I had my lap band procedure on October 2, 2006. I started out at 282 and today I am 168. I've lost a total of 114 lbs! For the first time in my life my cholesterol is in a healthy normal range. I am off the heavy duty heart medications (I had a quadruple bypass in '99 and an ICD implant in '03). My life has been given back to me. I am in tune with my body more than I have ever been in my life. I love the way I am eating. I gave up meat and have fish, fresh fruit and vegetables. I juice a lot and make fresh soups. It took me a while to learn to sip water because I realize that I was a guzzler before. I don't really want to lose any more weight but for my height, age and activity the charts say I should be 155. I don't know. I have to talk with my doctors. I never thought I would be saying "I don't want to lose any more weight." Gosh, life is good! Thank you Dr. George Fielding of New York University Medical Center :thumbup:and your team for the procedure and your wonderful staff for getting me on this wonderful journey.

Congratulations Lois, you are just the inspiration I needed this morning:thumbup:

Awesome what do you think was the best thing to teach the rest of us...

I have found that lap band surgery immediate removed so much stress from my life. Aside from the fact that I can't eat a lot, it taught me to relax and eat slowly, chew thoroughly and to sip, not gulp. As a result, I learned to relax. I've always been a fast eater. No more. And in learning to relax, I learned what made my body feel better. I gave up meat almost immediately--even chicken. I eat fish, vegetables and fruits. I have eaten some sweets but find that my body really doesn't like the sweets, fats or lactose. I feel calm, not stressed out or edgy. I lost my taste for coffee but love tea. If I were to take a bite of junk food, the minute I'd put it in my mouth to savor the flavor, I have to spit it out because I know it will not agree with my stomach. I've met other lap banders who still eat junk--even in small amounts and they don't lose the weight and have problems with their band. The band is a tool, not the magic answer. Treat it wisely and your life will change for the better.