One year ago today I made the second-best decision of my entire life! I was banded and branded. One year ago I couldn't fit in airline seats without an extender belt (and even then it was tight), I couldn't ride a bike, I couldn't hike more than half a mile, I'd go on cruises with my pretty friends and never get hit on, I wore an ugly skirted swimsuit, I couldn't exercise more than 20 minutes - forget about jogging, I was running out of clothing options even at the plus-sized stores. I was getting fatter and fatter each day and losing hope for ever getting married and having a family and really ever being successful in life because of my weight. I was a holding tank for hopeless negativism.

Today I biked 8 hill-filled miles to work and have to bike 8 miles back, and do this daily (I'm biking 100 miles in yellowstone this weekend), I can fly and have to tighten the seatbelt with 1/2 foot to spare, I exercise an hour each day (I jog for 20 minutes of that), I bought a freakin' cute swimsuit yesterday (with NO skirt) to go on my adventure/athletic trip to Guatamala in October where I'm hiking up a 14,000-foot volcano, kayaking all day to a private beach house, and doing a century bike ride, I shop in the skinny girl section, and I'm down 100 pounds! Life is looking more and more promising by the day. I've reinvented myself and I'm LIVING!

I wanted to share this because I read so many posts that list complications and frustrations, and that's what this forum is for, but sometimes it's nice to share the joys of having a band. Thanks for being there for me this past year, everyone!

:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: Awesome job!!! This is exactly what it's all about! You go girl!!!

What a breath of fresh air you are. Congrats on all of your achievements. I wish I had your guts, maybe I will get there someday. Im happy for you though, and it's nice to hear good things about the band.

What an inspiring post! Congratulations to you...Iam very happy for you..be proud You are an inspiration !!!

GOOOOOO Puddinpie! Congrats! Awesome job!

Just what I needed to "hear" today. What an inspiration. Thank you so very much.

I love it!!! You really are an inspiration! Thanks for sharing such an upbeat thread.:clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

Wow you have so many interesting things ahead of you in the near future!

Congratulations on your bandiversary!!

P.S. I turned icons off so everytime I posted I didn't have this big square of smileys, which was a dead ringer that I was surfing the web. LOL. [lets pretend I put some cool congratulation banana here]

O I got it!

~~~~~,~~'~~@

Flower for your bandiversary. he he.

:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: Thats Fantasic..Wish i could bike 8 miles LOL..Keep up the great work..Your an inspiration!!!!!!!

Thanks for your great inspiration! We share our banding date, just one year apart. I was banded today at Fair Oaks hospital, and just got home. I hope my next year will be as successful as yours has been.

Way to go :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

Puddingpie, this is wonderful to hear. I am 4 weeks post op and it really helps to hear this type of story. You will be my inspiration. I was always active even at 250 lbs, but the last few years, I have developed severe asthma and bursitis in my hips. All of a result of carrying too much weight. I love the fact that you are so active. This is my dream, to lose the weight and go hiking, biking and whatever else comes my way

This is just what I needed to read. I am being banding on Sept 22, 2006 and just found that out today. I have been wanting this for soooooo long but after reading all the negative stuff on the complication section, I was starting to feel sceared and doute myself.

I have diabetes and asthma, I am in constant pain from head to toe. I am 5" 7 1/2' tall and weight 267 rigth now. I need this surgery.

We went to 6 flags ammusement part this summer with my girls and I wore and OK swim sute with a sporty looking skirt. I didn't think what I looked like because I know I would never see those people again. But when we went on one water ride that required seat belts I almost didn't fit. I had to suck my stomach in and required help to get it buckled. I was mortified. I told my family I would not go on another ride like that until I lost weight. My girls 9 and 5yrs old deserve a mom that can do all the rides. This has to work for me.

After reading your post it gave me a renewed excitment and hope that 1 yr from now I can be riding bikes with my girls, going to public pools locally and going on rides without fearing the belt wont fit me.

Thank you so much and happy anniversary...

Way To Go!

Way To Go! You look fantastic, and I know you feel fantastic!

It's so amazing, isn't it? I relate to just about everything you've said, except I am in totally in awe of all the exercise and biking and hiking! I'm just proud to be able to walk the malls without pain!

Congratulations! You've had a great year, and more to come, I am sure!

Oh THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!I am smiling and feeling a bit tear-y!!!!! I am SO IMPRESSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You give me hope woman!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Keep up the GREAT WORK!!!!!

God Bless,

Melody

Banded 3/20/06 -85lbs

Whoohoo, what a great year! Congrats!!