Happy 64th to me!

[BillOh 13]

Happy birthday to me! My 64th and one year until retirement! The email from this forum reminded me I haven't been here in awhile. I was 275 when I had my lap band back in May of 2009. I got down to my goal weight of 195 by the end of that year. A few times I've slipped back and went close to 240. The band, which I guess they don't do anymore, has been a great tool, but diet and exercise sure played a big part. In 2011 I ran my first of 7 marathons, had to give that up after back surgery in 2014 and I've taken to cycling, which almost killed me in 2020. (But hey the lady that hit me ended up buying me a new camper to use in retirement :) )

I definitely learned I was a stress eater and just knowing that helped. In 2020 because of covid my work moved to home, and I've been in my basement most of the last 3 years. Not going out to lunch everyday helped and adding 1-2 hours back to my day I was able to get out more. Today on my 64th, 14 years after the surgery I'm still at my goal weight of 195, but over the winters I've snuck up to 205-210 a couple of times, but hoping in retirement (huge stress relief) I can get outside and do things to keep me away from food and snack more often. Just came back from a busy one week vacation where I lost 5 pounds because we were out doing things!

[summerseeker 1,863]

50 minutes ago, BillOh said:

Happy birthday to me! My 64th and one year until retirement! The email from this forum reminded me I haven't been here in awhile. I was 275 when I had my lap band back in May of 2009. I got down to my goal weight of 195 by the end of that year. A few times I've slipped back and went close to 240. The band, which I guess they don't do anymore, has been a great tool, but diet and exercise sure played a big part. In 2011 I ran my first of 7 marathons, had to give that up after back surgery in 2014 and I've taken to cycling, which almost killed me in 2020. (But hey the lady that hit me ended up buying me a new camper to use in retirement )

I definitely learned I was a stress eater and just knowing that helped. In 2020 because of covid my work moved to home, and I've been in my basement most of the last 3 years. Not going out to lunch everyday helped and adding 1-2 hours back to my day I was able to get out more. Today on my 64th, 14 years after the surgery I'm still at my goal weight of 195, but over the winters I've snuck up to 205-210 a couple of times, but hoping in retirement (huge stress relief) I can get outside and do things to keep me away from food and snack more often. Just came back from a busy one week vacation where I lost 5 pounds because we were out doing things!

Amazing, thank you for sharing, I had my 64th last week too. My new body feels so much younger but my knees give me away.

[BabySpoons 534]

Happy birthday!! I hope you don't plan to pull that camper with your Mustang. LOL

[Midwest Grateful 48]

Happy Birthday, BillOh!!!

Way to go on your continued weight loss. Retirement is just around the corner. Enjoy!

[catwoman7 10,881]

7 hours ago, summerseeker said:

Amazing, thank you for sharing, I had my 64th last week too. My new body feels so much younger but my knees give me away.

It seems like most years I lose about 5 lbs in the summer and then gain it back in the winter. Rinse and repeat. I'm sure it has to do with just being out and about more. Plus I tend to eat lighter foods in the summer, too.

[BillOh 13]

7 hours ago, summerseeker said:

Amazing, thank you for sharing, I had my 64th last week too. My new body feels so much younger but my knees give me away.

My knees, somehow, are the best part of me!

[BillOh 13]

4 hours ago, BabySpoons said:

Happy birthday!! I hope you don't plan to pull that camper with your Mustang. LOLI forgot the mustang was in my profile pic

[Rjc0704 9]

Happy belated 64th birthday! I sure hope you are stressing less and less as you inch through the home stretch to retirement! Congrats on your weight loss achievement and continued success. Thanks for sharing your journey!

Yes, there are still surgeons who perform Lapband. I just had a consult last week. I've spoken with a few doctors how are against the other radical, irreversible procedures. There is more money in these than lapband and many of them have abandoned their lapband patients altogether. Even if I were a candidate (My BMI not high enough) I would NEVER consider removing stomach after watching my sister slowly waste away to nothing and die over a course of 5 years because of a botched procedure. Countless doctors and nurses at her bedside ICU would tell me they wished they would stop doing these surgeries because there is nothing that can be done to fix complications once they arrive.

I have to do self pay for the procedure and they can schedule it pretty much anytime. My only real concern is additional out of pocket $ for complications such as rejection, slippage, dilation, etc.

You're success and happiness is great to know as I contemplate taking the lapband leap! Thanks and best wishes!