Yesterday was my 1 year anniversary since my band surgery. So I have been reflecting on the past year and some of the ups and downs. I just wanted to post a few thoughts as my first anniversary passes for those of you maybe thinking about getting the surgery or just those who are starting your journey post surgery.

Ups

- Lost 130 lbs- started my journey at 338 and this morning weighted 208... I am so close to ONEderland I can smell it!

- Down from a size 26/28 to a size 14/16

- I have walked several 5 Ks

- I have ran (not walked by actually ran which I haven't done in a LONG time) 20 mins straight and working on my first 5k

- I work out atleast 3-5 times a week and have tried lots of new things skiing, biking, running (per above), gymnastics

- I bought my first pair of pants in a non plus size store since middle school

- I actually kind of like shopping

- I can buckel my seat belt on an airplane with easy and have plenty of extra space

- I can fit comfortably in 1 seat and not take over half of the people's next to me at movie theatres, sporting events, etc.

- I don't have to judge a space to see if I can fit threw it

- I have more confidence than I have had in years which has shown in my personal life and career

- I am happy again- truely happy

- I love healthy food and working out (never thought I would say that one)

- People who I have not seen in a long time do not even recognize that it is me

- I no longer let my weight hold me back from things I want to do or achieve

- I could go on with this list for a long time....

Downs

- Sometimes I miss overeating- it is an addiction like anything else and sometimes I miss it

- I get frustrated when I go out to eat and everyone asks me if I did not like my meal because I only ate a small portion (this is only frustrating because I have told only a hand full of people I had the surgery)

- I get frustrated when I get something stuck and it swells and I have to do liquids for a few days - but it is usually my own fault for eating something I shouldn't or eating too fast

- I miss the social aspect of eating and drinking (wine mainly)- now I can only do 1 at a time and have to be very aware

- I have had some hair loss related to loosing weight so fast

This has been one of the fastest years of my life! To think of how many years went by that I kept telling myself I was going to do something to change my weight and then another year would go by and I was either the same weight or most years heavier than the year before. I am so glad I did not put this off any longer! To think that I could still weight 338 at this moment (or more) if I had not gone through with this... honestly disgusts me.

Have there been some ups and downs, yes, do I miss some of the foods I can't eat, yes, do I get frustrated with my band when I have "issues", yes, do I ever regret having the surgery, never, not for one second, not in a million years. This has been the best tool I could have ever given myself to finally conquor my weight. I still sruggle from time to time and it is definatly still a journey I am working on but I could not be more greatful and happy that I made this decision.

Congratulations! Happy Anniversary, great share!

Great update thank you x

Happy bandiversary! You have done well and are an inspiration to us all!

Thank you! You sound so happy & healthy! Please keep[ up you inspiring messages. :wub:

Happy bandversary. I just had mine 2 weeks ago and I have no regrets either. I bought from Bariatric Advantage Biotin 5mg. It helps with hair loss and helps with finger nails.

Your pictures are wonderful, thank you for sharing.

Great post Westie. Truly inspiring. I can so relate to the hair loss. I am banded 7 months and down 78 lbs. I noticed scalp the other day and freaked out. Have started the biotin and iron and protein powder. Hope it reverses sooner than later.

You look amazing!! Soon enough you will be in ONEderland and be loving it even more!! Congratulations on your achievement.

You're doing great, keep it up looking fabulous .

I am with you on going out to eat and everyone does not think you like your meal! I always feel like everyone Is thinking I am a closet eater because I do not look like someone who would only eat a few bites, lol! But if I was 80 lbs bigger where I use to be and pigging out everyone would be thinking good loard look at that big girl put away the food. But I am starting to get to the point where I don't give a crap what other people think about me, I don't care if they think I should eat more, less...weigh more or less...I want to be comfortable in my own skin that is what this is all about! I loved your post, keep up the great work!

Thanks for sharing your successful year!

Thank you for sharing Westie. Your journey is inspiring!

Very, very inspiring! Congratulations! I wish I could show your post to my PCP. My PCP will not recommend the lapband to any if his patients because according to him I'm not losing fast enough. I've lost 50 lbs since 12/28. When I was in his office last week I had ONLY lost 47 lbs since surgery. He called the lapband a miserable failure (yes, his exact words). I was supposedly the "poster child" among his patients and the first one to have lapband surgery.

I see a post such as yours and I know that the lapband is a success. It's stories like yours that keep me inspired and motivated. Thank you for your post and congratulations! Happy first anniversary!

Very, very inspiring! Congratulations! I wish I could show your post to my PCP. My PCP will not recommend the lapband to any if his patients because according to him I'm not losing fast enough. I've lost 50 lbs since 12/28. When I was in his office last week I had ONLY lost 47 lbs since surgery. He called the lapband a miserable failure (yes, his exact words). I was supposedly the "poster child" among his patients and the first one to have lapband surgery.

I see a post such as yours and I know that the lapband is a success. It's stories like yours that keep me inspired and motivated. Thank you for your post and congratulations! Happy first anniversary!

Hey dawalsh, your doctor sounds like an a**hole. He wasn't calling the lapband a failure, he was calling you a failure. I'd look for another doctor because he's a jerk.

I am with you on going out to eat and everyone does not think you like your meal! I always feel like everyone Is thinking I am a closet eater because I do not look like someone who would only eat a few bites' date=' lol! But if I was 80 lbs bigger where I use to be and pigging out everyone would be thinking good loard look at that big girl put away the food. But I am starting to get to the point where I don't give a crap what other people think about me, I don't care if they think I should eat more, less...weigh more or less...I want to be comfortable in my own skin that is what this is all about! I loved your post, keep up the great work![/quote']

I never care what others think of my eating. Wednesday I went to a cousins reunion and not one person made a comment about what I ate. I told them how I eat but never said I had the band. Ignore people, they are too into themselves I have noticed.

Congrats on you success. That is amazing.

After I was one year post opt I sat back and did the same thing. One thing on my con list would be that my head has never caught up with my body. I still look in the mirror and see a 300 pound woman. But that being said my pros list is so long. When I pack for a vaca I am amazed on how little room my cloths take up now. I don't look at a folding chair and not sit because I am afraid I am going to break it.

WTG