Hi everyone,

How are you? How many fills have you had? How much weight have you lost?

And most importantly, how do you feel? Are you struggling emotionally? Physically?

Over all, I'm doing pretty well. I still struggle with head hunger sometimes, but I've lost a total of 42 pounds, exercising and eating every three or four hours, and trying to drink all the water I'm supposed to. It's pretty neat to notice the changes in my body, the difference in the way my clothes fit.

Would love to hear from you!

Debbie

February 10 people! Where are you?! Is everyone doing so well that you've all moved on? That would be great, but it would also be great to hear from you at our six month bandiversary! Come out come out, wherever you are!

Debbie

Hiya! Its been a while since I've been on and its a strange weird dream like memory/flashback thinking about how much I used this site when I was being banded back on feb 10th - I feel like a whole new person. I have lost approx 17kg (37.4 pounds) and feel fab! I sometimes feel a little disheartened when the weight loss can be a lil slow and tedious but that usually means I need a fill. But no matter how disheartened I may feel I will never get over the fact that the weight does not come back on, I'm am down to a size 16 (12 USA) from a 22, I can shop at any shop and wear pretty summer dresses, my efforts can not and will not be sabotaged - the band is here to stay, I dont hate myself anymore, I can eat pretty much whatever I want with control and moderation and not feel out of control and useless, I'm not obsessed with food anymore, I leave food on my plate without mourning it, I dont gorge, I dont ever eat til I'm uncomfortable (unless I get stuck!). I just LOVE IT! Its a strange road and can be a little unpredictable at first but once you get to know your band and you get your fill level right - its brilliant. I've had about 5 fills and am at 7mls in a 12ml band and I'm contemplating getting another fill before xmas so I dont go overboard, keeps me honest! I do very little exercise which I'm not proud of but it is remarkable that I lose this much weight without killing myself on a treadmill but having said that, I'm joining a gym tomorrow and I'm finally psychologically at the point where I feel comfortable putting in the effort knowing that I cant sabotage myself and undo my hard work.

Its so good to hear from you serenity and to know that all my ol favs are still on and we're all still plugging along. Sooooo much happier now than a year ago when I used to come on this site!

Let me know how you're doing - love to hear all the details!

Hey Shaggs,

good to hear from you! It's funny; I was thinking of sending you a private message last night, and here you are!

Sounds like you're doing great! Congratulations on the weight loss. I think I even went to your blog once, but wasn't sure how to respond, so I'm glad you dropped by this site. .

I still have a long way to go, but I feel better than I have in ages. It's amazing what weight loss can do for one's self esteem. I was musical director for a play in a local theater; I went to an amusement park, and actually fit on the rides! People still tell me how good I look, which is always nice.

It hasn't been easy; I still struggle with food issues, but I really believe I have the upper hand. It's mostly in my head that I struggle, though I do eat things that I used to consider "bad" for me. The psychologist at my doctor's office says there are no bad foods, just bad choices.

Basically all is well, and I'd get the band again in a heartbeat.

Debbie

Its funny how people make cameo appearances in our lives! You are going great guns and what a difference those (seemingly) little moments in our life make to our overall well being. The psychological stuff is really the hardest part of all of this - if only there was something to help that side out a bit! I sometimes find myself having almost out of body experiences and going for food that I know is going to really hurt me, or eating when I'm full or drinking when I just ate and I marvel at how strong our urges are to override physical harm and searing agony. Is it our need to self harm? Or is it just addiction/comupulsion? I dont know - probably never will all I know is there are parts of me I barely remember anymore and I love it! I do feel so sorry for the old me and the people around me I see struggling with the urge to eat - no one realises just how uncontrollable it is until they've had a lapband or other situation happen where the urge is almost completely taken away and you realise you never really stood a chance in the first place. Whats your biggest battle? Mine is to not nibble all day long. I'm a grazer. And also going for food when I'm bored or upset. Oh and not eating chips and chocolate cause they go down so well. Still, even when I do have a go at the bad stuff its not very much of it so I guess all things in moderation??!?! Still, I would have had a lot more success had I made better choices and eating habits.

Anyhoo looking forward to hearing from you again!

It's easy for me to eat when I'm bored, too. When I'm sitting at my desk at work and things are slow, I find myself wanting to munch on something. I try drinking Water, chewing gum, or eating something healthy, nuts, or a piece of fruit. It doesn't always work, but, again, I try to give myself credit when it does.

I think about the old me, too, the person who couldn't walk to the bank without thinking, "I can't wait till I get there!" because I was so tired. The person who ate Cookies and thought, you're fat and getting fatter, and didn't exercise as regularly as she does now, who couldn't go up stairs without getting breathless--I could go on.

Every day I get to remind myself of the changes, feel the difference in my body and my clothes.

I love my band; it was the best thing I could have done for myself.

Debbie