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Today is My One Year Bandiversary



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I was banded one year ago today in Mexico. I've lost 67 pounds and gained an entire life. I haven't lost any weight in months. I gained back 7, but lost 4, so for the first time in my life I’m actually maintaining weight loss instead of constantly climbing upward. It's astonishing.

I don't have a port because it got infected and was surgically removed a month after banding. I had a second port put in several months ago, but the original wound wasn't healthy enough, so the second port was also infected. In January, my second port was removed along with a huge chunk of infected flesh. My doctor said I can have a new port after November, but with all the extra bills incurred from the extra surgeries and complications, I won't be able to afford another surgery for a couple years. I've had 4 major band-related surgeries in addition to several surgical procedures done on an outpatient basis. I've had more than my fair share of complications. It's been a rough year, but I would do it all over again right here, right now.

I'm too busy at work to ramble on about how miraculous my band is, but for anyone that might be in the consideration phase, my only suggestion is stop wondering and worrying, and like Nike says, Just Do It! I'm thrilled. Astonished. Grateful. Blessed. I have hope.

Peace

P.S. Attached are some pics that Ms. Penni put together for me. That's me & Francesca in the hospital, me with a fresh band and her waiting to go into surgery. She's lost 90 pounds, I've lost 67. I've got some catching up to do, but SIXTY SEVEN POUNDS GONE ROCKS MY WORLD! And portless!

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Penni is working on more pics. I love this one in my kitchen cause since losing weight I bought a friggen Harley (at 42 years old) and that's a windblown pic of me after a hard ride! Whooda thunkit?

Here's a pic of my scar after my 2nd port removal where they had to take out a chunk of infected, inflammed tissue.

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Happy Band Day Lisa you look great and to buy a Harley and be able to do something that you love is just a WOW time in your Journey of all the good things to come.

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Here's something Ms. Penni put together. Say hi to Kitty Milo. Thanks everyone!

Today's NSV: Almost mini skirt, no hose & cha-cha sandals at work today.

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Isn't she just the cutest thing?????

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Happy Band Day Lisa!!!!! You have gone thourgh so much and have stayed strong thourgh it all.. and you look WONDERFUL!!!!!! Keep up it girl!!!

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Omg :):D:D you are gorgeous! My God!!! I actually had to do a double take when I scrolled down to the collage of pictures... I can NOT believe how awesome you look. Who the hell cares if you are portless - you are one hot looking gal!

wooohoooo! Congratulations on your first *of many* banded years!!

you deserve a standing ovation!

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Lisa,

Happy happy Band Day. And treat yourself to something yummy it just doesnt have to be for your tummy (smile)!!!

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      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
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      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

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        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

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        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

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      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
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