Yesterday 1/11/12 was on my year bandiversary. I can't believe how fast one year went by. I have been so fortunate not to have had any complications and I truly feel like a new person. I'm 100% thrilled with my band and would do it again in a heartbeat. Now, I gotta say, I thought I'd be at my goal weight because I saw so many posts before I had surgery where people lost 70-100 lbs in the first year. However, I was a slow loser prior to having surgery and that seems to still be the case. It does take a while to get to the right amount of restriction, figure out just how much food you need (way less that I had in my mind) and figuring out exercise, etc. According to my scale at home, I'm down 42 lbs which is a huge success. My blood pressure is normal, my blood sugar is normal, my triglycerides are improved as well as cholesterol. I'm one of those genetic freaks that makes more cholesterol that the average person so I'm still on a statin to keep my total cholesterol in check. My goal is to lose another 40 lbs in 2012 and be at my goal weight by this time next year. I love this website for hearing other stories and give a piece of advise or two along the way. Thanks for letting me share!

Congrats to you! I'm over 2 yrs out and still have about 14 lbs left to lose. I'm at my docs 1st goal for me (which was 150) but I want to get to 135. I'm glad to hear someone else thats taking their time to lose. It also took me about 5 mths to get to "my spot" where I was consistently losing.

Keep up the good work! Happy New Year to you!@

Marci

Congrats.....I will be one year at the end of the month.

I have no regrets either, nothing but compliments!

My weight loss has slowed waaaayyyyy down, maybe 1-2 lbs a month? For the last 3 months?

I have my therories, but I see the Dr. in Feb. and we'll see what he thinks. I may need a very small fill since I have not had one since last May.

Wow Jan 6, 2012 was my one year too!! I am just like you and have lost about 40 lbs myself and thought I would have been down more. I am just now at my sweet spot so I'm hoping to start losing again. I don't eat much so I don't understand why it's not coming off. I just take it one day at a time and pray I will be successful. It is disappointing to read all the stories about how much people loss in a year, but I realize everyone is different. I know I'll get there and I'm keeping the faith. It is nice to hear that there are others like me. Thanks and best of luck to you!!

i was just banded a month ago. i hope i can be at least down 40 lbs by next christmas. im ok if i lose slowly, but do you mind sharing some advice ? do you feel you followed the drs rule pretty well, or did you cheat alot ? what do you wish you could change if you could concerning this last year ? did you exerercise much ? any advice for us newbies ? thanks and heres hoping you have a successful 2011 ! !! you're awesome !!!

Pink Dahlia,

For me personalty it took like it seemed a long time to get to that sweet spot as it is called. You will know when you are there because it will start to hurt if you eat to fast, to much at one time. Just take your time eating and listen to the band the first time you get the feeling that it might be to much stop! I will say for me it is hard to stick to it as far as how much protein, water that they want you to consume in a day. I haven't been active like I should that darn Face book has sucked my in So that is my goal this year is to get off my butt. My husband and I both done it at the same time and it's been about the same for him as well. Our Dr gave us very small fills this last year, so we have been able to eat pretty much whatever we wanted up until now that we are at our sweet spot. So now it learning to listen to it and working with it. I do try and eat my protein first before anything else and sometimes that's all I can get down. Sometimes think I'm not getting enough calories and that can make you not lose as well. Let's face it if we exercise, counted our calories, and logged everything we wouldn't have done the lap band. I do not regret doing it and I'd do it again and I'm thankful that it is helping me to achieve my goal to be lighter and healthier. Several people I know have done the lap band and the first year was a slow process for them by the 2nd year they started losing so I'm excited and this is my year to lose 30 more to meet my first goal! Good luck to you all!!!

It took me a while to get into the swing of things. i think that's why everyone refers to this as a journey. At the beginning, you're just so focused on the moment...what can I eat, what can't I eat, what if I get stuck, being hungry, etc. It's all such a learning curve. I stalled over the summer and wasn't losing even though I started doing Zumba 2-3 times a week. I haven't even averaged a pound a week so far but once I get to the end, I think it will. I'm losing more steadily the last few months.