Hi guys!

I was banded 11/26/2004 by Dr. Christine Ren at NYU. I dropped 100 lbs and then promptly dropped another 250 in the form of my ex husband :cool2: My weight loss stalled as I moved out, changed careers, and began my life over again.

Net gain was 12 lbs from my lowest post op. I've been hovering at 202 - 208 for the past 1.5 years, and with the divorce final and a promotion, my life is as bright as its ever been and I am not willing to remain a statistic of people who DIDN'T lost 100% of their excess body weight.

I have been trying my hardest on my own to lose the rest of the weight, but I can't seem to get back into that "band mindset" where food ISN'T a friend but something to keep you alive. I don't know how I fell out of it, I do still have restriction, but I'm making poor choices. I now go to the gym regularly - but my hunger has kicked up big time, at night, where it never was before. I tried to stick to Protein shakes at night, but I feel like I am having the same relationship issues with food that I did pre-surgery.

And being 202 lbs as a 32 year old single woman is just not acceptable!

I finally decided I would wait to buy a house or do ANYthing until I completed this journey. I paid too much money, lost far too much in the past few years to stay at 50 lbs overweight. I want plastic surgery for my already stretched skin, I want to be done with this.

I have thought about my situation and my food addiction and my weight loss, and decided several key things were missing.

1. I had no support on this band journey from other bandsters. That was a mistake. Since I was in Philly and my doc in NY, I could not attend support groups. I asked my doc for emails of local banded folks but they couldn't provide it. And my life was in turmoil anyway, so I didn't push beyond that.

2. I was 2 years out and not needing monthly/quarterly visits so my motivation had also waned.

3. I really was hungrier, and able to eat bread, chicken, and basically anything I wanted.

So I decided to go back to the beginning and start all over again. I have to lose 50 lbs. I went back to Dr. Ren last week, got a fill and WOW!!! I completely forgot what the fills feel like! Holy cow. That tightness, the INSTANT loss of interest in food. I swear this thing is magical. I bounced the whole way home. She was so enthusiastic and inspirational, I forgot too how much I loved my Doctor's bedside manner. We are going to kick fat's a$$!

Anyway, so with the fill I am monitoring myself and looking for internet AND local support :party: I live in Chester County, PA. Please feel free to email me anytime. I love helping others, too.

That's my story. Sorry it's a novel, but I've been alone way too long!

These plastic surgery stories and whole band community are doing me a world of good. I can't wait to be the AFTER picture :huh2:

kate

WOW.......you've come such a long way!

You are exactly why I choose the band....it IS possible to start over, restart, kick start....whatever!

Good for you......you are an inspiration!