Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

My one year Bandiversary...ok, a few days late!



Recommended Posts

Feb 28th was my magical one year mark. I used to hang out on this board with great regularity, and now I'm doing good if I lurk once or twice a month. What's the difference? Well, I'm free. I'm living my life. I feel great. I've forgotten all about my struggles with just wanting to be "normal." You see, I think that I AM normal.

You may look at my stats and think that I really haven't lost as much weight as one would expect after a year....why do I feel like I have accomplished so much? Well, that's because I finally GET it. It took me almost 9 months post-op to get there...but I'm there. What I'm talking about is "working with my band, developing lifetime habits that are GOOD for me," and now it comes natural.

Originally, my doc was conservative with his fills in my whopping Vanguard band. I didn't feel real restriction until somewhere around Oct.-Nov. Never even experienced the dreaded PB until then. (Lucky me.) And then it happened. I felt this thing working. The weight started coming off, and I started feeling great. I WANTED to exercise. I WANTED to go shopping. I WANTED people to see me. That's been an incredible gift.

Another snag in my weightloss came late last summer when I got pregnant for the first time.....sadly, it resulted in miscarriage in Sept of '05 and that was a few months of no weightloss. After that, was when things changed for me. I begged my doc to get more aggressive, and he did. I started feeling like someone with a band. Frustrating at times, and I even mourned the portions and foods I used to enjoy...but it was worth it.

I found out I was pregnant again (We are so excited) on Christmas Eve. My OB and Band surgeon have been taking extra special care of me to make sure all is well this go around. I actually had an unfill because I was still dropping about a pound a week and I wasn't comfortable with that. (Although they assure me my baby is developing superbly!)

Now I'm well into my 4th month, feeling confident about this pregnancy and grateful for my band. My goal will be to be healthy and possibly maintain my weight throughout the next 5 months. But if I start gaining, I'm am perfectly OK with that. I wouldn't have been six months ago. But now I have confidence in how this process works. I know what my role is in working with my band, and I know how to do it.

This board was a great source of support for me when I was researching and when I was struggling with my slow loss. The only reason why I don't spend more time here now, is because I feel like I got what I needed when I needed it. Should I stumble again, I'll be right back.

I wanted to share with others that need inspiration that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. That just because you aren't one of those that loses a great deal of weight in the first 6 months, doesn't mean that it won't happen for you. It's been said so many times, but this is a JOURNEY. And one that I'm so happy that I made.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

OHHHH, I am so happy for you and your husband. A Banster Baby!@!!!

Good luck. You sound so good........ I hope all goes well for the three of you : - )

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Happy Bandiversary! What a wonderful testamony to success! It's not about the numbers, it's about being FREE! So congratulations on your freedom! Being free from the bondage of food is my most heartfelt prayer for all of us. Thank you for coming in to share that with us! And yay! A baby! I'm thrilled for you! Be sure to share pics when the little one arrives! Nothing like a baby for dropping 10 pounds real quick! *laughs*

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Congrats on all your triumphs! It sounds like things are clicking for you now!

And thanks for the hope! It does me good to know that the journey gets happier along the way. :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm so happy for you!!!

What a sweet Xmas gift!

Frustrating at times, and I even mourned the portions and foods I used to enjoy...but it was worth it.

This is me to a T but so worth it. Wait till the baby is eating real food and he/she start eating more than you...

Congratulations

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Congrats! I am so happy for you! I loved your post, thank you so much for posting it. Don't forget to stop by and post some pictures of that baby!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Nicole what a great post! Thanks so much for letting us know how you're doing, and congratulations on everything!! :biggrin1:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

awe Nicole ~ I was just thinking about you too! My Louisiana Band Buddy.

A new baby, a new body, a new life... you made me smile!

Hey - say a prayer for those of us in limboland - those of us that are still trying to "get it", ok?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Ahhh there she is!!!

So happy to hear from you!

So excited that all is going well & that your feeling great!

Can't wait till you post photos!

We ALL will be thinking & praying for you

Good Luck Sweetie w/that bundle of Joy!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I love posts like this!! You're so happy & excited!! You're living your life feeling FREE & that's what this band is all about!!

WAY TO GO!! I'm so proud of you.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

What a wonderful celebration. Congratulations on your precious new gift. You are truly blessed! Let us know how everything is going with you and the baby.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • bellaamey

      https://alluniqueguide.com/java-burn-coffee-reviews/
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×