Hi all! I was asked to introduce myself, so here goes.

I was banded in August of 2002 by Dr Kuri. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area(Napa area to be exact). My starting weight was around 285 and I am currently in the low 200's. My weight loss journey has been slower than most because I took about a 6 month hiatus from weight loss last year as I tried to get pregnant via in vitro. It didn't work and I got back on track..so over the 2+ years, my weight loss looks abysmal..but 75lbs down is nothing to sneeze at and I have not gained an ounce in two years, which really was my reason for being banded.

I considered myself a foodie..I am not really an emotional eater as much as just loving good food. Living in Napa, we have access to the best wines and gourmet foods and food just taste good. I never liked diet foods, fake fats, fake sugars..so I eat all the real stuff, but in moderation. I don't do low carb, low fat, hi Protein or any of the other crazy extremes out there. Balance is really key. I know if I eat real ice cream, it slows me down, but I am willing to accept it. I make choices based on what I am willing to compromise and it works for me.

I have no idea where my body will land at a "goal". I have been overweight my entire life and never dieted fully down to a goal weight. If I go by the height/weight charts, I would still have another 60+lbs to go..seems impossible, but we'll see. I am a comfy size 12/14 currently so I no longer really have to shop in horrid fat clothes departments or shops anymore. I want my clothes to be well fitted..not sloppy tents.

Let's see..how has life changed? I didn't really have any major co-morbidities or take any medications that I can say I no longer take. It is just easier to move around...I always liked to hike but at close to 300lbs at my highest, it was harder to do. I think most of all, I feel more "normal" in the world. People notice me more as a person..not as a fat blob. I don't feel that I take up more space in the world than I should though I am still considered "obese"..just a much smaller obese!

Because my journey has been slow, I have now gone through several seasons of clothing changes which is good and bad at the same time. This is my 3rd winter being banded..the 1st I was just down about 30 post lbs but by the 2nd, I needed a new winter wardrobe and THIS year again..all new clothes..same for summers. You learn not to get attached to clothes you won't see around the next season. No favorite sweater or favorite pants anymore! l look forward to the day I can buy clothes in my final size and keep them a few seasons!

As far as the "technical" aspects of my band..I have the Inamed 9.75mm band. I currently have about a snug 2.7-2.8cc in there. I have had about 7 fills in the 2+ years. Mostly with Dr Kuri, but I recently started using Dr Helmuth Billy up in Truckee, CA for my last two fills(one of which was just last week).

I am pretty new to lapbandtalk.com. I am mostly on Dr Kuri's Yahoo boards and I started my own group:NorthBayBandsters for those of us in the North Bay counties of the SF Bay Area. Ihave a bandster get together at my house this Saturday. We have small but supportive group up here.

That is about it for now. I continue on this road to weight loss..at this point..once I hit the magic 200..the rest will all be a victory!

Patty

8/13/02

Dr Kuri

Hi Patty

Welcome to Lapbandtalk. You seem to have a good attitude to the banded life and towards food. I love real food as well and choose to eat smaller portions of the real stuff so I might be a foodie as well.

I live in Morgan Hill and use-to frequent Calistoga for the wonderful mud baths...

Hi Patty, and welcome. You have done a great job, I always enjoy reading about the successes.

Hi Patty,

Great to have you here at LBT. You have such a good plan of how to use it. I live a bit north of you in Eureka.

Thanks everyone for stopping by and welcoming me in!

Looking at all your stats..you are all doing amazing!

The band definitely has its pros and cons, but as we approach the holidays, I appreciate it even more knowing that I can have some indulgences but I will not be able to go overboard and do the standard holiday gain of weight most people have! I don't believe in deprivation and will enjoy what holiday goodies I am able to, but I have found that you tend to be pickier with what you indulge in..If I put a cookie in my mouth and I don't like it..the other part goes in the trash..I don't even think about eating something I don't like just because it's there..it is quality..not quantity.

Patty

Hi Patty, thanks for posting. It's great seeing someone that's had the band for 2 years and is still happy. I'm just like you in that I refuse to diet. I enjoy food too much, and I've dieted too many times to know it only makes me fatter in the end. There is a table full of goodies in the kitchen right now (at work.) Last year I ate my way across the entire table, but this year I'm picking and chosing which goodies I'll endulge in. Today I ate fudge for lunch. I usually have something healthy, but I'm not saying no to fudge!

Delarla! I wouldn't say no to fudge either! Yumm!! Glad I am not over there now! My husband's grandmother makes homemade fudge at christmas, but we won't be spending t with his family this year so I will miss it..oh well..

I am just so happy to not worry so much about gaining weight and backsliding as usual..I know I COULD still gain weight with the band..but so far..no matter what I eat..that hasn't happened. Has it slowed my weight loss? Sure! But I am happier not to go up rather than stay the same!

Enjoy the fudge, lucky girl!

Patty

Patty, what a great post! You sound like an excellent Bandster! 75 pounds gone! That is amazing! And what you said about eating quality - not quantity, not getting attached to clothes, being able to enjoy the little splurges, being "normal, and not a "fat blob" is spoken like a Bandster that has her head on straight. Keep up the great job!

Patty,

Thank you for taking the time to introduce yourself. This board lacks a high number of members who have had their bands 2+ years so it is nice to hear from long-term bandsters. I think you have done a wonderful job. Have a great holiday, Teresa

I really do try to make good choices for the most part. I'm lucky that I love salads (probably my favorite meal.) I'd like the better if someone else did all the chopping though. I have gotten pretty sloppy lately, so I want these holidays to be behind us along with all the tempting goodies.

Oh gosh! Salads.....sigh...I MISS salads...big crunchy salads filled with all kinds of wonderful things! I have a really hard time with salads in general since banding. A few bites here and there for the most part on occasion..but not a whole salad! I miss that more than pizza, bread, Pasta and all the other things I have trouble eating. I get bites here and there of these things, but I would love to one day be able just to eat a whole cheeseburger..bun and all..and not just the meat picked off..or a whole lovely gourmet sandwich bread and all..or a big fat salad with all the fixings!

Siggh........

Patty

Poor Patty,

That is awful that you can't have salad. It is so weird how everyone is so different about what they can tolerate. I can eat the biggest salads when I put my mind to it. My problem is I love the dressing a little too much. I have had to make compromises about it. I know others who can't have salads though. I definitely don't do buns. I actually feel happy and lucky about that though. I have an excuse to eat JUST the yummy things in sandwiches and burgers. LOL... Best wishes, Teresa

Welcome Patty! 18 months here, minus 67lbs. I feel alot the same way as you. As long as I'm headed in the right direction and not gaining I'm so much better off! Glad to have you join us!

Its so great to hear from people that have been banded for a few years & that they are so successful at their weight loss! Most importantly that their health is good. way to go I hope you hit your goal of under 200 really soon!

Thanks everyone for visiting my "intro"

Since I joined this list in mid December..I am happily down at least another 10lbs. Dealing with quite a snug fill ove rthe holidays was a challenge..but I am sooo much closer to 200..I can taste it..just a few more lbs to go!!

I now have a goal to get down to at least 175-180 before September..that would be another 25-30lbs..because we are booked for a cruise in Tahiti!! Wahooo! I would be happy to go at the weight I am now..heck..this is 30lbs lighter than when we honeymooned 5 years ago in the south pacific..so I am already ahead of my wedding weight..but having a goal to get on the other side of 200 in 8+ months is doable!

Patty

Hi Patty, I got banded about the same time you did....September 9, 2002. I've only lost 60 pounds, but have been working also with a very underactive thyroid. I'm just happy to have THAT 60 pounds gone and I have 40 more to go.....slowly! I've accepted that I will be slow and I stopped comparing myself with all of you who lose so quickly.....I'll be the turtle...I've always thought they were cute. I haven't had a fill for awhile, so will be getting one soon. I have just recently found this site and get so much from all of you. I wish I would have found it soon after the band, but will surely continue to take advantage of all the encouragement, etc. I've also learned that the QUALITY of the food is what I yearn for......I get myself in trouble when I go for the quanity. Good luck on your goal for Tahiti in September, Patty.......I'm sure you do it! Thanks to all of you, I really enjoy reading your posts....they are definitely QUALITY!

Bye for now, Suzette