Greetings fellow Bandsters,

I got a six year congratulations notice from the organizers of this site. It reminded me that I wanted to check back in with the community and talk about how wonderful this journey has been for me.

I was banded in November of 2005. It took me two years to shed the 100 lbs (seemed like forever), with all of the ups and downs. I seemed like it took forever to hit the sweet spot with fills. I made a deal with myself that I didn't need to be a "perfect" bandster, just a very good one. If this is you--hang in there. This thing does work.

I ate all of my food, never touched any "beaker food" or scientifically engineered food. I decided not to drink anything with calories in it for the first year of being banded. I made it a priority to either be filled enough to be losing weight, or going in to fill, each month until I was where I wanted to be. I think many bandsters never get tight enough to really learn how to use this method well.

I reached goal, and made my appointment with my plastic surgeon. He did fantastic work getting rid of my extra belly skin.

Since then, I am living the dream I used to have when I was heavy. I wake up slender. My clothes are beautiful and they fit. I never need to pull anything down to make sure anything is covered up. I am no longer self-conscious about how I look--I know I look good. I went from a size 18-20 to a size 4. I never believed I was a small person until after my plastic surgery--I have large bones and nice muscle (many formerly fat people do!) and not much else. When I look at my body in the mirror, I really like what I see.

Now that I know people who never knew me heavy, I am careful to represent my former fat community with respect for us all and the struggles we have endured. Yes, I have learned that many thin people sit around congratulating themselves for their wonderful self-discipline and judging others--and I tell them how really lucky they are to have been born thin.

Many doctors dont "get" the band. I am an executive in Health Care, so I meet many. They often explain to me that banding doesn't work, people "gain it back", yada yada. Then I tell them that I am a bandster, 100 pounds more than five years ago, never gained it back and they are shocked. They are probably surrounded by successful bandsters who, after learning to use the tool, don't talk about it all of the time--"did you know I used to be heavy" just doesn't come up in every conversation.

For me, I gained a huge amount of time not "navigating" being fat. I don't worry about how I look. I don't worry about what people think when I am eating. People automatically assume that I am as intelligent as I am. I fit in any airline seat comfortably, even the middle. I pull on wetsuits to go diving never worrying about if it will fit. If I ever try on anything that doesn't fit--the salespeople, and I assume that the product is not cut for me, not that there is anything wrong with my proportions. I am not out of breath walking up a mountainside, and I am as strong as I was when I was fat (most of us fatties are REALLY strong from carrying ourselves around.) I feel like I have averted the blood pressure and diabetes problems that run in my family. I get a lot of attention from men who say I am attractive. Since I lived my whole life up to six years ago not relying on my personal beauty for my inner peace, I think that is just a bonus. It is fun not to feel I want to avoid having my picture taken.

I have learned that if my band is too loose, I gain weight. I allow a ten pound max swing upwards before I go in to get my band filled. Then, gradually I get back to goal by cutting out a few extras like crackers and cheese, caloric beverages and the like. I have never missed fast food--it doesn't stand up to being chewed 20 times. Now, it's high quality or I don't bother eating or drinking it. There is nothing I don't eat, I just can't each much of it. I have cycled back down to goal three times so--I think I know how to do this the rest of my life. People used to say that it wasn't about dieting, it was about lifestyle changes, but for me before the band, it was about self-denial and dieting. After the band took the edge off my hunger and helped me understand portion control, it IS about lifestyle changes.

My only regret is that banding didn't exist when I was in my twenties--still getting past obesity at 45 was better than even later--although even that is possible.

All my best to all of the newer or wanna be bandsters out there--there is joy at this end of the road.

Chris

Yes, thanks for your story. You told it well. My experiences are basically the same but I am only 2.5 years out. I love my life and my band.

Very cool - Going to be a long road - but I am so happy to hear how much you enjoy it. I am 49 years old and really looking forward to the whole sitting comfortable in an airline seat thing! I can't look at someone in the eye when I go to sit next to them...I just know they are cursing their misfortune!

Thank you for sharing Chris.

cheri

Chris,

your post was incredible articulate, and I can relate to so much of it. I'm just 3.5 years out and I intend to have this band continue to help me maintain my weight for years to come.

I hope every bandster reads your post.

thank you for sharing your wonderful story! it is so good to hear from someone with history.

love that you haven't forgotten where you came from!

Your story is very inspirational, but I don't see any pics of you. I'm a "show me" type person!! I HAVE TO SEE IT TO BELIEVE IT!!!

I agree with Mrsbrown! Lets see your pix!!!!!!!!!!!! Soo interested!!

I so needed to read your story at this time! I've been stalled for a while, but I try to keep looking ahead and staying positive. I think it will take me a full 2 years to hit my goal, so it's nice to hear from someone who did it the same way. Thanks for sharing!

I haven't checked in for a while and your story was very inspirational. I was banded March 22, 2011, I weighed 233 on my surgery day and I now weigh 161. I love my band and I am so glad to know that it's possible to maintain this lifestyle. If you are still doing it 6 yrs out I know I can. You are very inspiring!!!

Wow !!!! What a post, I am inspired xxxx

WOW 6 years! I'm 4 years and love it! People do not realize that it takes hard work after the first 50lbs. Nurses tell me all the time wow you lost 130 lbs...."that just does not happen with lap band" they tell me. It is not a quick fix or miracle but with work you can do it. The one thing I noticed is I was so ready to lose weight but once it was gone it was difficult. I was fat and yes i use the word fat because I was. One day at work I walk by a full length mirror and just start crying and crying..... the fat girl was gone and I missed her. Not today I'm glad she is gone but when you are fat all your life that is who you are and it is difficult to let go. Still today I miss her a little but love my size 7 jeans!

I'm just 3 years post banding. I have lost 9 stone (154lbs) and am very happy. It's not an easy fix, it's hard work but so worthwhile. It's do nice to be connected to others who have been through the same as me. Am I the only person from England on here?? Be interesting to see how treatment differs.

Thanks for sharing, really enjoyed reading your post!

4 years later I have kept off 125 pounds.it was easy in the beginning and getting harder but I will do anything to keep it off including daily exercise and a low calorie diet most days. I will never go back to my former weight.

Greetings fellow Bandsters' date='

I got a six year congratulations notice from the organizers of this site. It reminded me that I wanted to check back in with the community and talk about how wonderful this journey has been for me.

I was banded in November of 2005. It took me two years to shed the 100 lbs (seemed like forever), with all of the ups and downs. I seemed like it took forever to hit the sweet spot with fills. I made a deal with myself that I didn't need to be a "perfect" bandster, just a very good one. If this is you--hang in there. This thing does work.

I ate all of my food, never touched any "beaker food" or scientifically engineered food. I decided not to drink anything with calories in it for the first year of being banded. I made it a priority to either be filled enough to be losing weight, or going in to fill, each month until I was where I wanted to be. I think many bandsters never get tight enough to really learn how to use this method well.

I reached goal, and made my appointment with my plastic surgeon. He did fantastic work getting rid of my extra belly skin.

Since then, I am living the dream I used to have when I was heavy. I wake up slender. My clothes are beautiful and they fit. I never need to pull anything down to make sure anything is covered up. I am no longer self-conscious about how I look--I know I look good. I went from a size 18-20 to a size 4. I never believed I was a small person until after my plastic surgery--I have large bones and nice muscle (many formerly fat people do!) and not much else. When I look at my body in the mirror, I really like what I see.

Now that I know people who never knew me heavy, I am careful to represent my former fat community with respect for us all and the struggles we have endured. Yes, I have learned that many thin people sit around congratulating themselves for their wonderful self-discipline and judging others--and I tell them how really lucky they are to have been born thin.

Many doctors dont "get" the band. I am an executive in Health Care, so I meet many. They often explain to me that banding doesn't work, people "gain it back", yada yada. Then I tell them that I am a bandster, 100 pounds more than five years ago, never gained it back and they are shocked. They are probably surrounded by successful bandsters who, after learning to use the tool, don't talk about it all of the time--"did you know I used to be heavy" just doesn't come up in every conversation.

For me, I gained a huge amount of time not "navigating" being fat. I don't worry about how I look. I don't worry about what people think when I am eating. People automatically assume that I am as intelligent as I am. I fit in any airline seat comfortably, even the middle. I pull on wetsuits to go diving never worrying about if it will fit. If I ever try on anything that doesn't fit--the salespeople, and I assume that the product is not cut for me, not that there is anything wrong with my proportions. I am not out of breath walking up a mountainside, and I am as strong as I was when I was fat (most of us fatties are REALLY strong from carrying ourselves around.) I feel like I have averted the blood pressure and diabetes problems that run in my family. I get a lot of attention from men who say I am attractive. Since I lived my whole life up to six years ago not relying on my personal beauty for my inner peace, I think that is just a bonus. It is fun not to feel I want to avoid having my picture taken.

I have learned that if my band is too loose, I gain weight. I allow a ten pound max swing upwards before I go in to get my band filled. Then, gradually I get back to goal by cutting out a few extras like crackers and cheese, caloric beverages and the like. I have never missed fast food--it doesn't stand up to being chewed 20 times. Now, it's high quality or I don't bother eating or drinking it. There is nothing I don't eat, I just can't each much of it. I have cycled back down to goal three times so--I think I know how to do this the rest of my life. People used to say that it wasn't about dieting, it was about lifestyle changes, but for me before the band, it was about self-denial and dieting. After the band took the edge off my hunger and helped me understand portion control, it IS about lifestyle changes.

My only regret is that banding didn't exist when I was in my twenties--still getting past obesity at 45 was better than even later--although even that is possible.

All my best to all of the newer or wanna be bandsters out there--there is joy at this end of the road.

Chris[/quote']

This is great to hear. I just met someone yesterday who is 6 years out and is still successful. I plan to be one of those stories in 5 years. That is why I am having this surgery, for long term success. I have lost significant amounts of weight before, but always gain it back. So I looking for this to help learn consistency during the time when I have restriction.