What have you learned as we appoach our one year bandiversary...

I still want to keep losing weight. My one year anniversary will come on January 8. I have lost 48 pounds and am so happy (doing the happy dance, can you see?) that I had this surgery. I wish I had done it sooner.

I have learned...

I still have to make choices about my foods, but I can't eat as much at one time - no way!

My restriction most likely depends on the time of day, but some days my band is fickle.

A fill will generate a jumpstart in weight loss, and then a stall.

My weight loss is better if I make an effort at exercising. I don't always do that but I know I need to.

I can NOT eat tamales, scrambled eggs or dried out chicken leftovers.

The closer I get to goal, the slower the weight loss.

What have the rest of you learned that I forgot to mention?

Terry

I don't know who said it but there is a quote...loosely translated is that our success is just a series of small successes....making the right choices as often as we can....eventually leads to new habits and a new lifestyle.

I don't know who said it but there is a quote...loosely translated is that our success is just a series of small successes....making the right choices as often as we can....eventually leads to new habits and a new lifestyle.

Thanks for adding this quote. It is so appropriate. I really like it.

Congrats on your success. I can see you are doing really well. How are you feeling?

Terry

I have NOT learned to sloooow down when I eat..I still try to inhale my food as if it is my last meal..I guess 45 years of habit die hard....I am a little over 40 pounds down, and have about 25 to go. Who would have ever in a million years known that I could lose that weight and keep it off? I still enjoy ice cream and sweets, occasionally..just not as often and not as much! I have no complaints about the rate of weight loss, and recommend the band to any person I know that is overweight! Best 18 thousand I will ever spend!

I have learned that I still have to work at this. I still have to exercise and make good choices. Granted, it is a lot easier, but the work still has to be done!

I have finally learned what true restriction feels like.

I have learned that the Bandster rules are forever - and in order to succeed, I have to get back to the basics.

I have learned that this is a way of life

I have learned that I am a success (in the works).

I have learned that being too lose is way better than being too tight. Being too tight was the worse experience of my life.

Hi All,

My surgery was January 11th, and I am down 65 pounds. I agree with everything everyone has said, and want to add:

- I have learned that this is a tool, and I can use the tool or try to work around it. When I work with it the results are worth it! I can't wait to see where I am next year at this time!

Lori

I have learned that I do have the ability to lose weight with this band. I know that I will not gain if I follow the rules.

I know that I need to eat right and exercise to keep the the loss going.

I know that, without the support here, it would have been a lot harder and I wouldn't be as far along!

I have learned that I can lose weight! I fought my weight for sooooo long and I really wondered if I was just doomed to be overweight. I have learned that I am NOT big boned. I have not learned to slow down when I eat and I pay for it pretty regularily. I have learned that I can live without bread and rice and pasta. I have learned that being 85 lbs thinner doesn't eliminate lifes issues but they sure aren't quite as dramatic in a size 14 versus a size 28!

I love my band and I love this board!

I have learned that if you do not utilize the band it will not work. I was banded Jan. 3, 2007. I have only lost 20lb. I had lost almost 40 but have continued to gain. I have only had one fill. I seem to fight this band and eat what ever I want. I am finally going for a fill after thanksgiving. I really thought I could lose 70lb the first year. Boy was I wrong. Financially I can not afford these fills, and mentally I can not stop eating!! Lots of work to do I know. I am so glad to see everyone doing so well. Happy Thanksgiving, Kellie

I love this band. I've lost 50 lbs and could have lost more except for a serious back surgery that has captured my attention for the past 4 months and sidelined my loss. I'm back in the game and so appreciative that I'm not consumed by my desire for food. I have to eat less and eat more slowly and this is such a terrific tool. I watch friends and family as they focus on their food, they are drawn to food and it takes center stage for them as it did for me most of my life. I am overwhelmed by thanksgiving that I have this tool that gives me a check, that slows the speed of consumption and makes me give up foods that I cannot get down - and - I've learned to be OK with this - food is no longer a god to me that I worship. I can't wait to see what this new year will bring.