One year ago today I was wheeled into surgery at 10.45am with a very rumbly, hungry tummy for a rather simple procedure that would change my life forever. 1.5 hrs later I awoke minus hunger pains.

The next time I felt a hunger pain was about 2 weeks later. I struggled a little in the beginning putting some or most of the weight back on that I had lost immediately post op. I have the 10ml VG band and finding good restriction took 7 mths. I reached optimal restriction about 5 months ago but unfortunately reflux came along with it. I was reluctant to have some fill removed as it had taken me so long to get ot that point, so I went on reflux meds and havent felt it since.

This operation has changed my life in so many ways. I was fat. My DH suffered and my kids suffered. I was paranoid and self conscious. I couldnt go to a restaurant or a fun park...basically anywhere without thinking everyone was looking at me and talking about me. Alot of the time they were. People can be cruel, some would openly look and stare...nudging their friends and laughing. I felt like a freak. I hated myself, thought I wasnt worth the time of day. I ended up anti depressants and even though they helped, they also helped me pack on some more weight.

The crutch for me came when my Dh told me at times he was embarresed of me. You got to be cruel to be kind type of thing. I took it badly, I cried for days and withdrew into myself. It was then I decided to start researching things I could do. I came across the lap band and researched it till I was blue in the face. I had my mind set on it....as fate would have it a few weeks later I found out I was pregnant. I put banding on the back burner and when my bub was a few weeks shy on 1 I had my band.

I have overcome so many fears since losing weight, fears that I have had for life. I am healthy...I am not starving myself, I have energy, I have confidence. I am a new person.

Without this band I dont know where I would be. I really dont think I could have gone any lower than where I was pre op. I love my band and I think it is the best invention since sliced bread, even though I cant eat bread anymore :clap2: .

Life is good!!!

Hugs to all my banded and non banded friends.

Kellie~

Congratulations on your 1-year anniversary! You've been an inspiration to me as a new bandster, and I'm glad things are going so well for you!

Emily

:wow2: ;)

Kellie;) Congratulations I am sure you are a very happy person for losing all this weight and over coming all the problems that came from being overweight...

Kell, I'm so happy for you.

I feel your thrills and joy, like a new life, a butterfly has emerged.

Congratulation on your accomplishment Kelly,

You are an inspiration to everyone who reads this tread. I am coming up on my 1 year bandaversary and how exciting that is to me! Just to think about it brings tears to my eyes because I know it was the right thing for me. I was so miserable in the state I was in and I used food to ease a lot of pain but now I have learned (the hard way) to deal with situations that come in my life. Food is not the answer!

Congratulations again, I am proud of you and thanks for sharing.

Kellie,

What a great first thing to read on Monday morning.

I can relate to so many things in this post....

I was paranoid and self conscious.

Absolutely! And isnt it funny that we didnt even realize that we were this way until we lost weight.

Losing weight is the biggest healer for so many ailments. Physical, emotional, mental.

Im so excited for you!

And I praise your effort for "doing something about it"...

Kelly, you should be so proud of how far you have come in one year. You look great and I am sure feel great as well, you are an inspiration to myself as well as others.

Congratulations on reaching 1 year and for all of your successes. You look fantastic!

Okay, Kel, with all that said:

1) Change your name from Big Belly Kelly to Kelly On Wheels!

2) Book your flight to Vegas for August 25 for our bandster Sangria Suarez.

3) Start shopping for a bathing suit since we'll spend 8/26 in the pool.

This thread brought tears to my eyes, but the sugary sweet kind

Congratulations, Kelly! It is such an inspiration to read your post!

Cindy

Here is a pic taken tonight going out for dinner to celebrate!!!

Before and tonight

Ps Delarla, if I wasnt getting married 2 weeks after the bash I would be there in a flash, definately next year

:cheer2: U look awesome!!! You should be in a commercial.:photo:

Now you have to change your name....no more belly...."NobellyKellie":rolleyes

Happy Belated Bandiversary, Kellie. I'm so happy for you. The look on your face in your before picture, compared to the look on your face in your recent pics, speaks volumes about the changes this has brought to your life. You are radiant. I'm so amazed that you're dressing up and going out so soon after your PS. Does it still hurt at all?

If the words you said don't do it, then the picture comparisons do ~~ YOU LOOK AWESOME!!! All of your hard work and efforts ARE noticeable. You give the rest of us hope. Congrats on your first BANDIVERSARY! Imagine the pictures you will be posting at your two year... WOW! Be extremly proud of yourself. You have done a great job.

Congratulations, Kellie!!

Susan,

I really dont have any pain at all now. Occasional twangs as the nerves come back and the discomfort of major swelling, other than that I feel awesome!

I went out for dinner tonight and had a ball. I am back to sleeping on my side and really have no restrictions in what I can do...I am going to push the "I cant hang clothes on the line" for as long as I can though :ban: