One of the things that keeps us motivated is success stories. I know there is a Before and After thread, but I like to hear about the success too. So many people could benefit from reading about your success. I am still working on mine being just a 8 weeks post-op. Thank you!

Tell us...

When?

Why?

Who?

Insurance or Not?

How it felt?

What has changed?

Pictures!

I was 320 before I started the process. I lost 30 lbs on my own before June. I am now down just over 70 lbs. I was a size tight 24 and now I'm a size 20, 18 on top. I had United Healthcare and they covered the entire surgery just not the fills. I've had 4 fills. My doctor is awesome. His name is Robert McKeen here in San Jose, CA. I would change anything. I love my band.

I can't believe with all the people on this site that they don't want to share and help others. Come on...tell us how you did it! We all need help!

I think most of the ppl who frequent this website on a regular basis are like us....less than one year out. IMO, this can't be included in the "sucess story" catagory.

I would love to hear about folks who are doing great 2-4+ years out. We don't see many of them here.

I'm less than a year out, but I'll still reply. It's not that we don't want to help others -- most of us have already answered these questions many times in other threads.

When? March 1, 2006

Why? Many reasons including, but not limited to, desire to have children, desire for improved quality of life, and as medical preventative measures.

Who? Dr. Hoehn

Insurance or Not? Yes, covered at 100% minus my co-pays.

How it felt? Weird (I have a very long description of this posted, and it would take way too long to recreate)

What has changed? Weight, size, self-satisfaction, perspectives... lots of things.

Pictures! See picture thread. I don't know the file path off-hand so I can't repost from work.

Can we resurect this one too for us new folk who haven't been here long enough to read or are not able to find the other threads???

Thanks guys you guys are great!!!

:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: Audree

One of the things that keeps us motivated is success stories. I know there is a Before and After thread, but I like to hear about the success too. So many people could benefit from reading about your success. I am still working on mine being just a 8 weeks post-op. Thank you!

Tell us...

When?

Why?

Who?

Insurance or Not?

How it felt?

What has changed?

Pictures!

well, i consider myself more of a "work in progress" than a success story. today is my 3 month bandiversary and i have lost 64 pounds.

when - 09 Oct 2006

why - 402.5 pounds :faint: :faint::faint:

who - Marsden, DFW area

insurance paid 90% - united healthcare

didnt hurt much, more discomfort. i was extremely tired the first few days.

what has changed - pretty much everything. i am loving (and living) life now. i am 10,000,000% more active. i work out in the gym at least 8-13 times a week. i can play with my daugher - i can chase her around and have fun... i can stand for long periods of time.

i have taken 3 or 4 kick boxing classes and LOVED them ... so not much has stayed the same.

pictures are attached.

Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!! That is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Audree

When? 22 Feb 2005 (almost 23 months ago)

Why? 297lbs!

Who? A local banding surgeon.

Insurance or Not? It works a little differently in Australia, but my health cover paid a fair % of the total.

How it felt? I have very few bad memories of the early days, but I do recall I was in very little pain.

What has changed? Well, I am 178lbs lighter for a start! :nervous I am a million times more active, my whole family has felt the benefit of my (and our) lifestyle change.

Pictures!

Before;

September 2005

And December 2006 in the pants I am wearing above.

WOW!!!! Those are awesome pictures!!!!!!!!! Audree

well, i consider myself more of a "work in progress" than a success story. today is my 3 month bandiversary and i have lost 64 pounds.

when - 09 Oct 2006

why - 402.5 pounds :faint: :faint::faint:

who - Marsden, DFW area

insurance paid 90% - united healthcare

didnt hurt much, more discomfort. i was extremely tired the first few days.

what has changed - pretty much everything. i am loving (and living) life now. i am 10,000,000% more active. i work out in the gym at least 8-13 times a week. i can play with my daugher - i can chase her around and have fun... i can stand for long periods of time.

i have taken 3 or 4 kick boxing classes and LOVED them ... so not much has stayed the same.

pictures are attached.

Thank you so much for your story...it really helped me this morning. I have been kind of down about this whole thing. I been thinking it doesn't work and we are just guinea pigs.

When? 22 Feb 2005 (almost 23 months ago)

Why? 297lbs!

Who? A local banding surgeon.

Insurance or Not? It works a little differently in Australia, but my health cover paid a fair % of the total.

How it felt? I have very few bad memories of the early days, but I do recall I was in very little pain.

What has changed? Well, I am 178lbs lighter for a start! :nervous I am a million times more active, my whole family has felt the benefit of my (and our) lifestyle change.

Pictures!

Before;

September 2005

And December 2006 in the pants I am wearing above.

WOW! You have done really great. I am praying that I will have the success that you have had.

When? August 7, 2006

Why? I was killing myself

Who? Dr. Ortiz/Mexico

Insurance or Not? Nope, the Teachers' Health Trust ignores all known data about how 90 some percent of all people who lose weight the "natural" way regain it. They DO offer $50 a year toward gym membership, Weight Watchers, etc. and encourage increased exercise and decreased calorie intake. (Is this asinine or what????)

How it felt? I was so excited about making this move and how it would affect my life, that I didn't focus on the physical aspect much. I DO remember wishing I'd brought pain pills from home though.

What has changed? I am 5 months and 3 days out, and I've lost 90 pounds. I am me again with energy, life, and hope. At times, I get a bit blue when I reflect on how hard I've worked to get to this weight, and I've worked my way all the way up from super morbidly obese to morbidly obese. I have to get that out of my mind!

Pictures! None yet, but I'll work on that soon.

OOp, please disregard the DH on my prior posting. I didn't realize I wasn't operating under my own user id.

I too am a work in progress. Just over 6 months out but having great results.

When........June 27, 2005

Why..........My health mainly but I can't say the way I look didn't have a part in it.

Who..........Dr. James Longhi, Morgantown WV

How it Felt.Not alot of pain mostly gas pain. Went back to work the following Monday.

What has changed.My opinion of myself, No more meds I am off BP med, Cholestrol med, Sugar level has went to normal, No more GERD.

Pictures......Not yet I need to find some of before and those I don't have a lot of.

WHEN: FEB 7 2006

WHY: bad knees, couldn't do the things that make me me,heading down the path to ill health, and lost my joy in life.

WHO: Dr. Lederer, Fairview Riverside, Minneapolis, MN

HOW IT FELT: Surgery felt weird but after not too much pain & after, just tired. Relearned to love naps!

WHAT CHANGED: Knees are much better and I can walk the dog again and climb ladders and do the things I love. Life is fun again and i look forward to each day! It is amazing what a confidence builder it is when someone tells you how good you are looking!

PICTURES: Not quite ready for that yet!