Hello everyone. One year ago today I started my 3 week liquid diet to prepare for my lap band surgery. It was both one of the most exciting and scariest days of my life. At that time I weighed 360 pounds, had severe sleep apnea and just felt lousy in general. I was unmotivated and my world revolved around my lazy boy chair and my office chair. I was in a major rut in my career, and if I was to be really truthful only had a few more years left to live. Twelve years previously I had lost almost 130 pounds and gained it back with in four years so I knew how difficult the change would be.

Today I weigh 213 pounds and I can't remember when I felt this good. I walk an hour everyday and have so much energy to burn. My sleep apnea is gone and I feel in total control of my life again. My marriage to my wife has never been stronger and now I am get ready to embark on a career change that I should have made five years ago. This surgery has freed me from my prison of obesity.

What have I learned this time that I didn't know when I lost the weight last time? The most important thing is that this is a lifestyle change and not a diet. This will never end to me. I just eat less than I did before. Sure sometimes I give into my cravings, but instead of eating a gallon of ice cream at one time, I eat two scoops. Everything is in moderation. I am what most people would call a fussy eater. Very much of a meat potato guy. I am a little more careful than I used to be but I can still eat all the same foods (but in much smaller portions) I did before with the exception of carbonated beverages. I really believe switching from a 2 litre Diet Pepsi to Water made a huge impact on my success. I have also learned to forgive myself when I slip up and have a bad eating day. Before if I messed I would use it as an excuse to sabotage my progress and go off the wagon. Now if I have a bad day I just start back fresh the next day. Even people who are natural thin have bad eating days but they don't let it become an everyday thing.

I have been very lucky as I have had very few side effects what so ever. The three week liquid diet was the hardest part, followed by the first three weeks after surgery. Since then no problems what so ever. I have only PB'd once and probable only had a dozen stuck episodes when I forget to slow down my eating. I have deliberately kept my band relatively loose 3cc in a 14cc band because I was afraid to have it too tight and experience a lot of the trouble I have seen some people go through. I just keep it tight enough so I can go 5 hours with out hunger pains and it has worked for me. I use it like a tool but not as the only means to succeed. It won't cure your head hunger or your cravings, but it will keep the hunger pains away.

I am now 13 pounds away from my goal weight so I have been slowly trying to adjust to more of a maintenance mod now. I really feel that I have a toll that can help me succeed going forward. I am going to attach a before and after picture that was taking about 6 weeks ago. I know some people like these pictures as motivation so I hope it helps. Thank you to all the people on this board who provided me advice, especially in the scary beginning stages. You all helped reassure me. Thank you.

Holy crow! You have had an amazing transformation! Way to go! Looking good!

"prison of obesity"

I'm using this phrase! I aint askin, I'm doin it

Yes, we love our pictures and you should be proud of yourself as I know you are. Amazing what this does to our confidence!

omg what a transformation, you look GREATTTTTT!!!!!! keep up the fantastic work, such motivation!

You look amazing. Great job!!!!! Live seeing the before and after pics side by side.

Congratulations!!!!!! You look great!!

Amazing! Congrats on your life change.

I'm in awe. Your story is spectacular as are your pics.

Well done the difference is amazing ! you have done extremely well and its great to hear and see how others are doing . This journey is not always easy but is certainly helped by hearing inspirational stories like your own and receive help and advice from others on the same journey thankyou for sharing your experience with us .

Congrats on a job well done!!!!!, and thanks for coming back and sharing your success story. I think I remember we talked about a year or so ago.

Best wishes for continued success!

@@wadeg7 What a wonderful job you have done and not just at losing weight!

You have changed your life in such amazing and powerful ways and I loved reading your story.

You are truly an inspiration….not just for the pounds you've lost but for the attitude you have developed towards eating and giving yourself a break on some days. I feel like you were speaking to me…so I thank you for that!

You look amazing and yes, seeing the pics always adds that element of WOW…..

Continued success and happiness!

Absolutely amazing. You have a lot to be proud of.

Wow! What an inspiration. I'm 4 weeks out & just starting my journey. But your story & others like it help me so much. So happy you have your life back.

Wow !!! I literally don't think I would of reconized you as the same person in the 2 pics if you had'nt told me ! What a major difference ! You look great! So happy and healthy ! Congratulations ! ( p.s. - its nice to have a supportive spouse, is' nt it ? I' ve got a keeper too ! )