I'm happy to contribute when I can.

I have a 9-month Follow-up Group appointment at my surgeon's office in a few days. It's been six months since I've seen the other folks who were banded around the time I was. Last time, they got all snotty towards me because I'd lost more weight than they had. That was more than 65 pounds ago. I'm REALLY curious to see if anything has changed for them, and what choice words they'll have to say about my results since then. Yikes!

Dave

What a great success!! Congrats to you!! You reaffirm my belief that nothing is impossible and it's never too late to dream big (or small in your case)!!