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A Year Ago Today...



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Here I am just a mere 2.5 pounds from my goal and wondering where the heck the time went? We all know that the older you get the faster time goes by, but this is unreal and I'm having some kind of time digesting it all. A year ago today, I was diagnosed with type II diabetes, crazy blood pressure and severe obstructive sleep apnea (a few weeks later). I knew something had to give, because I had too much living to do to have to worry about pills, testing and the sort. To some, the band was an extreme way to thwart off these diseases; to some, I didn't need to lose the weight at all. My questions to them were: Have you ever struggled with your weight? I have my entire life. Are you judging my physical appearance as a guage of good health? Don't judge a book by it's cover, I have three conditions that could take me out of here any time. Have you had the displeasure of yo-yo dieting? I always gained back more than I lost. Do you have to prick your finger to get a drop of blood out every morning? It doesn't feel good and it's scary. Do you sleep well at night? I wake up several times caughing or having to go pee...again! Are you concerned about going blind, losing your limbs or having a poor quality of life? I do. Do find yourself wondering if you'll see your developmentally delayed child grow up and become an independent adult? I choose to live for her as much as for myself. The band was the solution for me and I'm glad I did it. I have none of those conditions or the guilt that my health would be the reason I left this earth before completing the most important job God has given me: Being a mother. I have such different outlook on life now and I'm happier than I thought I could be. Nothing is guaranteed...if you drive a car, any second could be your last. But I feel better about my chances of living a long and healthy life now. It all started a year ago today.

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I am so happy for youu and Celebrate Happy banderversery , and many years to your life and health.

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I am so happy for you and Celebrate Happy banderversery , and many years to your life and health.

Ditto that! Well said!

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Hi Debbie...my bandiversary is June 19th...February 18th is when I was faced with the reality that something had to happen, quickly!

I am so happy for youu and Celebrate Happy banderversery , and many years to your life and health.

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well then I am still happy that you decided to change your health and live longer , you are the one who chose to make the decision to a better healthier you , props to you, mind I forget well still just think this is just accomplishment you made in your life, yeah!!! ok I will wait till june then say Happy banderversery lol oops lol.

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I agree with you. Your decisions are life altering. My decision was also based on Health. I have had one hip and knee replacement. I have been told I need the other hip and knee replaced plus I have two herniated disks. I may not look that big but I did qualify for the surgery and my skelatal system is thanking me for it every day. I can't wait to to get near my goal. I was banded in Feb. 2014. I have a long journey. Thanks for sharing your story.

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Happy bandiversary

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Well, today's anniversary is just as important as your band anniversary. A year ago today, you decided YOUR HEALTH WAS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE TO YOU! Best wishes !

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Thanks for sharing your story. I agree with you 200%....nothing is more important to me than raising my little girl and boy (3 and 7)...watching them grow into wonderful adults...experiencing all there is to experience with them. They were a big factor in my decision to get this surgery...and so far I couldnt be happier with the results! :D

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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