Hi all,

I wanted to share my first year with my band. I am writing 3 days late, but with my work schedule this was the first day I could sit and write. I was banded on July 27th 2004, and in one year I have lost 144 lbs. I went from 351 to 207. I can't remember the last time I was 207, maybe 7th grade??, but boy what a year it has been. I have learned alot about myself and the band. I consider my band as a tool, either I can use it or I can leave it in the tool box. I have learned that I need to eat protien, protien and more protien. I have learned that Water is in deed my friend, LOL. I have also learned to chew my food, and take my time. It is pretty wierd, I am the last one done at supper and I am the fullest. I love my band, right from the beginning. I woke up after having it done and said oh boy what did I do, and I think that was the shock that it all happened. I remember going back to work 3 days after surgery, and saying oh boy this is so great if I had the RNY I would be at home for 6-8 weeks, but not me I am a bandster and I get going. I have not experienced any horrible side effects. I did suffer from a bout of consitpation, but I learned water and benifiber was my friend too. I know I have along way to go. I hate it when people say how much more would you like to lose, I say another 67 pounds, and they say oh my god you don't want to lose that much more. I think well I can dream, and who knows if I will, I will keep plugging away day by day. My Doctor and I was talking and he said that I have done really well, I told him that I am happy with the results, and if I didn't lose another pound then I am healthier than I have been in 20 years and so much more energy. He said that is true but you will keep losing which I hope is true. I sometimes get discourged when I look at my arms, and thighs, and abdomen, but who knows maybe someday the plastic surgery fairy will come and visit me...LOL , but that is something I will need to deal with. I would have to say that buying clothes is fun. I can remember going to the store and hoping to see some size 32 clothes, now I go in and know there will be size 18's and how fun it is to shop.

I sometimes think this is a dream, I never thought I would lose 25 pounds never mind 144 pounds. I also am so glad I can run and play with my girls. I go for walks and hike with them, before my surgery they had to beg me to go outside, now I am saying come on off the couch and outdoors. My lawn has never been so maintained as it has been this summer. I am planning a day to go kayacking (spelling is not good) and I am planning to go on a motorcycle ride, something I have never done before, I can't wait.

I am so thankful that I found this support group and I read all the post, and everyday I learn something new. I want to thank everyone that has responded to my previous post, and gave me some awsome words of wisdom and support. So thank you all. I will post some new pictures when I can. Thank you all again, and for everyone remember that we need to take one day at a time, and we all will succeed!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you all and god bless you all

Sue

Thanks you, thank you, thank you! You are an incredible inspiration to me, as a one week old newbie bander! I love my band already, and can see how you can use it or blow it. I'm proud of you for using it, to such great effect! Congratulations, and happy anniversary! Cindy

Wow--what an inspiring message Sue! This forum is such a great place to come to and share our fears and woes...frustrations and failures, but it's stories like YOURS that really give us all hope!

Thank you for letting us share in your success!

I have been thinking about what to write or not write on that occasion of my one year anniversary too! We share the same date and similar success with the band. Congratulations to you!!!

Sue and Jane -

Congratulations to both of you on your success!! Anything over 100 lbs. is more than incredible. Sue, I enjoyed reading your lessons learned. I am finding more and more that your lessons learned are very true. I am fairly new to the band, but figured out that Protein and Water are my buddies about two weeks ago.

Once again, congratulations to both of you. YOU ARE PHENOMENAL WOMEN!!!

Tricia H

Congratulations !!!! Good Job !!!!!

Sue you are truly an inspiration to all of us Bandsters! Thanks for sharing your story!

Your post made me get teary-eyed! What a tremendous accomplishment in your weight-NSVs & Life over-all. You are a winner in everyway I hope to be someday. I do not know you BUT I am so very PROUD of you! Congratulations & continued success for a lifetime!

I'm not banded yet...still going through the process, but I must say that you are incredible. I appreciate you for sharing your journey. I have been doing so much research on the band and it is amazing to see just how different everybody's journey is. You've lost a whole person...not only in the physicial sense, but you've also lost that old person that was a slave to her weight. Now, you get to enjoy life instead of just watching it. As far as you losing any more weight, you can do it. You've proven that you can do anything. Words can never describe how proud I am of you. You represent to us a warrior in this fight and you give the rest of us hope. Thank you again.

Wow. How inspirational!!! I can only hope to have done as well as you by the one year mark. I am really happy for you.

All I can say is "WOW! You truely are an inspiration! You should be very proud of yourself, please go out and treat yourself to something very special.

Sue, what a wonderful post!! It's thrilling to see confirmation that the band can help those who are able/willing/committed to help themselves. Congratulations on all your wonderful success, and may there be many more years of enjoying life in the normal sizes!! :D

congratulation on your SUCCESS

Wow that is amazing..What a great job. It give us all hope, I can't wait to see where I am in a year...

Keep up the great work!! Share the stories that inspire us all.

Congratulations to Sue and Jane. As someone else said, you made my day!!..

I am a 5 day post op and your story is so inspirational.

You have proved you can do anything. Keep up the gresat job.

Hi All,

When you say that you can use it or blow it, what do you mean?

What do you do when you "use it" to your advantage?

What do you do when you "blow it"?

How do you avoid blowing it?

Thanks Sue for sharing your experiences : )