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

Josie, excellent attitude. We all have the same issues with food and weight loss surgery indeed is not easy. I had lapband surgery 2 years ago and do not regret it. I do get weary of the band bashers and their holier than thou attitudes if they have the sleeve. I don't care what surgery anyone chooses I commend them for taking their health seriously and no matter how you improve your life and I have everyone in my prayers. Josie I suffer from sugar addiction as well, I have gotten much better but there are times I just can't control it. I am trying to drink a chocolate Protein shake if I get a craving for sugar, it seems to have helped me.

Josie, excellent attitude. We all have the same issues with food and weight loss surgery indeed is not easy. I had lapband surgery 2 years ago and do not regret it. I do get weary of the band bashers and their holier than thou attitudes if they have the sleeve. I don't care what surgery anyone chooses I commend them for taking their health seriously and no matter how you improve your life and I have everyone in my prayers. Josie I suffer from sugar addiction as well, I have gotten much better but there are times I just can't control it. I am trying to drink a chocolate protein shake if I get a craving for sugar, it seems to have helped me.

Hey sharpie, thanks.... I think we have to keep the attitude "we've got this licked (sugar)" not literally of course ha! I also use the 12 step concept of spiritual healing. I found a book called "made to crave" which has been helpful.

One thing about websites like this.... I am ever so grateful to have had it. Alex is one of the most patient, caring and hard working people. The website was fairly new when I started. But I chose to stick with people that were positive and really kept "getting up" when they fell down. I found my lap band surgeon, my cosmetic surgeon and many great solutions to problems along the way.

I also chose not to get into it when people attacked (I think the boards are more positive now). Sometimes I felt like lashing back but held my tongue because I wanted it to be positive. My mom always said "you reap what you sew". When I jumped in on a thread, I always talked about my experience and my feelings.... How can anyone refute that? They're our own feelings (Altho some tried)

Anyway... Glad your experience has been good.... Stick with the winners....

Best regards

Congratulations on your Bandiversary! It's so great to hear from long-time banders -- very encouraging. Sometimes when the old instinct of tamping down feelings with food kicks in, I greet the feelings and try to name them. Hello, overwhelm! It helps me to know what the anxiety is about, or whatever it is that is behind my wanting to turn to something like chocolate, etc. (boredom, rewarding myself inappropriately, prepping for something I don't want to do.....). If I call it out then I seem to be able to remind myself that feeding the feelings is something I don't do anymore. But if I want a bit of chocolate or something as a treat, I don't deny myself either. Thanks for a great post.

Thanks for your post Josie. I'm two years out and have also reclaimed my life. I too am trying to get to the root causes of my overeating and emotional eating trying to give myself every chance to make this work.

I've not been this happy or healthy in many years but I know that the band is a tool and read enough posts about people who gain it back to know that I must stay vigilent for the rest of my life just like any other addict has to do.

Good to know a long term bandster such as yourself is still very much in the game and dealing with ups and downs but dealing and staying successful.

Congratulations!

Congratulations on your Bandiversary! It's so great to hear from long-time banders -- very encouraging. Sometimes when the old instinct of tamping down feelings with food kicks in, I greet the feelings and try to name them. Hello, overwhelm! It helps me to know what the anxiety is about, or whatever it is that is behind my wanting to turn to something like chocolate, etc. (boredom, rewarding myself inappropriately, prepping for something I don't want to do.....). If I call it out then I seem to be able to remind myself that feeding the feelings is something I don't do anymore. But if I want a bit of chocolate or something as a treat, I don't deny myself either. Thanks for a great post.

I like this... Naming my feelings. This makes them more real. I will try that... Thanks for the tip Bandista

Congratulations on your 8 YEAR BANDIVERSARY, my 8 YEAR BANDIVERSARY will come on 9/7/15.

After these short 8 years I have come to realize that to stay healthy I just need to make more good choices then Bad choices.