Well, my one year bandiversary date came and went on 5/27th. I am 85 lbs lighter (from surgery) and about 110-115 from my heaviest in 2001. I have gone from about a size 30 (at my heaviest) to a 6-8 in jeans and life is really wonderful. Some things I have discovered about myself, once I found myself again....

1-You have to love yourself regardless of your size. WLS will NOT cure your low self esteem issues. I was lucky to have dealt with this before I ever was banded.

2-Any food issues you may have before WLS will still be there until you resolve them. In other words WLS won't cure this. You STILL have to work on it yourself!

3-Unfortunately, the chocolate demon, if she knows your address before WLS, SHE WILL FIND YOU AGAIN! You can fight her, but I choose to give in occasionally.

4-Each size you go down, buy yourself one piece of new clothing. Whether it is jeans, a skirt, blouse, undies, whatever. You deserve it and you SHOULD be rewarded. Plus you need clothes that fit you as you are still losing.

5-Never use food as your reward. This can be a viscious cycle you don't want to start. For a reward idea, see #4.

6-When someone asks how you have lost so much weight..what's your secret.If you choose to answer at all, tell them lap band surgery and use it as a way to educate IF YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE DOING SO. Otherwise, smile and just answer that you are eating healthier, excersising more and eating less. This is NOT a lie...this is not a half truth either. It is the truth. You don't have to give out all the details if you don't want.

7-Realize that none of us are alone in this journey. There are some people who have been banded far longer than you, and some that are just beginning their jounery. Listen and gleen whatever information you need from those that have been there, and share what you know to those just now crossing your path.

8-Get a GOOD understanding that mirrors and scales LIE. They are in a conspiracy together! It is our job not to obsess about what they tell us. We need to listen to our clothes and how they fit more. Mirrors and scales love to tell us that we are not looking or losing like we think we should be...STEP AWAY.

9-If you think you are loosing slower than you should be, or going through a month long (or longer) plateau....don't look at what you have lost in pounds this week. Take the TOTAL amount you have lost from the time of your surgery, and average out your total weight loss to now. It may surprise you to learn you are right on target, even if you haven't seen that lieing scale move in forever!

10-Use this board, and the other boards you may be on to the best of your advantage. Talk about things that are going wrong so you can get some advise and help and talk about when things are going right so we may share in you joy!

I am sure as I near my goal, I will just keep learning more and more about myself and my band. This has been a wonderful journey so far and I am sure this trend will continue! Can you believe I just bought my FIRST pair of shorts in a LONG time? Size 8 thank you very much! For the first time, I have been looking forward to warmer weather so I can take off the long sleeved shirts and heavy jackets! Who woulda thought?

-Paula-

OMG how wonderful you must feel about your self. You are such a success and an ispiration to all of us here on LBT!!! Congratulations on your bandiversary and I hope I will follow in your footsteps.

WOW Paula, First Congratulations on your bandiversary! And thoes 10 tips are wonderful Thank You! You have done GREAT!!! I know one day I will be there too. Keep up the good work your not far from that 130!!! Great Job!!

I cant believe youve only been banded a yr! What a good yr it sounds like its been for u. And this is really a great post Paula! I hope everyone gets a chance to read it.

Well written, indeed. Thank you SO much for the inspiration, wisdom, and encouragement. You are a blessing.

Paula:

Thank you so much for your insight and inspiration. I was banded last week (May 25th) and I would like to lose 100 pounds. If one year from now, I have lost 85 pounds like you, I will be absolutely ecstatic. I only hope I will be as successful as you. I know that I am sure as heck going to try! Again, thank you!

Congradulations! You have done an excellent job with your band, and you should be very proud of yourself. People like you are a great inspiration! Thank you so much for your pointers!

Thank you for this wonerful post- As I approach my new beginning these are the lesson I will look forward to learning. Congrats on your anniversary & I hope your goal is reached very soon!

Oh how I too wish I could get to my goal, wow, 148, I am stuck at 158 and can't seem to go down, what is wrong w/ me, I keep sabotaging myself, I hate that about me, I have been making all the wrong food choices lately and have not been exercising any, I need to get off my butt and work out. I must work out. So how does it feel to be in a skinny body? And to wear such a tiny small size. I am super happy for you and hope I could be in the 140 something w/ you. Hope to be there soon.

I hope after my one year anniversary I have such a wonderful story to tell i never wear shorts either and dread the hot weather more body to show I'm glas it worked for you and hope all of us can reach success too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fantastic post, Paula! You are a wise woman, and I'm grateful that you shared your anniversary insights. Do you have before and after photos?

Congratulations Paula!!! Thank you so much for your words of wisdom. You are such an inspriration. I am feeling low right now and your words were just what I needed. I am going to print out your post and keep it handy for encouragement. Keep up the great work.

Thanks for that post. It was on the money. You are so very right!