Greetings, New Yorkers!

My name is Julie and I just celebrated my one-year bandiversary! Yipeee! I had my surgery in Cooperstown, New York at Bassett Health Care. They have a 3 year-old bariatric program and do both the bypass and the band. I am SOOOO glad I chose the band.

I am incredibly happy with my results. I have lost 125lbs since starting the program, and am down 160lbs from my highest ever weight. My BMI (which started at 43) is now 26, and I'm down from a size 26/28 to a size 12/14. I have attached (I hope) a before/after picture to this message. I am 43 years old and am 5'8". I love my band. I can't even begin to talk about all the major, positive changes that have happened in my life as a result of this life-saving procedure!

Beyond my weight loss... here's a little more about me: I am happily married to a wonderful, supportive man. I work in the field of substance abuse prevention and provide workshops all over New York State (including Port Jerivs!) I sing professionally in a contemporary Christian band, and play keyboards and woodwinds as well. I don't have kids, but I do have poodle . I'm originally from Georgia... so, I am COLD ALL THE TIME! And now that I've lost my insulation, I'm even colder! I am currently working on my PhD in Psychology and hope to have my dissertation completed by Christmas.

I look forward to chatting with other New Yorkers who have the band!

Hugs,

Whoa Nellie!!! You look great!! You should post those on our Before and After thread...here's the link if you haven't found it yet...

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=4642

So, welcome to LBT! So glad to have you here! And congrats on your GREAT weight loss success! Oh, and the other stuff too. I suppose a PhD and having professional grade musical talent, and owning a poodle and having a supportive hubby are all standing ovation worthy as well. Anyhow, congrats!

Hi Julie... wow.. congrats on your amazing weight loss!!! Your beautiful lady!!!!

I am from New York... Long Island...I am 7 weeks post op and still waiting for a good fill...

Its nice to meet you!

Thank you Kathy and Kathy! You're sweet! I would LOVE to post my pictures on the before/after forum... but I can't figure out how to make the picture show up without having to click on a link.

So do you actually know where Oneonta or Cooperstown are? I live in Oneonta. I've been here for 13 years.

The last time I was on Long Island, I took the ferry over from CT. Is was a nice ride. I must say, it IS a long way from Oneonta... including the Ferry ride, it took me 6 hours to get to my destination.

Oh... and I did notice that we're all 40-something! hmmm.... not getting older, but getting better? Yeh.... that's about right!

Hugs,

Julie, if you post the link, one of our very talented Moderators (Penni) will somehow magically make it appear. She does that with all the folks who can't figure out how to do all that. Mine came up, but it was an accident! Ha! Really though, she'll get it fixed for you. Just post it there, too.

I don't know anything above Washington DC. Ya'll are talking Yankee to this ole Southerner...that's okay, Julie, surely you remember Georgia enough to know I'll just smile and be so happy for you two talking directions I have no clue about!

And my 40's are getting better by the pound! I just turned 40 this month, it was one of my deciding factors for getting banded. I dreaded the thought of going through this wonderful decade of my life struggling against hope about my weight. So here I go!

Hey, other Kathy, I'm 7 weeks post-op too. April 8th, you?

OH! You two need to look up the East Coast Bash, it's in September, I think. Check for it in the NJ forum. Or if you don't find it I'll bump it, let me know.

'Night all!

Welcome to LBT and thanks for sharing your awsome weight loss.Congratulations on your 1 year bandiversary!!!

Hi Julie....

Yes.. I know where Cooperstown and Oneonta are.. I have in-laws up near Binghampton and Pheonix... I have been to Cooperstown.... many years ago... when my kids were really little.. they are in there 20's now... my little one is 10...

So.. we are all 40 something... cool... yep.. just gets better and better huh!

Hey Other Kathy! I like your cute new pic avatar!

Hi Back at YA!!... it took me a few.. but I figured out how to post it... actually how to reduce the pic to be able to post it... LOL

Wow! I was just looking at your pictures - what a difference! I can only hope to look so amazing! Congratulations.

I am about 2 hours east of you - in orange county, ny. My son goes to Binghamton University so I do visit pretty close to you.

What was your secret with losing so well what did you eat can't believe it congratulations

HI there Eileen! Wow... I didn't realize anyone was so close! I do some work down in Orange County every now and then. Actually, in two weeks, I'm going to be doing some work in the neighboring county, Sullivan. I tootle down through Delaware County to Roscoe and then take 17W over your way.

Thanks for your kinds words about my before/after. I'm pretty amazed, myself. The band, by the grace of God, had been miracle!

Hugs,

Hi Flower,

Early in my post op life, I was VERY, VERY compulsive. I was soooo afraid that I was going to harm my band or my pouch. So, I think I was very hard on myself for the first half of the year. I was hungry a lot. As I relaxed into living with my band, my weight loss slowed down. But, that was okay with me. The rapid weight loss was not a goal of mine. As a matter of fact, one of the reasons I selected the band over the RNY was the moderate rate of weight loss.

My continued success has to do with following the rules of good bandster eating:

1) Eat slowly, chew well, and take small bites

2) Eat Protein first

3) Eat veggies second

4) Limit pastas, rices, sugars and breads

5) Limit snacking to one or two PLANNED, low-cal Snacks a day

6) Drink 64oz of Fluid a day

7) Stay away from soft/mushy food

8) Stay away from liquid calories

9) No drinking with meals or for at least 30 minutes after.

10) Stop eating when your tummy says you're satisfied.

I hope that helps. I'm sure you've heard these things before... but they're the rules that helped me get to where I'm at.

Hugs,