I was just thinking in the car earlier about this and thought I would ask you guys to share the list of things that have improved for you since being banded.

Please let us know how long you've been banded, too.

I've been banded since early April and this is my list:

1) I've lost 21# forever

2) I've joined a gym for the first time ever and am loving it!!

3) I've reduced caffeine from 5+ servings per day to 1, maybe 2

4) My recurrent back pain is almost gone completely

5) My plantar faciaitis is almost gone

6) I have way more energy and feel much stronger

7) I move with greater ease

8) I feel sure my bloodwork will be much improved

9) I always have at least 64 oz of Water each day

10) I have reduced my alcohol intake from 6-8 cocktails/week to maybe 3 per month

11) My blood sugars are completely stable (previously hypoglycemic)

12) My salt intake is greatly reduced

13) I have hope

14) I have a bunch of new friends on LBT

15) My sex life has improved

16) I take greater pride in my appearance & self esteem has improved

What about you?

I love having gone from the W for wide size pants to size 12/10 normo pants.

I love the compliments.

I love having a healthy BMI.

I love having leftover food to take home whenever I eat in a restaurant.

I love not being hungry all the time.

I can polish my toes again!!!!

I'm still early in the journey as well, but I'm down 35 lbs from 280 to my current weight of 245. Here are a few things: (Great thread btw)

I have tons of clothing I can finally wear again that hasn't fit me in ages!

I'm no longer always the biggest person in a crowd.

I can sit in a movie theater without the sides digging into my ass!

I flew to Vegas 2 weeks ago, and the seatbelt wasn't all the way to the end!

I've always been a cocky bastard even at my heaviest point, yet now I've found a way to be even MORE cocky! Can you imagine what I'll be like when I reach my goal?! WATCH OUT!!

I played baseball this Sunday (first time in almost 2 years) and was able to make it from second to home on a single! I'm not the slowest guy on the field anymore!

That's all for now. I'm sure when I lose more the list will be much longer, but I ain't complainin! Also, this isn't necessarily a good or bad thing, but I've noticed that I have to start making my tie a bit shorter because my stomach is smaller! How weird is that?

I have to add this. Not that it was bad before, but sex has improved. I have more stamina which makes for a lot MORE fun things!!

I am to be banded next week, but have been on a pre-op diet for a week. My eczema has completely cleared out! I have never had skin this soft and smooth. It is just so...clear. I never did believe the saying " we are what we eat" but it's true! Just amazing what a huge impact food has on our bodies.

I can't hardly wait to see what else will improve as time goes by and weight falls off.

WOW this thread is awesome. I have six days left until surgery, and everyday I get more afraid. All I have to do is read these posts and I calm down.

THIS IS JUST WHAT I NEEDED TO HEAR AT JUST THIS MOMENT!

I am to be banded next week, but have been on a pre-op diet for a week. My eczema has completely cleared out! I have never had skin this soft and smooth. It is just so...clear. I never did believe the saying " we are what we eat" but it's true! Just amazing what a huge impact food has on our bodies.

I can't hardly wait to see what else will improve as time goes by and weight falls off.

WOW! That is so cool!!! I wonder what particular food it was that made such a difference? Probably wheat/carbs .... they are usually the culprit! I'm happy for you!

WOW this thread is awesome. I have six days left until surgery, and everyday I get more afraid. All I have to do is read these posts and I calm down.

....and that is exactly why I started this thread. Well, that, plus it's good for us on the other side to take inventory every once in awhile! It's hard for pre-op newbies sometimes to take such a huge step and the testimony of those on the other side is very motivating and reassuring. Good luck to you and let us know how we can help!

I keep adding to my list!! ....

I don't jiggle when I walk

I don't waddle when I walk

I am graceful and strong

I am starting to see my REAL face again!

When I lay on my back I can feel rib bones.

My 16's are fitting again and th 24's are at Good Will

The biggest change in me is the hope that I feel, the light at the end of the tunnel, the knowledge of KNOWING I will be free of this bulk that I detest..... and this time, that I WILL BE ABLE TO KEEP IT OFF! I did this for ME, I did this for my SON...... I did this for a better life.

Tracy, I think that is the best feeling. KNOWING that this time, it is NOT coming back!!!! This is the LAST time of being this size forever!!!! I love thinking about that!!!

Terri, ya know, my mom told me she noticed that I don't waddle like I am pregnant anymore. I was sooooo embarrassed!!!! I didn't have any clue that I waddled!!!!!!!! WOW, what an eye opener! I am glad that I don't waddle anymore either!!

Bump, bump, bumpety-bump-bump :confused:

"No more hoping the handicap stall is empty and if not hit my elbows when I try to move around in a stall, and praying I can get out if the door closes in instead of out."

DITTO!!!!!!!!!

I've had several people tell me they didn't recognize me at first and that they had to do a double take to see if its really me :eek:

It cracks me up when people don't recognize me and the look on their face when I tell them who I am, or if they are trying to be nice and don't say they don't know and I can tell and I play with them till they figure it out and the light bulb goes off above their head, it is so funny. I never in a million years thought I would be able to lose enough weight my ex mother in law had no clue who I was, or a guy I worked with for 16 years that had quit and hadnt seen me since surgery was asking people who I was,lol , cracked me up! I love my band!