Hi there.. found this site by accident... but here goes:

I was banded in August 2001, OMG.. has it been over 8 years?? where did the time go? Where did the fat go?

It hasn't been easy.. nothing worthwhile ever is. I have had NO complications... knock on wood.

I started over 400 pounds... 413 ... the number escapes me now... I don't like to think about it.

I lost weight... did I lose all i wanted in 8 years? funny you should ask.. in 2001, my goals were different. I wanted to be thin.. in the 100's... normal!

Funny thing happened along the way.. I found out that normal is not a number on a scale.

I had a handicap placcard.. I walked with a cane, husband pushed me in the wheelchair on the long hauls... and I was oh... 35 years old. How sad.

2 years ago I completed a TRIATHALON... not bad for someone that needed a wheelchair to go to a mall eh?

Thats success.. its not measured by a number on a scale.

But, for those of you who think it is.. My Triathalon weight was 248... I said when I broke 250, I would do it... And I did.

I lost 165 pounds at that point. My weight now... 235. 13 pounds lower.... ok, so I lost 13 pounds in 2 years. not bad, considering I am happy where I am. Do I want to be 198? Sure I do... Do I need to be? No

My band is fickle... it never allows me to eat before noon. PB... Ahhhh don't ask... we prefer the initials... BC... Barf Cup... I ALWAYS have one... driving, watching tv... they are never far away. Insane? maybe.. too tight? maybe... too lazy to chew my food properly? maybe... too set in my ways to know that if I eat bread it will come up? maybe...

But know this... if you work it, it will work for you. Its a matter of a journey... you must take the journey... you must talk to your band, and know your body. Only once you have come to terms with what it can and can not do for you, will you be truly succesful.

I can eat icecream.. I can eat chicken fingers when they are doused in food lube.. 900 calories of ranch dressing... if I did that every day, well... you get it.

I can go on and on.. but I have to go cook dinner, cause all this talk about food makes me hungry. In the head. Kielbasi tonight... which I will attempt. With the BC close by, how can I lose?

Donna

Banded by Dr. Abkin, Morristown, NJ

8/01

Wow, thank you for the post. You are an inspirationa nd you keep it real.

Thank you!!!!!

Great post Donna, Thanks. I totally agree with your concept. I have had the band for over a year now and have never kept it so tight that I couldnt eat what I wanted. I entered this trip with the idea that I dont want to be limited to any foods and be on a "DIET" for the rest of my life. I am using the band to help me learn

to eat health and in moderation.

I wish you all the best..._

Way to go...what an ispiration you are. I like that you are so candid about it. I like that you know it's not magic. Congrats on your triathalon! Keep up the great work.

What a great post. I like how you write as well.

Rock on! Wheel chair to triathalon is amazing.

I'm duly impressed.

Fantastic... thank you so much for writing in.. great post! and mega congratulations on attaining your Triathlon!

WOW!

Thank you so much for inspiring me. Your attitude is one I hope to adopt after I'm banded.