How has your life changed after getting the band, what improvements, emotions? Is life better for you? Are you healthier, Are you happier? Does it bother you not being able to eat whatever you want?

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR SHARING:clap2:

I am 80 pounds down, 30 from goal.

Today I feel so much more positive in life. I know weight loss hasn't solved any 'problems', but it sure has enhansed my life in only the most positive ways.

I have more energy.

I feel lighter, I move easier, I exercise much easier.

I feel positive when I wake up.

I love wearing my smaller size clothes.

I love buying size 14s instead of tight 20s.

I love how I feel, I love how I look.

I love how I don't have to think about DIETing, just focus on eating healthful foods.

I love that the band has helped create success for me.

I am so stinking happy, it is hard to describe.

I do sometimes mourn the fact that I can't eat some things. But I eat what I can and the feeling of wanting more quickly passes.

I sometimes am bothered by sliming, if I eat too fast or what I am eating isn't agreeing.

I am sometimes bothered by my port, I can feel it and it gives me the heebie jeebies.

But none of these things can over-ride the fact that I am feeling so wonderful.

In real terms, it hasnt. I had a good life before and do now, but I still have the same difficulties, how to get ahead, afford that house we want, get through my studies, get back to work, stop my growing teenage boys eating themselves into obesity, what secondary school will we send them to, can we commit to it and afford the fees until I'm working in 2 years, etc etc etc. Life is as hard and frustrating as it ever was and losing weight is not a miracle cure for everything.

What's changed - how I cope with all of that. I'm no longer lazy, sluggish and unmotivated. I have energy to spare, I respect myself and want to treat myself better so I dont live in a pig sty anymore, and I sleep better and cope with stress much better.

Going out to buy a formal dress, spying one in the window, trying on the size 14 (an American 10 to you!!!!) and buying it in 5 seconds flat, truly loving it instead of buying another darn grandma outfit that I hate but will cover me is something I havent enjoyed for many years and WOW, did that feel good!

Having confidence in how I look, although a bit sad that at 39, my youthful good looks are disappearing, lol, but knowing I will look the best I can at any particular age is wonderful.

Knowing that you've done your utmost to preserve your health and fitness for many many years ahead is a good feeling too.

So overall, my life hasnt really changed, but how much I enjoy it has.

Unfortunately, after 5 fills, I can STILL eat ANYTHING I want, and if I were to really try, I could still eat a lot; HOWEVER, I have an amazing control over my food intake now. I was an incredible sugar-consumer, and now I eat almost no sugar. I just don't want it like I used to. The lifestyle changes are amazing, and I'm SOOO much more confident. I'm hoping for a little more restriction with my next fill. I've lost 55 pounds, but I'm almost to my one year bandiversary, so I gotta get on the ball!!

I think the turning point for me was when I realised that being thin was not going to change my life in any profound way.

When I got that, I started making changes in my life. Doing things I always wanted to do, and really enjoying myself.

That was (and is) pretty cool. It give me a sense of contentment to know that if I try hard enough, just about anything in this life is possible.

Don't get me wrong, I love picking a size 6 off the rack (A US 2 or 0 I think?) and what losing weight has done for my health is incredible. But my life was good before, and it's good now. Only now, it's going to last longer, and be of a better quality.

How has your life changed after getting the band, what improvements, emotions? Is life better for you? Are you healthier, Are you happier? Does it bother you not being able to eat whatever you want?

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR SHARING:clap2:

I am experiencing a lot of the same great changes that have already been listed above. The band has afforded me the weight loss to be able to get my knees replaced. I have surgery coming up on June 15th. I wouldn't be able to do it if I hadn't gotten the band and lost over 100 lbs. When you ask if it bothers me not being able to eat whatever I want, I say I can eat whatever I want, I just CHOOSE to eat better things and CHOOSE to have a treat once in a while. I also eat to the point of satisfaction, not to the point of being full. There is a big difference. I am healthier, for sure. Happier, I'm not sure yet...happier than I was - sure. Happier than ever? No, not by any means. But getting there. Physically things are better, but mentally I think we all, somehow or another, need to work on that side of it.

I feel SO much better! I LOVE knowing that I am not always the FATTEST person in the room! That I am now a NORMAL size! Though only down to a 16 or sometimes a 14, I no longer feel that I am a giant or an elephant. I no longer feel like I have to sit in the front seat because I am to big for the back seat, and when I sit in the back seat, I no longer avoid the rear-view mirror, for fear of seeing my fat face. I love that I can feel the bones in my shoulders and seeing the new shape that my body is taking on! I love that I had to go get my wedding ring sized because it fell off my finger. I love that people speak to me in public now instead of avoiding me. I love being able to wear a regular size bracelet and I love putting on one of my husbands t-shirts and it is way too big! I love weighing less than him, too! I love that I sat on my 20 year old sons lap the other day for a picture and didn't break his legs! AND I loved looking at the picture afterwards and looking darn good in it! I can't wait to loose another 20 lbs then another 20! and to get to my goal!! I love so many things about the band that I can easily look over the things that I don't like, such as missing food... Yes, I miss it sometimes, but who cares! Being smaller is so much better than any food tastes! I do hate going out to eat and having the waiter ask what was wrong with the food! But I get over it! I hate PB'ing, but that too I can live with. I LOVE MY BAND, it is the BEST thing I have ever done for myself!!

I think my life is definately better than it was 74 pounds ago. I have been able to go off my blood pressure meds, and cholestreol meds, and if my new bloodwork is good, will also be able to go off my diabetes meds. I am healthier than I have been in years. I can shop in the misses department instead of the plus sizes. I am physically able to exercise on a regular basis, despite my severe arthritis. I get so many compliments from people on a daily basis. There are very few things that I can't eat, but many that I choose not to eat. I love that I am physically unable to eat 4 or 5 pieces of pizza instead of one. My husband says I am in a better mood all the time. I think part of that is that I am not in so much pain all the time, now that I am not carrying all the extra weight on my joints. Being in constant pain is depressing. I can do so much more than I ever could before, and I have so much more energy. It truly has changed my life.

This is a great thread! Very encouraging! Glad you started it too much of me

I am looking forward to my surgery in July (hopefully sooner) and this really lifted my spirits.

Thanks.

I love reading your posts! I am just starting my band journey, but mommatrammel you hit the nail on the head. Those are all things I look forward to. Thanks again! You are all an inspiration to me.

I have lost about 39 pounds as of last week and I have been banded since April 19th. The weight loss is from April 5th, from pre op diet. The one thing that I love the most so far is going to the closet and KNOWING that anything that is in there is going to fit. I had got rid of all of my skinny clothes last year, so I dont have alot of smaller sizes in my closet. Before being banded, I had to hang dry all my clothes so they wouldnt shrink in dryer. NO MORE HANGING DRY FOR ME!!! My clothes dont "fit" really anymore, there are hanging off of me, but THAT is a great motivation to look in mirror and see LOTS of clothes instead of LOTS of fat!! Deanna

I like the comment, "seeing lots of clothes instead of lots of fat". I can move now where before I moved so slow I was at top turtle speed. I actually wore a swim suit this weekend and didn't feel the need to wear clothes on top. I know I don't look like a blimp all the time. I have more confidence in myself and don't put myself down as much.

I do still see a fat woman at times but hopefully will change that outlook.

I have been banded for 4.5 years and life has been eventfull. I had a third child, got separated, then divorced, started dated and am currently pursuing a second career in teaching. Has the band changed my life? Yes and No. I think all of these things would have happened irregardless but how I have dealt with them. I have not been able to eat myself to death. I have a tons more confidence and energy. I have the stamina to raise 3 little boys by myself.

I am greatful for the band and the fact that it is always there to keep me in check but has it changed my life? yes and no.

Ana

Life is soooooo good now!

So many changes for the better, too many to even begin to list.

Its like stepping out of a great shadow of my life. People notice me now.

There is so much descrimination against people who are anywhere from

moderatly overweight to the extremely overweight like I was.

I now have so much more compassion for everyone having been on both sides of it.

Starting weight of 430, and now at my

three times adjusted goal of 210!

Life is so good!

Mainly because I feel good physicaly.

I haven't been banded yet (july 9th) but the process has already changed so much of my life it is almost unbelievable. I lost my dad when he was just 64 due to wieght related illnesses. I am now heading down a road that will allow me to watch my children grow and enjoy my grand kids to be able to take them to the beach and actually enjoy it instead of wearing a tank top all day wondering who's pointing at the fat guy this time. to walk into a room and not sit down because I don't want the chair to break on me (never had it happen but only because I watch out for it) . to walk down the boardwalk with my wife and not be the embarrassment I think I am to her now. goodness I can't wait !!!

PS. who needs therapy when you have a great forum like this one.:biggrin1: