Happy fourth birthday to my LapBand! It’s changed my life. Am I at my goal weight? No. But I am 107 pounds less than I was before surgery, and absolutely everything has changed. My blood pressure is under control. My knees don’t hurt as much. I’m off of all NSAIDs and painkillers. No more s leep apnea. Cholesterol normal. Blood sugar normal. I can walk for miles. I can take the stairs. I can wear normal shoes. My closet has a much narrower range of sizes, and I wear nearly everything in it. I own a pretty bathing suit and I swim in public.

When I stopped overeating I began to feel my previously numbed feelings. I divorced my emotionally abusive husband. I put down all alcohol and p ills. I had 2-1/2 years of therapy. I joined self help groups, and still go.

I bought a new house and started over. Last summer I got brave and started online dating. (Meeting a new fella tonight.)

Would I do it all again? In a heartbeat. Does the LapBand fix my brain? Heck no. This is still hard work and it always will be. But it does help me physically. I’m not hungry all the time. With that hunger gone, I can more effectively work on the mental and emotional issues that drive me to f ood.

To all newbies, I just want to say I’m a happy bander. Good luck to all of you.

Congratulations on your band b-day.

I too appreciate my band and how it has allowed me to change the way I look at what I choose to put in to my body and how it feels good to be active again.