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One year later...

tjb14

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tjb14    0

tjb14
Posted

One year ago today I weighed 240 lbs (I am 5' 3"). My BMI was 42.5. I was wearing a tight, tight size 18/1X. I exercised by walking slow and doing pilates. I was depressed. I was not a good example for my 14 year old daughter or 11 year old son. Dates with my husband was dinner.< /p>

Today, I weigh 171 lbs. My BMI is 30.3--so close to "just" overweight I can't stand it. I wear a size 10/12 dress, 12/14 pants, large/medium sweaters. I exercise by running, spinning and lifting weights. I am happy, confident, proud. My kids...well, I shop with my daughter and actually try things on in the dressing room with her and I run with my son. Dates now may be a hike, fishing or a walk on the beach We all laugh so much more.

I don't want to say it was easy...it was not...but it works. I was not perfect, but I followed the "rules" I was given by my Dr. more often than not. I was not a fast loser and it took a bit of time to accept this, but I finally let myself lose at my body's pace without beating myself up. I did not exercise every day, but I built up my endurance so that if I wanted to I could. I did/do miss the comfort of food sometimes, but I work/worked with a therapist so that this loss was not overwhelming.

To those of you banded, reading this...I want to thank you. Your questions, your responses, your victories and your humor (and even some of your "crazies") got me through this year. I did not blog but I stalked a number of blogs...Catherine (Chronicles from Band Land), Amy (Once upon a time...), Sarah (Losing Weight, Gaining Tons), Tiffani (Rocking the Band), The New Me and Lize the Loser...(just to name a few)...you all make a difference and though you may not know me personally, you made a tremendous impact on my weight loss.

To those newly banded or just thinking about it...do it. Read this site, read the blogs, follow the "rules" your Dr. sets, do your research, don't beat yourself up, focus on one day at a time... but do it. I believe with all my heart that the band works.

This next year, I look forward to losing the last 25 or so, possible plastic surgery, eating even healthier and enjoying my success.

Have a great day!! Tracy

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happy2lose    0

happy2lose
Posted

Congratulations Tracy!

Everything you have stated is very relatable.

Donna

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gbakerc    2

gbakerc
Posted

Congratulations. It is nice to hear the success stories. We tend to hear more about problems around here than the successes.

Greg

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mellabella78    0

mellabella78
Posted

Wow, Congrats!!! So So happy for you. I think what you said in your third paragraph is SOOO key. People seem so ready to give up if they don't loose quickly, and thats not how it should be. Congrats again!

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Apples2    19

Apples2
Posted

Tracy...just want to say congrats and thanks for your post. Puts it all together and hopefully will catch the eye of someone struggling or looking into having LB surgery. If you can inspire just one person by your post, you have done a your good deed for today!

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Portola Suzanne    3

Portola Suzanne
Posted

Rock on, I Luv my band!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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dementedfrog83    0

dementedfrog83
Posted

Thank you for the inspiration and gratz!! I hope to make a similar post 1 year after I get the band too!

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Catherine55    43

Catherine55
Posted

Congratulations, Tracy!!! You have come so far and are doing so great!! Thanks for the nice mention of my blog -- I am so glad that it helped! :thumbup:

Catherine

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emjay    8

emjay
Posted

Congratulations Tracy! Wow I can't wait until my bandiversary rolls around to see what I've been able to accomplish in a year. You have alot of the same mentality that I do in trying not to compare my progess with others and not sweat the small stuff. I am so happy to hear your progress and your outlook after a year into the band. Best of luck always!

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NoName-AZ    0

NoName-AZ
Posted

Great post! I am at the begining of my journey, and this web site has been a life saver for me. Becoming friends with people who can offer advice & words of encouragement means the world for me.

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Whillow    0

Whillow
Posted

Being newly banded these are the stories i like to read about...

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Go To Topic Listing POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

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    • LeighaTR

      LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.

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