So, I am officially one year post op so I thought that I would put up a post to help me Celebrate.

I did not make my goal of losing 150 pounds, but I cannot complain about it.

Thank you to all the people here that have helped me along the way and supported me when I was just a scared little newby. You all know who you are so I will not name names as I am sure to forget someone.

I can honeslty say that shedding this weight has turned me into the person that I knew I could be. My confidence and my happiness are the highest they have ever been. The only regret that I have is that I was not able to do this 20 years ago.

Here are the stats for prosperity:

360lbs -> 225 lbs

Body fat % 60% -> 26%

suit size -> 62T - 46R

Tshirt - 4xl -> M

Happiness 45% -> 100%

Thank you all,

Andrew

Wow Andrew, congrats on your success.

I know how you feel - 100% better and loving life.

Keep up the great work!

Congratulations Andrew! You have worked hard and it paid off.

I am so very happy for you!,

Susan

Gaffer you look absolutely fantastic, you deserve to be very proud.

Thank you all for your kind words.

I thank all of you who have been so supportive in my journey. You know who you are and I really appreciate you all.

Andrew

Hi Andrew,

Congratulations! I was banded on Friday April 18th. Do you have any advice for those of us just starting the journey? Maybe your top ten tips? You are an inspiration and I'd love to learn as much as possible from you! Thanks!

I dont know about a top ten, but I will offer what I think to be the most important things.

1. You get out of the band what you put into it. You still have to eat sensibly, and exercise. We all know when we are doing this and when we are not. Do this more often than not and you will get there.

2. Maintain your fills. Not too much, not too little. I think that too many bandsters have their bands too tight. Dont do that becasue it will cause you to look for what I call soft calories. These are things like Soups, mashed potatoes and ice cream which all go through the band easily and hamper your weightloss. Take care of your band by listening to your body. If you are inflamed or had a wicked PB, take it easy with full liquids for a while to allow yourself to get better. Dont try to eat when your stomach is tender just fluids. Listen to your body.

3. Protien before carbs. Remember that protien is what will keep you full in the long run. I always eat my protien before anything else. I also like to have a protien shake for Breakfast as it is an automated meal that keeps me full for a long time. I am not into high protien diets or anything, but I think that when one is trying to lose weight protien will help you keep you lean mass which shedding pounds.

4. Avoid diet drinks. This is one that I struggle with, but I know that when I am not drinking diet pepsi I am losing weight. There have been recent studies that suggested that diet drinks hamper weight loss because they illicit the same insulin repsonse as sugar which stops you from losing weight. Drink Water it is the best thing for you. I am trying to kick my diet pepsi habit for the millionth time, but I know I have to do it to reach my goals.

5. Get your head right. This is the toughest part because there is not a lapband for the brain yet. Stay focused on your goals and why you are doing this. Dont beat yourself up if you have a set back, we are all human and there will be bumps in the road. I had a take no prisoners attitude and I knew that I had to do this for myself and my loved ones. With this, dont let people knock you off your path. There will be people that will try to take you down becasue you took the easy way out (yah right). Screw em' and dont let them get to you. The best revenge is being looking and feeling great.

That is all I can think of right now, hopefully it will put you off to a good start.

Andrew

okay, top five... I'll take it!

These are great tips. I hope I'm posting a story similar to yours in a year from now!!! Thanks for the advice!!!

I wholeheartedly agree with Andrew's tips, in particular the one about not over-filling. I made that mistake and gained almost 10 lbs eating cheese and icecream because they were the only things I could get down. Unfortunately, that's the down-side of paying one-shot and having the clinic closeby everytime you think you need a fill!

Another good tip, ala Andrew is relying on some of the valuable support and advice on this forum.

Congrats on your decision to get the band, Bettty. I can't wait for your one-year success story.

P.S. I didn't realize so many of you guys are Westerners! I am originally too!