6 year.... Bandaversery.... and still going strong

[BayougirlMrsS 3,933]

Well Good Day my fine people.... lol

Today is November 10, 2015 and today is year #6 Lapband journey end... 7 is just beginning..... Age 47, My highest weight 230, lowest 140. Now 145. 5'2" tall, Largest size 20 now, comfortable size 8, Was a 44H bra now size 34H, was a 7.5 shoe now 6.5. Self esteem and confidence... ZERO, Now... Through the roof.

History.... I was 41 when i decided to take back my health and life. I had a few friends that had the GB, Sleeve (not as popular back then), and LB..... A couple of which i worked with or had worked with in the past. One in particular was my friend Paula (LB). She was my mentor and guiding light through everything... In fact her partner had her LB the same day, so she was at the hospital with the both of us.... I had told only very few people at the time that i was having LB done. The few i did tell were for the most part were supportive. Except for the most important one... MY HUSBAND.... But, i got through the post op diet (on vacation) with only one slip and went into surgery that AM weighing 220lbs. Of course my husband said... then why do you need this... Pahhh. My weight loss was slow by most standards... but now i see it as a blessing. I followed the rules.. (except for no Mt. Dew). I averaged a few lbs per visit... and at first i was disappointed. But then i started exercising (zumba, cardio, and later weights) and it really kicked in.... i lost 60lbs the first year and 20 the second. Which i know is not a lot by some standards... but for me... i could not have been happier. My husband started to come around... he himself started losing weight and working out, sex was great too. But then his (what my gut said was) girlfriend move to Fl. and he let it all go to crap again... oh well. The sex went back in the crapper again. I won't let that get me down... life goes on and we shall see if we hit the 25 years of marriage next month.

I have done what i consider very well with my band. No complications (knock wood). I have the LB System in place, according to My LAP-BAND Journey Patient ID Card i have the 10cc band, but my dr. says its the 14cc.. I lean to believe its the 14 as right now i have 10.5cc in my band. I do stay away from the bread, rice, grits, dry meats, Pasta (as much as poss) and fried potatoes. My go to is still Soup. I love soup.... I normally eat yogurt with granola and coffee for Breakfast. lunch is normal something pretty small like a salad (have to be careful, sometime have trouble), soup, grilled something... dinner something pretty small in size... last night i ate 2 nacho chips...the round ones with Beans, ground beef, cheese, sour cream, and guac on each one.

so... truth time... I have not exercised in three years... i know, that is terrible... but it's the truth. Reason, my husband cancelled the member ship because he said we could not afford it.. But im fixing to start back anyway. I had my Tummy Tuck 2/15/2012 and i could not be happier with the results. My scar is not that noticeable at all.

My advice to new WLS patients...... Know what your getting into. Research the hell out of everything. Make sure you pick the best doctor for you. Go to support meeting before, during and after. Don't expect to go in surgery fat, and come out skinny.... WLS is not a magic pill... You will have to work at it EVERYDAY FOREVER!!! Maybe not the exercise... but the eating. Take before pictures, you won't be able to see the differences... but pictures never lie. Take during pic and after pic. Limit your weighing in to once a week or less. If not you will become obsessed with the scale. Set many small goals and an over all goal. Don't get down on your self for a gain. Just get back on track. I put back some weight and got back to 162.... and i said... no way in hell am i going to be one of "those" people who gain it back. Don't be ashamed of the journey you are choosing. Embrace the fact that you chose to take you life back your just using a tool to help. Just like a diabetic uses insulin, are a heart patient uses a pace maker... All the same stuff.

Be prepared to lose friends... some people can't handle the "new you" and will try and sabotage you. I learned that my fat friends love me fat because i was one of them and made it all acceptable. My skinny friends could not handle the new me because i was now competition in the group for attention. Your true friends will rise to the top... Trust me on this.

Remember.... Everyone's journey is different, don't judge your self by someone elses. We all gained weight for different reasons... and we will all lose it differently. Be your own biggest cheerleader...

[BritAbroad 13]

Hello! 6 days post LB surgery here!

I just wanted to say thank you for taking the time to post. I am in the phase where it is still a little unbelievable to me that my life could change and reading your post helped.

Thanks!

[Julie norton 2,850]

Great to hear positive posts from long time banders ! Best of luck on year seven????????

I'm ready to reach 9 years next month and I'm doing very well. Not perfect but I don't know what truly is perfect!

Kept 90% of my excess weight off. Going for a fill next week. Been empty for awhile and started with a small one... I think keeping my band sorta under filled works well for me long term...empty didn't work, so I am thankful for my device!!

Keep posting. It is nice to hear great results!

[Sharpie 3,306]

excellent testament to the success you can have with lapband. I too had my band surgery on January 15, 2013. I am 5'0 and possibly shorter as I age.. lol. however I weighed 200 lbs when I started my search for resolution to my health issues. I was 66 years of age and had diabetes, type 2 which was getting worse every day, on the verge of starting insulin and added problems with high blood pressure and high cholesterol. My mobility was a problem as I could barely make it around the store to shop. I spent most of my days in my recliner or in bed because my knees and back hurt constantly. After having my surgery I am a new woman, haven't felt better in many years. I still have days I am not as compliant as in the beginning but for the most part I am good, I have maintained my loss for several years. Just went back to my surgeon just for a checkup since it had been a year since I saw him last. He said you are doing good, no problems and seems like you are maintaining your loss. All I can say to anyone considering weight loss surgery, do your research and find out what you want as a long term goal. I am still extremely happy that I chose my lapband .

[BayougirlMrsS 3,933]

@@BritAbroad congrats on taking the step to change your life. I have never regretted one day. Somedays i do miss some of the "old" foods. But all in all, i don't it is now just a way of life. Remember you will get of of this process what you put in. and if you work it, it will work for you.

@@Julie norton Hey julie... just a few "oldtimers" left here. I have to admit, i liked this site better when we first got on. I miss some of our older LB family. Glad to hear that you are still doing great.

@@Sharpie I say, your never to old to take back your life. I will more people would. Which ever way works for them. Glad to hear that you too are doing well.

Keep up that great work....

[Bandista 7,466]

Great post! Thanks so much for all the inspiration. You are doing beautifully......

[lovingdavid 119]

Great achievement during all these years. You are doing great! You look amazing. Thank you so much for sharing with all of us. Lovely bikini picture ????????.

[maldonado46435 19]

I love all this stories. It has been 4 months since my surgery and all this stories keep me going. Good job to all of you. Thank you (:

[Julie norton 2,850]

I'm thankful for band posters... I try to read most of them. And really there are fewer...

The sleeve is quite the darling of WLS now and it is a bit different journey....

But yet we do all have the same goals of health and quality of life and ok maybe a bit of vainess..

Please keep posting... Sometimes this board is my daily jolt of inspiration! I really love to hear from like minded cyber friends. My gal friends here really don't want to hear the nuances of banded life. They forget over time

That I was so different pre 2006....

I forget sometimes too!

Keep reminding me ....COMPLIANCE is my word right now????

[Subie66 6]

Good post! Congrats. How's the mt dew habit??

[BayougirlMrsS 3,933]

@@Subie66 i still have it... i drink one a day.... i can't stop

[enjoythetime 1,457]

So happy for your and your success! You worked hard for every " every # and your results are absolutely amazing! Congrats!!!!

[sparkplug 106]

@@BritAbroad congrats on taking the step to change your life. I have never regretted one day. Somedays i do miss some of the "old" foods. But all in all, i don't it is now just a way of life. Remember you will get of of this process what you put in. and if you work it, it will work for you.

@@Julie norton Hey julie... just a few "oldtimers" left here. I have to admit, i liked this site better when we first got on. I miss some of our older LB family. Glad to hear that you are still doing great.

@@Sharpie I say, your never to old to take back your life. I will more people would. Which ever way works for them. Glad to hear that you too are doing well.

Keep up that great work....

Good Job, I have had the band for 9 1/2 years and it still works with no fills but had some terrible issues with work until retirement last year but had gained approximately 40 pounds back from my original 90 pounds lost. I am starting to lose it again sensibly and slowly. I love this band!!

[Julie norton 2,850]

Glad to see some of us old banders are still around....still working the lifestyle ...

9 1/2 years here and continuing ... Still staying under inflated a bit....same size for years. Hurrah.

Happy to be a size 10 mostly. 12 if cut smaller

Continuing working out faithfully 2x a week. (HARD WORKOUTS! It works better if I have a trainer pushing me. I'm too easy on myself)

Hope some others surface here and give us an update. Good and bad. There is always hope!

I miss the lap bander community input.

This has not been a linear journey... Some ups. Some downs. But I refuse to go back.

My appetite comes back if I don't use a shake or Protein Bar to minimize input... Always a balancing act...

Edited September 5, 2016 by Julie norton

[BayougirlMrsS 3,933]

well since nov... i have lost another 10lbs... down to 135. I also lost my job of 6 years and filed for divorce.... Hey, if your going to do it.... DO IT BIG....

i'm now a size 4-6... still hard to believe that i've come this far. Especially in the LB world where most everyone seems to be gaining and/or have band removed and getting sleeved.

Divorce is coming along and i have gone on a few dates..... all positive. Very up front about my band as i don't want them to think im being rude by not eating a lot. They have been very understanding and "good-for-u" about it. most are great with appetizers and drinks... I'm a cheep date... LOL

Got a new job that i stated yesterday... so far so good.....

ok..... now y'all's turn with updates....