I had often told myself during my journey that even if I were to ever possibly hit goal I would never post a success story. Maybe I was being modest or perhaps just really hard on myself or…just not able to forgive myself for ever letting my weight get out of control as it had. I guess a lot of it no matter how you sum it up is really just embarrassment.

Well I had a change of heart. That change of heart came because I can remember so vividly the feeling of the hopelessness and despair. At times I felt I was knocking on deaths door and that there was nothing I could do about it. So I am writing this tonight in hopes that if I can help just one person even if only one tiny bit then it is my responsibility to do so. I believe in paying it forward and giving back. If it wasn’t for the people before me that helped me then where would I be? It would be irresponsible for me not to do the same. You are not alone and there are people out there, really good decent people who can help you but YOU have to want it and at some point you need to swallow your pride and ask for the help. Help will not come to you. YOU have to seek it out.

I have told my story several times and you can read it on my profile. I lost 170lbs doing Atkins between 2003 and 2004. I went from 393 to 220 and felt great…and then I got sloppy and let my guard down and weight started packing on. I went from 220 to 488 in 8 years’ time.

At 488lbs doing day to day activities was quite a chore. My knees were taking a beating carrying so much weight on a 5’6 inch frame. I developed arthritis and serious sleep apnea. Walking from the parking lot to my office was a real task and that was even with the use of an elevator. I had to sit out in the car and have my Wife do the grocery shopping because I couldn’t last more than 10 minutes on my feet. I had to sit and fold laundry sitting in a chair. This list could go on and on about the limited mobility. My amazing Wife stood by me and encouraged me to make a change but we both knew until I was ready to commit to change it would not happen. I am not sure how many other women out there would have put up with what she did. My weight affected us both physically and mentally. I did not feel like much of husband at times and I am sure there were plenty of times she felt more like a caregiver than a wife at times although she never said so or complained.

Something had to give and it finally did and in September 2011 with my wife at my side I attended a local seminar for WLS. We listened to the Doctor discuss all the surgical options available at the time and being new and somewhat naïve we decided Lapband was the way to go. It was reversible and probably the least invasive of all procedures. I signed up for a one on one consult with the Surgeon that night. October 2011 I met with the Doctor and told him I ready to make a life change. He told me he wanted to see me lose 24lbs and work on shrinking the liver. Insurance required me to do a 6 month monitored diet so instead of losing 24lbs preop I lost 38lbs. My Surgeon was impressed and after completing all the preop requirements I finally got a surgery date of April 16, 2012. I weighed in on surgery morning at 450lbs on the button.

So there I was April 17^th and getting discharged from the hospital and all that went through my mind is why the hell did I do this? There was no way it would work and I will be known as the fat guy who couldn’t lose weight with WLS.

As much as you research and prepare for this new life it seems at some point you say OK well I had the surgery why is the weight not coming off?? This is so frustrating!!! Well apparently I had never heard of bandster hell. Bandster hell is that time from when you have the surgery to the time you actually get the necessary fills to get the need restriction to control your portions. Some very few people are lucky they have the surgery and automatically get that restriction. Not me, it took me 6 months. 6 months of frustration.

Probably one of the most difficult pieces for me to learn was patience. Lack of patience made this road even longer. I stepped on the scale almost daily these last 2.5 years waiting on a large drop in numbers that never happened. How on earth could you possibly see a large drop if you’re stepping on the scale daily? Do yourself a favor and don’t do it. To this day I still step on it daily but now it is about accountability not so much weight loss.

Always look for other measures to success. We call them Non Scale Victories or NSV’s. Losing weight is not just about numbers. For a while I was buying new clothes every other month because I was shrinking so fast. I went from a size 62 waist to a 34. I went from squeezing into theater seats to have padded space on each side.

I could go on and on here rambling about all sorts of stuff weight and band related. If you’ve read this far then thank you and thank you to those who helped me get here. I would like to especially thanks @@Alex Brecher without him I wouldn’t have a home here and I perhaps would’ve remained lost.

If anyone has any questions or comments or just need someone to talk to don't hesitate to message me regardless how personal you think your question may be.

My name is Jim and I am junk food addict. I have lost 300lbs and the lapband saved my life. 2yrs and 8 months 488 to 188.

Peace!!

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!!

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.

Hi Jim,

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

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.

Thank you Cheryl and it is good to see you.

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

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

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.

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, 201411 yr by Jim1967

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!

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.

Awesome job jim. Have a great day

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!

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!!!

Awesome. I tool feel like I'm in a dream... but no your not in Kansas...its reality. I too am loving life. Have a great time.