Today, Jan 31, marks having the band for 1 year!

It is the BEST decision I could have ever made for myself, and my family.

I have tried every diet under the sun, and failed miserably at every one. It took surgery, having a band wrapped around my upper stomach,

to prevent me from overeating ever again! IT IS NOT A DIET!

I take exception to those that say it is "Only a Tool"

A tool is something "I USE", something that I can control, whether it be a lot or not at all.

But the Band is something I have No Control over! IT CONTROLS ME! If anything, I have become the tool the band uses!

It controls how much I can eat! it controls my hunger! The only thing I need to do is make wise food choices, drink my Water, and excercise.

HOW HARD IS THAT?

I used to have to stop from overeating. Now I have to remind myself I HAVE to eat!

After the first few moinths of Bandster Hell, that everyone here experiences, it became the easiest weight loss experience there can be!

Living in the "Green Zone" has become an every day common experience where I do not even think about it all that much. I definitley do not think about

Loosing weight. It happens now all by itself.

And yes, I love my band tight! to me it is all about restriction.

Below are my before and after photo's. The before shot was taken at Christmas 13 months ago, one month before surgery.

The after shot was taken a few days ago.

Congrats! You look amazing! I'm so happy for you and your family. I'm new to this and really want the lap band. My fertility dr. advises me not to go through it and to do the gastric bypass. My dr. here is good with my decision. I've done a lot of research and I would rather go with the lap band. What made you choose the lap band? how many fills have you had? any complications? please do tell..

well happy bandiversary my journey starts today getting ready to go to the hospital now congrats on your wonderful results,hope i get half of that.....

Wow im almost two weeks since I was banded and boy are you some inspiration.

Ylook amazing and years younger. Well done How mucg have you lost in a year ?

You look wonderful and much younger! Thank you all of your wisdom and humor on this site I have found it very helpful. Good luck on the rest of your journey.

gratz on the bandiversary and the weight loss ... awesome pics .. looks like us Jan 2011 bandsters did well

Congratulations! You look great!

Actually, you look healthy and younger! You are an inspiration!

Fantastic news! You look great. Got me wondering what my bandversary will look like (8 months from now)...hopefully as good as yours!

Thanks for sharing those pictures, you look great! Congratulations!

Thanks for sharing those pictures, you look great! Congratulations!

You look GREAT! Congrats! I hope I can be as successful as you have been!

You look wonderful and much younger! Thank you all of your wisdom and humor on this site I have found it very helpful. Good luck on the rest of your journey.

Thank You. I appreciate it.

Congratulations on your success, B-52! Your photos are amazing! I appreciate the insight, wisdom, and encouragement you provide at this site and when you attain your goal, I am hopeful you will stick around here and continue to share your thoughts. Best wishes for continued success!

AWESOME! GREAT JOB!

Congrats on your current and continued success!

Thank you, Thank you and thank you also.