I was banded February 29th , 2012 . My starting weight before surgery was 262 lbs. My progress has been slow and steady . Overall, I don' t regret having the surgery because it changed and saved my life for the better. My current weight is 184 lbs and went from wearing a size 18 W to regular size 12 . I had to buy a lot of new clothes and love the way I look in skinny jeans. . Only a few people know about my surgery ....close relatives only . At work , no one knows and I get all these compliments , and sometimes I feel like a fraud . But I stop and think , wait a second I workout hard, and I made a decision to better my life ....why should I feel this way ? I'm learning to cope with the new me , so I don't go back to the old me . Taking it one day at a time !

Inspiring thanls

Good for you! I have not told anyone but family and yes, I'm working very hard at trying to be a success. I do have a disability that curtails me from some physical activity but out of the wheelchair and walking with a cane which to me is a victory in itself. My surgeon is proud of me but he said because of my type of disability I'll need to walk with a cane forever (my brain is permanently damaged due to a massive stroke I suffered many years ago). My point also being that my loss has also been slow but steady. I'm not in ONEderland yet but it's taking me a long time to get there. It seems like forever. My very highest weight was 289. Pre-op I was 267 and now I'm struggling between 210-214. It's driving me crazy. My surgery was 12/28/12.

Good luck on your journey!

Great to hear ! This is a major life style change . The band is tool not a magic solution ....we only get out of it what we put into it .

That's ok people we all have our struggles but it was easy to be overweight and have health problems or just being embarassed at times , we got this tool to help us so it does take time and work also so don't be discouraged I have seen on here where it took some 2-3 yrs. to hit goal so just keep going ,it might take us a bit longer but I hope we get there and my weight does fluctuate up & down , but I keep pushing on.

I have not told anyone, and I don't care...sometimes it's all about you and what you need to do for oneself.....to better yourself in this world....

When the smoke clears and it's certain the curtian's going to fall...where will be these critics be then? Standing next to you to offer their help? I don't think so.....

Same goes for all the critic's here on this forum....they're not going to be around to help help you when it's time.....so it really does not matter.

Take care of yourself and enjoy the results....

It is always difficult when people ask "how did you lose that weight?".. I started this process by being honest... but that is just me.. If you are different and want to be more private than that is okay too... but you have nothing to feel guilty about.. You made the choice to lose weight and get healthy for you not for other people.. I have found a plus to being honest..Several of my friends and acquaintances who have weight issues have asked me about my loss and I told them I had lapband surgery.. the result is 2 of them are now seeking counseling for surgery... I am proud that I can be a positive force for them.. I still have 20 lbs to lose and I know it will be slow but I am content for the first time in years.. I don't stress about eating the wrong thing and I am enjoying life .. Being able to move and do things like normal people is the big plus to having band surgery for me...

I wish I could share my surgery success with my coworkers who are overweight. I love helping people, but I recognized that not everyone is equip yo deal with something as serious as lapband surgery . I believe my story would turn Into wasteful gossip ! This is my gut feeling, and I always follow my gut big or small

I feel exactly like you do . I haven't told anyone and my coworkers are having a field day. They tell me everyday how good I looke and what I'm doing. Ins coworker asked me if I'm taking anything . I said nope just working out , which I am and portion control. They know I do 5 am workouts 5-6 days a week .

I've decided not to tell them , I think it would shatter a few people because I have encouraged quite a few at work to start exercising and eat better. You do whatever makes u comfortable ... Great job! Keep it up. Slow and steady always wins.

Yes I workout in the morning as well. In fact. , before my surgery I was an avid gym rat......the weight just was not budging and my eating habits were not the best either. The surgery put everything in perspective for me. Plus, I didn't drop an enormous amount of weight in a short period of time to bring on any major concern or gossip . I wish I could share my success and encourage others struggling with their weight to take the journey I continue be on.

My answer is smaller meals, watching what I put into my mouth and exercise. All true! tonifrdabronx, you are doing great!

I don't mind telling anyone what I did if they ask. I have worked hard these past 3 months. I was banded 9/17/13 and have lost enough weight for people to notice which is exciting (37 pounds my last weigh in)!! I am not ashamed that I asked for help and grateful I have people who support me (and haven't given up on me and my attempts to loose weight). My "someday I will be healthy" wish is now closer than it was yesterday.