It's hard to believe but I got my band 4 years ago. I am down between 75-80 pounds overall. (Of course I want to lose those extra 10-20-25 lbs, but if I just stay where I am, I am ok too.) I love my band and can't imagaine life without it.

In this time a lot of things have happened, as they always do. First, I had breast cancer, which came with chemo, a mastectomy, radiation, reconstruction etc. But through it all, I happily kept the band. I had only one hurdle with it though... after the mastectomy I had a wicked reaction to the anesthesia so after heaving for hours in the recovery room, the band was dislodged and I had to have a "revision." Unfortunately the next year I had another slip and another revision. I'm really quite careful now and am relieved that I am basically at the year mark and intact. I did have to have it loosened recently, then quickly gained 8 lbs, but am now back on the way down. It is distressing to regain but a relief to know that I can get back on track again, without too much damage done. So you can see life with a band is much like life itself, somewhat unpredictable and not a straight line of perfection. But the band is the tool that I feel has saved my life and self esteem. I am grateful for it every day. It gives me something that other people have, but I either don't have or lost along the way, an internal brake telling me that I'm full. It's that simple.

People who know ask what I miss... not much. Bagels? I had enough for a lifetime, but sometimes I'll pick at the outer crust. Steak? I can live without it. Lobster? Oh well... nothing is really a big deal. I feel I can eat a little of almost anything...

To those who are on the journey, good luck. Questions welcome, of course.

Thanks for the post! It is good to hear from longer term bandsters!

Congrats on your weight loss. Your story is very uplifting and you sound like a very strong person. I feel the same way although I have been banded only about 3 months now. I love it and I can eat a little of almost anything. I don't eat bread and don't drink anything except water and hot tea, and will never try steak, but I haven't had any problems. I don't know if that will change with fills, I only have 5cc's in now. My life has only gotten better, no more diabetes meds and much more energy, and even though I chose to eat the not best things once in awhile I am constantly thinking about what I am eating and much more aware of just how much everyone around me eats. Thank you so much for sharing your story I will pray for your continued success.

Congratulations on your success!

It's amazing how fast the time goes by. I find maintenance with the band fairly fairly easy. I don't know what I would have done with out my band.

Tom, Toronto

Banded July 6 06

Wt. Loss: 156 lbs