Today is my bandiversary... one year of banding, and 73 pounds gone (85 from my highest weight).
I'm so SO glad I found this site. I found it while doing research for a gastric bypass. I had hit a mortifying #280 pounds, wore a tight size 24, and I was desperate and depressed. I even seriously wondered if I should get a prescription for an antidepressant.
My cholesterol was creeping up, and with my taste for all things sweet, I'm sure diabetes type 2 was setting up camp. I would on occasion have sharp chest pains and PVC's (skipped/irregular heart beats), and after working a 12 hour shift my poor heels would stab with pain to the point of tears. They wanted my fat ass off of them in a big way.
One french mid-band and 12 months later... I am happy, feel healthy, and am wearing a loose size 16. I haven't experienced any of the above health issues since very shortly after banding. I am honestly joyful. I feel good, everyday someone tells me how good I look, and l'm happy about my changes.
I haven't lost much weight this past couple of months, but that's my own fault. I tend to gravitate toward creamy foods (higher calorie) because they go down easier, and I haven't totally tackled my sugar demons yet. I have certainly beat it back by huge measure, but it still gets me somedays.
After a couple of months away from it, I am once again in the mind frame to get back to the Proteinshakes and Vitamins that I seem to have taken a break from, and kick start another downward trend. I think that's the beauty of this band; I took a break but didn't loose my momentum like with regular diets. On a regular diet, when I would get bored or tired of it, I'd gain back what I'd lost and then some. With this band, I took a break and stopped losing... but I haven't gained! How encouraging is that?
This was probably one of the fastest years of my life. I can't believe it's gone so quickly. The changes have been really great, the weight loss just slow enough that my body seems to be keeping up. I've needed no additional adjustments or fills so far, and I've gotten to know so many of you!
Other than the typical banding issues... finding just how badly some foods don't like me anymore... the occasional ill timed super restriction...sliming/PB's (blech), my journey (knock on wood) has been fairly smooth sailing.
Thank you to LBT and all of you bandsters who come here and share your journeys, your opinions, your ideas, your lives, and your random but entertaining thoughts. I sit here today intestines intact, alive, and in increasingly good health. I also need to thank my surgeon and his group, because for all the rumors flying early on, they certainly did right by me.
Good luck, Good health, and may God bless you all!
Today is my bandiversary... one year of banding, and 73 pounds gone (85 from my highest weight).
I'm so SO glad I found this site. I found it while doing research for a gastric bypass. I had hit a mortifying #280 pounds, wore a tight size 24, and I was desperate and depressed. I even seriously wondered if I should get a prescription for an antidepressant.
My cholesterol was creeping up, and with my taste for all things sweet, I'm sure diabetes type 2 was setting up camp. I would on occasion have sharp chest pains and PVC's (skipped/irregular heart beats), and after working a 12 hour shift my poor heels would stab with pain to the point of tears. They wanted my fat ass off of them in a big way.
One french mid-band and 12 months later... I am happy, feel healthy, and am wearing a loose size 16. I haven't experienced any of the above health issues since very shortly after banding. I am honestly joyful. I feel good, everyday someone tells me how good I look, and l'm happy about my changes.
I haven't lost much weight this past couple of months, but that's my own fault. I tend to gravitate toward creamy foods (higher calorie) because they go down easier, and I haven't totally tackled my sugar demons yet. I have certainly beat it back by huge measure, but it still gets me somedays.
After a couple of months away from it, I am once again in the mind frame to get back to the Protein shakes and Vitamins that I seem to have taken a break from, and kick start another downward trend. I think that's the beauty of this band; I took a break but didn't loose my momentum like with regular diets. On a regular diet, when I would get bored or tired of it, I'd gain back what I'd lost and then some. With this band, I took a break and stopped losing... but I haven't gained! How encouraging is that?
This was probably one of the fastest years of my life. I can't believe it's gone so quickly. The changes have been really great, the weight loss just slow enough that my body seems to be keeping up. I've needed no additional adjustments or fills so far, and I've gotten to know so many of you!
Other than the typical banding issues... finding just how badly some foods don't like me anymore... the occasional ill timed super restriction...sliming/PB's (blech), my journey (knock on wood) has been fairly smooth sailing.
Thank you to LBT and all of you bandsters who come here and share your journeys, your opinions, your ideas, your lives, and your random but entertaining thoughts. I sit here today intestines intact, alive, and in increasingly good health. I also need to thank my surgeon and his group, because for all the rumors flying early on, they certainly did right by me.
Good luck, Good health, and may God bless you all!
Pam~