Well friends,

A year ago, I was sitting in a motel room in Mexico..Monterray, wondering if I was going to get my surgery the next day, (due to a communication snafu with my "liason"). I remember being calm and determined. I was mentally ready and didn't want to be disappointed by having to reschedule.

Fortunately on the 16th of January 2007, I began this wonderful journey. I have been given a gift and I have hope of a different type of future. I feel better about myself and just feel physcially good.

I will weigh in tomorrow but it will be a bit skewed due to TOM but....I'm over 50 pounds down. I've no doubt that I will continue to lose (novel idea there, huh?) I will take my measurements and see what that is after a year.

I had hoped to be at goal by this time but I guess it was not to be. I'm absolutely NOT disappointed in what I have lost to date. I do get envious, but we all have our own paths and mine is what it is. I think why I handle that so well is knowing that my eating and exercise routines are now lifestyle and over time, this will all work out and I'll be where I want to be.

I am left with the feeling that 2008 will be even more exciting that 2007 was...and that is truly saying something.

Thank you all for being there and being supportive with kind words, sharing your journeys, trials and tribulations, and occasionally some butt kicking.

Shawn

Congratulations Sula. I hope I can post a similar post next year at this time, I'm 1 day post op. I've passed the "what on earth have I done" phase and looking forward to the coming year.

Well done on your loss, I know it isn't easy.

Jen

I'm down a total of 56 pounds. I've lost over 10 inches on my waist, and about 8 on my hips. Not too bad, I'm thinking, for a year. What a great time.

Shawn,

It does make you stop and think, doesn't it? Your journey will continue, and you will get to whatever goal you set, as will we all. It goes so slowly now for me, that I feel certain it will take 2 years until I am at my goal....but as you say...individual journeys, and that's ok!

Tomorrow is my bandiversary. Had to check my Outlook to verify! Seems like eons ago, doesn't it?

What has changed? What hasn't?!? My habits are slowly becoming that...habits. I have been so intensely self focused this past year, which is a little bothersome. But maybe necessary to really change what was slowly destroying me...my weight!

So many thoughts running through my head about this past year...I am thankful for my lap band buddies.

And oh yeah...my waist has changed...dramatically! 20 inches gone. That was the only measurement I took back then, as I dropped the tape measure and fainted after measuring my girth.

Cindi,

You have done such wonderful things for yourself this past year. 20 inches off your waist..holy moly...that is terrific. And look at your weight loss...truly remarkable.

Don't you think that part of "our" problem is that we were so other focused that we lost ourselves in the process. I equate that to...I need to do this, this, this, and then if I have time, I'll exercise, or whatever. I never made me the priority (well, not "never" but not consistently.)

I think it a triumph that we can focus more on ourselves, and still keep a balanced life with others and other obligations to some degree.

My bandiversary was Saturday 1/19. I was disappointed because I did not meet the goal I had set for myself (100 pounds lost) but I regrouped and I am happy. I am grateful for what I have accomplished. I can not even begin to imagine where I would be today if I had not decided to have lap band surgery. I feel better, I look better, I am exercising regularly. I am down 78 pounds since I started my journey (15 pounds pre-& rest is post surgery). I was a size 26 on surgery day and today I am an 18 moving into some 16's. I have had to buy all new everything including bras and panties. My blood pressure has been great and no blood sugar medicine. I can even see my knee caps and collar bones now. I did make another goal for myself of losing 30 more pounds by my 40th birthday on 8/14/08. I will try my best to meet it but as long as I continue this journey & don't relapse, I will be happy. If there is one thing that i have learned is that everyone is different and has different band experieces.

Happy Bandversary~ may 2008 be great too!

Sula, Thank you so much for such a beautiful report, you are a true inspiration!

Chrishell, way to go. I think you have done fantastic wuth your 78 pound loss. I do think we need to keep our mind on the long haul, especially when we have a bit more to go to goal.

Shawn - I missed this post earlier, but Happy Belated Band Anniversary. What a difference a year can make! Just think, next year what changes we will have made. I'm hoping to finally be at goal by then!

my band anniversary was january 17th, and when I went in to get weighed and get my fill, I had lost 90 at that time. Now, I'm at 110. Im proud

my band anniversary was january 17th, and when I went in to get weighed and get my fill, I had lost 90 at that time. Now, I'm at 110. Im proud

As you should be! That is great!

I went for my 1 yr, 1 month appointment today...no fill. I am FINALLY at a good restriction level, to where I am now pretty much forced to eat as a bandster, by the band, as opposed to willpower...make sense? Now, bread, rice Pasta, coated things, fried wonderfulness, real fiber-y things, chewy raisins, corn, all give me grief. And, I am virtually never really hungry, and always feel food in the upper stoma.

Slow learner here, but it makes better sense why they got me to this point slowly.

my band anniversary was january 17th, and when I went in to get weighed and get my fill, I had lost 90 at that time. Now, I'm at 110. :thumbup: Im proud

I saw your before/after pics - you look GREAT! You were banded 1 day before me, so we're "almost" band twins

Congratulations on your tremendous success!