Earlier today I went and got my hair done, as I walked in my hairdresser yells out OMG look at you ran up to me and hugged me. I had a huge grin on my face because I loved her reaction to my 83 pounds lost so far. There was also another lady there, she is in the medical field and she asked me how I have lost so much weight. Told her the lapband, proudly.

My hairdresser said one of her friends had a lapband removed recently because it failed her. So I said why and how did it fail her? She went on to the explain because she didn't change her eating habits, she still ate KFC, pizza, McDonald's, all the wrong foods. She also developed bad reflux. So I said actually she failed the band not the other way around. And I also said and I bet if she was here right now she'd want to slap me in the face because I've said she failed. The reflux part could probably have been controlled with the help of her aftercare team but her mental attitude and other changes was all on her, as hard as it is it can be changed. It's a matter of taking it one day at a time to make those mental changes. Unless someone is ready to tackle those mental changes along with diet changes they will fail then blame everything and everyone else.

We have to stop blaming and take accountability for our own failures and mistakes and when we can do that we can move on with a more positive attitude and slowly change, baby steps I always say.

For the first time in years I didn't mind looking at my reflection in the mirror as the three of us chatted away and at that point I realised that I'm finally starting to like myself again and actually enjoyed the attention I was getting and I yapped, yapped, yapped non stop, lol. In the past there was no way I would look at myself in the mirror for so long and would stay quiet to shy away from attention.

The other lady said you won't fail, you sound so positive and obviously have learnt to work with your lapband and made the appropriate changes., especially mental. She went on to say how I would be a good motivational speaker. For a stranger to say that to me made me realise what a huge mental change I've undergone these last six months. I am actually liking me again and have found myself again.

Oh and there is no way I'd ever get up in front of a group, too shy for that but if anyone wanted one on one support I'd give them 110%.

The start of the lapband journey was tough especially mentally but six months down the track every struggle has been so worth it and I'd do it all again in a heartbeat, struggles and all!

Great post! You are a motivational speaker, right here and right now. Keep it up and congratulations on your WL!

What an awesome story. Thank you for sharing that and you said it quite well!! Congrats on your success personally and physically.

Love to hear that!! I can feel your happiness from your words! I am so happy for you! you go gf! lol.. You are inspirational!

nice story. Keep up your good work on the band.

Great post! BTW i would not give up on the motivational speaker thing, you motivated me and i am sure many other people . Best to you!!

Earlier today I went and got my hair done, as I walked in my hairdresser yells out OMG look at you ran up to me and hugged me. I had a huge grin on my face because I loved her reaction to my 83 pounds lost so far. There was also another lady there, she is in the medical field and she asked me how I have lost so much weight. Told her the lapband, proudly.

My hairdresser said one of her friends had a lapband removed recently because it failed her. So I said why and how did it fail her? She went on to the explain because she didn't change her eating habits, she still ate KFC, pizza, McDonald's, all the wrong foods. She also developed bad reflux. So I said actually she failed the band not the other way around. And I also said and I bet if she was here right now she'd want to slap me in the face because I've said she failed. The reflux part could probably have been controlled with the help of her aftercare team but her mental attitude and other changes was all on her, as hard as it is it can be changed. It's a matter of taking it one day at a time to make those mental changes. Unless someone is ready to tackle those mental changes along with diet changes they will fail then blame everything and everyone else.

We have to stop blaming and take accountability for our own failures and mistakes and when we can do that we can move on with a more positive attitude and slowly change, baby steps I always say.

For the first time in years I didn't mind looking at my reflection in the mirror as the three of us chatted away and at that point I realised that I'm finally starting to like myself again and actually enjoyed the attention I was getting and I yapped, yapped, yapped non stop, lol. In the past there was no way I would look at myself in the mirror for so long and would stay quiet to shy away from attention.

The other lady said you won't fail, you sound so positive and obviously have learnt to work with your lapband and made the appropriate changes., especially mental. She went on to say how I would be a good motivational speaker. For a stranger to say that to me made me realise what a huge mental change I've undergone these last six months. I am actually liking me again and have found myself again.

Oh and there is no way I'd ever get up in front of a group, too shy for that but if anyone wanted one on one support I'd give them 110%.

The start of the lapband journey was tough especially mentally but six months down the track every struggle has been so worth it and I'd do it all again in a heartbeat, struggles and all!

everyone else said what i am thinking

proud of you summer

Ty all, as a newly banded person, even though I was armed with all the info till you are actually experiencing it it can all be confusing. My success so far is due to a fantastic aftercare team and a lot of people on these forums posting their experiences/ journey. So I really need to thank you all with the info posted out there as well.

I am proud that you are proud...