Today is my 1 year bandiversary and I am 100 pounds from where I was a year ago. I never thought I could lose that much weight in one year, even with the band. I thought I would be successful and feel better if I could lose just 50 pounds, and when I lost 50 pounds I DID feel like a million bucks.

I still have a lot of weight to lose to reach the state of not being obese, but honestly if I stay at this weight that I am currently, I am ok with that. I started this journey as a size 28 in tops, size 30 in bottoms and could barely walk a flight of stairs without becoming winded.

I am currently in a size 16 top/ size 18 bottom. I haven't been in those sizes since high school, and we are coming up on my 20 year reunion this year.

I went from wearing XXXL and XXXXL shirts to wearing some XL and L size shirts. I can actually wear some of my husband's t-shirts and it's overwhelming to me every time I put something on that looks a little small and it fits.

I walk everywhere now and I do not get winded or tired. I have seemingly endless supplies of energy and most importantly, I am not controlled by food any longer. I used to think about food all day long. when is my next meal? when are we going to eat? what are we going to eat when we are finished eating this. My hungry head monster has silenced.

I have had zero fills, so my band is exactly the way it was the day it was installed, and I don't feel like i need a fill. I'm eating like a normal person, eating normal portions. I haven't had to stop eating foods that I like, i just eat less of them and I never go back for seconds...... or thirds, or fourths

I eat chocolate every now and again, McDonald's, fancy restaurants, junk food....but all of these are in moderation and not on a daily basis like they used to be. I haven't told anyone about the surgery except for my DH, so when I go out with friends once a month, and I order fries or something off of the menu, they don't monitor what i'm eating or wonder if i've had surgery. I just eat a few bites of this or that and i'm done. no more fries for another month and my friends are none the wiser.

i realize that telling or not telling is a big debate around here, and i don't want to debate that. i simply just made the choice that was right for me and in the end, that is what we are all doing isn't it? having surgery because it is right for us?

so anyway, i didn't want to go on and on, i just wanted to thank everyone in this community for sharing their triumphs, struggles and tips with me over this last year. they made a difference and they helped me shed 100 pounds. I can't wait to see what the next year holds for me.

you are very welcome....we were all newbies once...all (or most) scared out of our wits. scared either of the surgery or scared that this wouldn't work, or what have you.

1 year out is still early days and anything could happen, but just take it one day at a time.

thanks again everyone for the kind words.

Your weight loss is an inspiration! Congratulations and enjoy that cruise!

Thanks for sharing your story. I am getting banded in 2 days and sometimes I wonder if all of this is worth it. But your post made my day. I hope to be where you are a year from now. Congrats!

Wow, amazing thread. I know my weight loss will start slowing but I have really enjoyed the last two months! I can't wait to say I've lost 100 pounds.

Congratulations and enjoy your trip!