So, today is my 4th Bandiversary. I cannot believe four years have gone by so quickly. I've had no complications. I keep up with my Vitamins. I see my surgeon about once a year to check on everything. My blood pressure is normal, my cholesterol is normal, my blood sugar is normal, my BMI is normal, yay!!!

I have to say this has been the easiest weight loss/maintenance plan I've ever been on. Even with the stuck episodes. You need to keep a sense of humor with you for times of stuckage.

I lost 70 lbs in the first two years and I've kept it off for two years with hardly any work.

I love my band. I am concerned about keeping it with me for the rest of my life. It IS an implanted device after-all. So, that's why I see my surgeon annually. My primary care doc checks my Vitamin levels.

Life is pretty darned good. My DH got me flowers today to Celebrate, what a sweetie.

Congrats on your 4th bandiversary!

Congratulations Denise!!! That is fantastic!

Congratulations! I hope to have a similar story to tell one of these days.

Congrats on your 4 year bandiversary!!!! That's awesome, I'm so happy for you!!!

Wow! My heroine! I want to be as successful as you. I am 2 1/2 years in, and yoyoing with 10 lbs. I have met goal but staying in maintenace is tough. I am proud of the fact that you did and are! Karen

gratz on the 4 yrs

Congratulations! I fluctuate a little more than you describe and exercise like a maniac to maintain. Your regimen sounds a little more reaosnable! Out of curiousity, how tight do you keep your band? What has your fill story been for the past couple years? Regardless, it's a major accomplishment. The flowers were much deserved!

Congrats Denise.I love hearing from people that have been successful and are happy with their bands.

Congratulations Denise! It is nice to hear success stories like yours. You look awesome! love the before and after pix on your profile.

Way to go! I never thought being so "normal" would sound so appealing!

FANTASTIC!!! very good to hear stories of people banded 2+ years (rare on this site). Long term information is badly needed. You should be very proud of your accomplishments and I wish you continued success on your journey!!!!!

Way to go congratulations!

Congratulations! I fluctuate a little more than you describe and exercise like a maniac to maintain. Your regimen sounds a little more reaosnable! Out of curiousity, how tight do you keep your band? What has your fill story been for the past couple years? Regardless, it's a major accomplishment. The flowers were much deserved!

Hi There!

I think I have about 6.75cc in my band which is an AP Standard 10cc. Of course, the cc level doesn't mean a whole lot, it depends on our anatomy.

I eat about 1500-1700 calories a day. That keeps me at my current weight quite easily. If I gain a bit, I cut down.

Over the last two years I've had two fills, each was 1/4 cc. Just tiny to top-off. My surgeon says that somehow or other a teensy bit of Fluid can leave the band..he has a term for it, but my memory escapes me now. The last 1/4 cc made a HUGE difference.

My banded philosphy was simple, and YMMV. I eat to my appetite. When I reach satiety (NOT FULL) I am done. If I feel hungry between meals, I examine if it is true hunger. My test is: Would I eat green Beans right now? If the answer is yes, then I am hungry. I'll eat. If no I want chips or chocolate, it isn't real hunger, I'll wait. A typical meal would be 2-3 oz of meat, a veggie side dish and some sort of starch in a small amount. Or a half sandwich that might be deconstructed from the bread to eat the filling and a few bites of bread.

If I actually exercised with regularity, I could lose more. But I know myself, and I wanted my banded life to be as normal as I could make it, and be something I can live with forever. I am not a gym rat. I am more active than I used to be. I have arthritis in one knee and both hips. The damage is done, but movement hurts less than it used to.

Each year we go camping near a town in the Central California Coast. It's about a half-mile walk into town. In the old days, I'd drive in. Now, I don't even think about it, I walk in every day we are there.

I am thankful for small changes like that.

Coco what a lovely husband! I too am almost 4 years...my DH is very proud of me too and likes having a "sexy" wife at 52 yrs old. I'm far from sexy but I'm a good weight for me. I lost 50 lbs and fit into size 12/14 skinny jeans and practice yoga 3x a week and try to get walking the dog. At this age being 200 lbs at age 52 isn't a bad thing infact weight is no longer an obsession that is the real miracle.

Congratulations Denise! Thanks for continuing to support those of us still on our journey.