MARCH 2008 BANDSTERS: TODAY MARKS 8 YEARS WITH MY LAP BAND

MARCH 2007 (not 2008)

8 years ago I was miserable, hating myself. 270 lbs and growing. I decided to have the lapband and never looked back. My earlier posts tells the story of my journey.

This year I'd like to talk about.... This year.

After losing the weight..... The next big hurdle and probably the biggest in my book.... Is dealing with headhunger.

It has been the most difficult part of the journey.

I have everything I want in my life... So why do I eat sugar (mainly) or sometimes eat obsessively. I've been working with a therapist and I have to say, I'm learning to "sit with my feelings" and not eat over them.

I've had periods of great success and periods of not-so -much success. I'm in a good routine now, working out, still using protein shakes in the morning and eating healthy meals for lunch and dinner.

I'm trying to keep this routine which allows me to stop thinking about food 24/7.

I am truly happy with my decision to get the lapband and the road my life has taken ever since. Surgery is not a magic pill. I worked very hard to lose the weight and maintain. People that don't know about weight loss surgery think it's the easy way. IT IS NOT! It's a tool to help us.

This year I went to to get full checkup on my band and all is working well. I hope to keep this going as I feel like I need one of these tools for life.

Anybody thinking of any weight loss surgery, gather info and make your OWN decision with your doctor. Not one surgery is perfect. Nor are any all bad (saw lots of band bashing going on when the sleeve came out). For me it's been great. But I understand if some had problems, the best thing is to take another route.

Anyway I hope some of the other March 2007 Bandsters check in