I just returned from seeing my surgeon and found out that I've EXCEED MY GOAL!!! The tears just won't stop flowing! I'm setting here in disbelief that this is actually happening. One year ago I was setting in this very chair with tears flowing because I was so miserably overweight that I could barely bend over to tie my shoes and even though I knew my surgery was a GO I sat here with that hopeless feeling wondering if this plastic little ring was really going to help me. As I reflect on the past 11 months it all just seems so unreal and hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that I'm where I am today. I go in every month to see my Dr. so of I course I knew I was 6lbs away from goal but to see those numbers and to hear someone say you made it, you passed it, is life changing!!!

For anyone who's thinking about this surgery, or is in a rut wondering why you had the surgery, it's ALL worth it!!! The 2 week pre-op (or whatever your doctor orders), the discomfort from surgery, the 6 weeks of bandster hell because you're sick of liquids and mushies, the starving all the time until your first fill, the balancing act of how much Fluid is enough, I'm in the green zone or the yellow or red, It's ALL worth it!

I NEVER truly thought when I had this surgery this would happen for me the way it has. I knew I was determined and that failure wasn't an option but I never thought the outcome would look like this!

My life has changed in so many ways. First and foremost, I'm healthy!!! I can walk up a flight of stairs without being winded, play sports with my kids, buy whatever I want in the stores and no longer have to wonder if it comes in my size, I don't have to worry about flying and praying the seat belt fits around me. I'm so much happier, the small things in life just seem to make it all worth while and before I missed so many of them because I was so unhappy and self concious. One of the greatest feelings is not feeling like an embarassement to my husband and kids (not that they ever made me think I was), but when your mom is 34 years old and is as wide as she is tall, it's hard to be proud of that I'm sure.

Don't get me wrong it's not all sunshine and roses, but it is what you make it and if you put 100% into it you're going to get a good return on your investment!

Now it's time to move onto the next phase, life long maintenance which scares the hell out of me to be quite honest!!!! I know however that this time I've made a lifestyle change, unlike with past diets, where when once you've reached your goal you think you're "done" so you start raiding the pantry because "you've earned it", this time I know it's all about balance and doing things I know I can LIVE WITH AND WITHOUT for the REST OF MY LIFE.

This group is an amazing source or support and information!!! Thank you!

Edited April 21, 201412 yr by enjoythetime

Let me say like my daddy used to say "you are built like a brick sh-- house".. what a inspiring transformation. I started coming on this site over a year ago right before my surgery. I loved reading posts from CG, Missy, TMF, B52 and all of those successful bandsters. I miss some of them. CG still posts now and again and I love her direct attitude, TMF is always funny and he has good advice. Missy and B52 have not been on for awhile. I appreciate everyone who tries to help others. Paying it forward. I am not what I consider a huge success but I am thrilled that I am 60 lbs lighter than last year. I have about 15 more lbs to go to get to my goal. My Surgeon is happy and says not to focus on the numbers but I know what size I want to be. You will maintain your new body I am sure.. Congratulations and God Bless you.

Sharpie, you've been inspiring me since I came on here. Thanks for all your honesty and encouraging messages!

oh thanks so much , I am so happy to pass along any information I can do fellow bandsters or any of the weight loss folks. We all need encouragement and advise from time to time. I know I try to visit the group each day . I still need motivation and some days when I get discouraged or depressed or just plain tired of the whole weight loss thing I visit my friends on here for their stories. I am so thankful that I made my decision to get my band and hope I can get to my goal in the next few months.

congrats to u both because your eye is on the prize!

Sharpie...not a success? Huh? you are awesome...138 lbs according to your stats...YOU GO GIRL!!!

u go girl u go,push em back push em back way back

Thank you chasingadream for your support and kind words! It means alot! Youre doing awesome yourself!!

@@enjoythetime Holy WOW!

You look amazing and your transformation is phenomenal as @@2muchfun said!

I love the beautiful smile in EVERY one of your pics in your gallery!

I loved your post on what you are doing/have done to get yourself to where you are!!! It really hit home.

And I also have 2 small children….they are our exercise!!!! (and our joy!)

Congrats and thanks for sharing…what a tremendous inspiration!

@@enjoythetime Thanks so much for posting your eating ideas. I've had the dumbest reaction about what to eat once I get onto a regular diet. I think fear of the unknown and fear about giving up my favorite foods caused me to sort of blank out ideas about how to eat. The guidebook given to me by my surgeon lists nothing but plain foods, not the recipe stuff I've always eaten, and I was beginning to think I'd be stuck with 3 oz of plain chicken or whatever day after day. I don't think the surgeon means I can't eat other things, I think that was simply the easy way to explain it. I know plenty of healthy recipes, but I couldn't visualize them in my post-op life. You've helped me a lot!

Awe thank you Sharpie!

YOU'RE A HUGE SUCCESS!!! YOU LOOK AMAZING!! DON'T EVER DOUBT YOUR ABILITY, IF YOU WANT TO GET OFF 15 MORE LBS YOU WILL!!! LOOK AT HOW FAR YOU'VE COME YOU SHOULD BE OVER JOYED AND SO PROUD!! I'M HONORED THAT YOU TOOK TIME TO COMMENT AND READ THIS. YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE!!!!!!!!

Let me say like my daddy used to say "you are built like a brick sh-- house".. what a inspiring transformation. I started coming on this site over a year ago right before my surgery. I loved reading posts from CG, Missy, TMF, B52 and all of those successful bandsters. I miss some of them. CG still posts now and again and I love her direct attitude, TMF is always funny and he has good advice. Missy and B52 have not been on for awhile. I appreciate everyone who tries to help others. Paying it forward. I am not what I consider a huge success but I am thrilled that I am 60 lbs lighter than last year. I have about 15 more lbs to go to get to my goal. My Surgeon is happy and says not to focus on the numbers but I know what size I want to be. You will maintain your new body I am sure.. Congratulations and God Bless you.

Any time. It's hard for me too so what I did was I started pinning health recipies on Pinterest and then modifying them even further ifto my taste or if I thought other substitutions would be better health wise and by doing this I've come up with several different recipies I even have a not so healthy board that I try to tweak when I get really crazy:-)

@@enjoythetime Thanks so much for posting your eating ideas. I've had the dumbest reaction about what to eat once I get onto a regular diet. I think fear of the unknown and fear about giving up my favorite foods caused me to sort of blank out ideas about how to eat. The guidebook given to me by my surgeon lists nothing but plain foods, not the recipe stuff I've always eaten, and I was beginning to think I'd be stuck with 3 oz of plain chicken or whatever day after day. I don't think the surgeon means I can't eat other things, I think that was simply the easy way to explain it. I know plenty of healthy recipes, but I couldn't visualize them in my post-op life. You've helped me a lot!

Awesome transformation!!! Congratulations!!