300 pounds later....am I living a dream or is this in fact reality?

[Lola O 8]

Hi Jim,

Thank you for sharing your story. I am currently in that very frustrating period before the band really starts to work with me. Your story gives me hope, so thank you again! I am going on four months out with virtually no weight loss yet. I will work harder at being patient, which hard for me.

Congrats on your success!

[Jim1967 3,569]

Hi Jim,

Thank you for sharing your story. I am currently in that very frustrating period before the band really starts to work with me. Your story gives me hope, so thank you again! I am going on four months out with virtually no weight loss yet. I will work harder at being patient, which hard for me.

Congrats on your success!

Hang in there Lola and keep up with the follow up appointments. They're a very important part of the process. Even if you have gaps of no weight loss and perhaps a feeling of embarrassment because of it you still need to push through it and go to those appointments. Follow ups and needed fills are very important and even the slightest fill can make all the difference in the world.

Good luck!!

[oui1213 29]

Wow just read ur story. Very inspirational. Good to hear the band worked so well. Gives me hope. It seems people are telling me why didn't u have bypass or u should have done the sleeve etc.... Did not feel comfortable with those options. I am a nurse and have seen some bad stuff with those surgeries. Thank again for giving me some confidence in my decision.

[missbrown30 148]

Hi Jim,

This was such an inspiring article. Thanks so much for sharing your story. BTW, you look awesome! Congratulations!

[cheryl2586 3,053]

Jim you look great. I don't come here very often but I love to see successful people because so many times we are told we take the easy way or the lazy way out. There was nothing easy about any of it and everything you have said is true. You are an inspiration to many newly banded folks. It's slow going but it goes people. It works.

[Jim1967 3,569]

Thank you Cheryl and it is good to see you.

[dwinch 0]

Wow, thanks for sharing your story. What a inspiration .

[Desert cactus 10]

Wonderful story, I have been banded since June 27, 2013 and have lost only a net loss of 3 lb. Yes, 3 lbs. do you have any tips to share with me? a lot of people talk about the green zone but I don't know if I ever will reach that point. Congratulations on your sucess and hope one day I can say the same. One of the reasons I am not loosing weight is because I have a low thiroid but, it is frustrating. Any suggestions will be greatily appreciated.

Thank you,

Maria

[planningband07 52]

That's a great story! Thanks for posting it! My dad was about the same weight as you when he died at age 65, the fat in his stomach was crushing his organs, which resulted in not get enough oxygen. He died in about one week from the day he went into the hospital. I told myself that I would try to get weight loss surgery asap, that was about 8 years ago and I finally had gastric pLication with the laPband 8-21-14! I was not near as big as my dad, but I'm also only 5 feet tall! I have had no fills (my band is at zero) but with the plication alone I've lost about 16 lbs and I'm learning how to eat better and feeling better, too.

[Jim1967 3,569]

Wonderful story, I have been banded since June 27, 2013 and have lost only a net loss of 3 lb. Yes, 3 lbs. do you have any tips to share with me? a lot of people talk about the green zone but I don't know if I ever will reach that point. Congratulations on your sucess and hope one day I can say the same. One of the reasons I am not loosing weight is because I have a low thiroid but, it is frustrating. Any suggestions will be greatily appreciated.

Thank you,

Maria

Hi Maria,

Thank you for the kind words. My best advice would be to continue working with the your bariatric team. Even if you get embarrassed about lack of weight loss or whatever it might be you need to keep communicating with them and tell them exactly what is going on. Those follow up appointments are extremely important in keeping the process moving forward. They're not there to judge but rather to help but they cannot help without you doing your part and being honest and concise.

I have read a lot of posts on this forum about people skipping follow up appointments because they are embarrassed because they've lost no weight. THAT is so counter-productive and the last thing anyone should ever do. They're only digging a bigger hole for themselves.

Good Luck, Jim

Edited October 27, 2014 by Jim1967

[Jim1967 3,569]

That's a great story! Thanks for posting it! My dad was about the same weight as you when he died at age 65, the fat in his stomach was crushing his organs, which resulted in not get enough oxygen. He died in about one week from the day he went into the hospital. I told myself that I would try to get weight loss surgery asap, that was about 8 years ago and I finally had gastric pLication with the laPband 8-21-14! I was not near as big as my dad, but I'm also only 5 feet tall! I have had no fills (my band is at zero) but with the plication alone I've lost about 16 lbs and I'm learning how to eat better and feeling better, too.

Thank you and I am very sorry for your loss. It is unfortunate your dad did not have access to the options we have available today but you can use him as your inspiration for life change to ensure you do not go down that same path. I would bet money your dad is looking down on you and is cheering you on tell you to keep going and make the most of your time.

16lbs is exceptional and you are on your way!! Congratulations!

[soundlogik 28]

Amazing amazing amazing! You look great and you sound so happy, Congrats Jim. I am only a couple weeks out and have dropped 22lbs, I am a very results motivated kind of person so I am a bit worried about "Bandster Hell" but I guess if it happens I will just push through. Thanks so much for sharing your story.

[ladypoohbear 123]

Awesome job jim. Have a great day

[highdesertblue 70]

Thanks for sharing, Jim! i have my first appointment with the surgeon next week, and hearing success stories really help me keep up hope that weight loss can happen for me, too!

[RiskyGirl21 19]

Your story is actually a help to me. Like you I lost and gained back a lot of weight then joined a Lap band surgery. You give me kind of a realistic view of how I could be if I stick to things and not give up like you because I am almost 500 pounds just like you were. Thank You!!!