I was banded January 21,2013. I weighed 346 pounds. Have stage 3 COPD. I was on 2 liters oxygen 24 hrs a day and considered permanently disabled. Smoking a half pack of cigarettes a day. I could not walk, talk, and breathe at the same time. I was taking blood pressure meds and cholesterol meds. I think I was well on my way to an early grave just like my momma. She died at 59 years old. I still don't recall what they sighted as cause of death on her death certificate but it was all related to her being morbidly obese.

Fast forward to today six months later. I am at 266 pounds, well maybe a few pounds less as I have promised myself to stay off scale for at least a week. Any who, I am feeling better then I have in 15- 20 years. I do Water exercise twice a day for 60 minutes. Last night I started walking two miles a night with my niece. During which we visit almost the entire route. Preparing for a 2 mile fun run to be held at the Farmers day event in my little town the end of September.

I am off the cholesterol meds and truly believe the others will be next. I quit smoking in Feb. (although I have recently had a dumbass attack and smoked a few but that is done). I still eat anything I want just slower and less. I have only had one food that has given me problems and that is flat bread. I have chosen not to eat bread, potatoes, rice and Pasta. I have actually enjoyed finding new better foods to replace them. Like using zucchini noodles in goulash or a cucumber to hold my tuna salad instead of bread. Would probably be back to work now except I will lose my medical coverage. I am ready to go back to work the end of the year medical coverage or not. I love love love my lap band.

Glad your doing so well! I know from my weight loss I have gotten off all meds and really dodged some bad weight related illness. Thus I have decided to get the band to help me reach my goal. Keep up the good work and stay well! Have a blessed and happy life!

Congrats. I will be banded on 14 August and I cant wait to start to lose weight. I have lost 25 on my own even before I start my pre op diet so I am hopeful that I can get down to my goal weight sooner rather than later.

Your story is really motivating to those of us who are just getting started. Thank you for sharing! Nicely done!

Congrats on quitting the cigarettes. That was harder for me than losing weight. I'm off cigarettes for 30 yrs and I was up to 2 packs a day. I started showing signs of lung infections and I quit cold turkey. It was the hardest and the best thing I ever did. Now the Lapband is the best thing recently that I have done to obtain a quality of life.

Keep up the good work!