Success..down 110lbs in 9 months and still going!
Warning: LONG! (I'm a verbose kinda girl)
I know there has been a lot of negativity on the boards lately so I wanted to "happy" things up a bit. I will say, however, that I do appreciate those posting the negatives of the band. I do believe that the band obviously doesn't work for everyone and it's always helpful to know of the various other WLS options out there for those who may be struggling or still deciding on a surgery type.
I looked into WLS a month or so after my father passed. Though he didn't die from anything having to deal with being overweight, cancer did kill him, and part of me heavily believes that his smoking habit had a lot to do with things. At his funeral it hit me; did I wanna be dead at 54? I didn't though I knew the way I was living, I surely wasn't going down the right path. Though I didn't have any serious co-morbidities, I do believe I had sleep apnea, my asthma would flare up, and walking up a flight of stairs would wind me like no other. I was sick of it and I needed a change.
I looked into WLS in April and I was banded in May 2010, 19 at the time, and started at 245lbs. I believe I lost about 12lbs during my pre-op diet and was about 230 something when I was banded. Today, 9 months and 4 days later later I'm down from a size 20 to a size 6, weighing at 134lbs. I have another 14lbs to go but today I felt like celebrating so here I am :)
I haven't had any fills, as I woke up from surgery with a restriction level I can deal with. I tell this to a lot of people and they ask why I needed the band. Simply I had NO portion control. I'd eat and eat and eat, feel like I was gonna explode, wait 5 minutes, and somehow eat some more. At 19 I didn't want to get any bigger and I wanted a surgery that would help control my portions. Though my restriction is probably not ideal for most people, I didn't want to live with a tight band where I could only have liquids in the mornings or have to deal with constant PBing. I've PBed a total of 4-5 times, due to my own carelessness I can confess. At the same time I eat 6 times a day, every 3 hours, and I am rarely hungry during that time.
I have lost a steady 1-5lbs a week, though that is of course slowing down. I started off and have stayed on a low-carb/low-fat diet though I am slowly incorporating whole grains back into my diet (ie. low carb english muffins, protein bread, etc.) so that my caloric intake goes up a bit. I don't exactly feel like I'm "dieting" as I can eat anything I want, I just know now when I can indulge and when it's time to back off and away from food.
I've seriously worked my butt off with exercise. I've done a majority of the Beachbody programs (I am working my way through P90X now) and haven't allowed myself many chances to not workout. I keep myself on a strict schedule and even though most people think I'm a total nut, the results are amazing.
Overall, I feel so much better. I feel healthy for once! I have so much energy; I want to go out and do things as opposed to sitting at home being lazy. I wasted my entire HS life keeping to myself and I do regret it, but now I do feel comfortable enough about myself to go out and live for once. Though I don't feel like an entire band-success yet, in 14lbs I will (I hope!)
Banded May 10, 2010
Onederland June 12, 2010
SW: 245lbs CW: 131lbs GW: 125ish.
From a size 20 to a size 2! Woo hoo.
Warning: LONG! (I'm a verbose kinda girl)
I know there has been a lot of negativity on the boards lately so I wanted to "happy" things up a bit. I will say, however, that I do appreciate those posting the negatives of the band. I do believe that the band obviously doesn't work for everyone and it's always helpful to know of the various other WLS options out there for those who may be struggling or still deciding on a surgery type.
I looked into WLS a month or so after my father passed. Though he didn't die from anything having to deal with being overweight, cancer did kill him, and part of me heavily believes that his smoking habit had a lot to do with things. At his funeral it hit me; did I wanna be dead at 54? I didn't though I knew the way I was living, I surely wasn't going down the right path. Though I didn't have any serious co-morbidities, I do believe I had sleep apnea, my asthma would flare up, and walking up a flight of stairs would wind me like no other. I was sick of it and I needed a change.
I looked into WLS in April and I was banded in May 2010, 19 at the time, and started at 245lbs. I believe I lost about 12lbs during my pre-op diet and was about 230 something when I was banded. Today, 9 months and 4 days later later I'm down from a size 20 to a size 6, weighing at 134lbs. I have another 14lbs to go but today I felt like celebrating so here I am :)
I haven't had any fills, as I woke up from surgery with a restriction level I can deal with. I tell this to a lot of people and they ask why I needed the band. Simply I had NO portion control. I'd eat and eat and eat, feel like I was gonna explode, wait 5 minutes, and somehow eat some more. At 19 I didn't want to get any bigger and I wanted a surgery that would help control my portions. Though my restriction is probably not ideal for most people, I didn't want to live with a tight band where I could only have liquids in the mornings or have to deal with constant PBing. I've PBed a total of 4-5 times, due to my own carelessness I can confess. At the same time I eat 6 times a day, every 3 hours, and I am rarely hungry during that time.
I have lost a steady 1-5lbs a week, though that is of course slowing down. I started off and have stayed on a low-carb/low-fat diet though I am slowly incorporating whole grains back into my diet (ie. low carb english muffins, protein bread, etc.) so that my caloric intake goes up a bit. I don't exactly feel like I'm "dieting" as I can eat anything I want, I just know now when I can indulge and when it's time to back off and away from food.
I've seriously worked my butt off with exercise. I've done a majority of the Beachbody programs (I am working my way through P90X now) and haven't allowed myself many chances to not workout. I keep myself on a strict schedule and even though most people think I'm a total nut, the results are amazing.
Overall, I feel so much better. I feel healthy for once! I have so much energy; I want to go out and do things as opposed to sitting at home being lazy. I wasted my entire HS life keeping to myself and I do regret it, but now I do feel comfortable enough about myself to go out and live for once. Though I don't feel like an entire band-success yet, in 14lbs I will (I hope!)
Thanks for posting. I love reading about positive experiences.
I haven't had any fills, as I woke up from surgery with a restriction level I can deal with. I tell this to a lot of people and they ask why I needed the band. Simply I had NO portion control. I'd eat and eat and eat, feel like I was gonna explode, wait 5 minutes, and somehow eat some more. At 19 I didn't want to get any bigger and I wanted a surgery that would help control my portions. Though my restriction is probably not ideal for most people, I didn't want to live with a tight band where I could only have liquids in the mornings or have to deal with constant PBing. I've PBed a total of 4-5 times, due to my own carelessness I can confess. At the same time I eat 6 times a day, every 3 hours, and I am rarely hungry during that time.
Oh my gosh I am the same way so far I had my surgery 3 months ago almost and I got the restriction I need and it is working for me also. I am the same way I just had no portion control it wasnt that I ate bad foods all the time actually I cooked very healthy at home because I didnt want my son to end the same way but I just had no portion control. Instead of eating 4 oz of steak I would eat a 24 oz steak with all the fixings .
I have only gotten stuck once and that was due to my own fault I ate some beef jerkey and wasnt paying attention that happened my second month other then that no problems I can eat anything just smaller amounts that is all I allow myself ot eat .
Congrats on your weight loss !!!! That is totally amazing that you have lost all that weight without no fills !!! WTG That is my goal to.
Quit Smoking 10/8/10
Starting BMI 52.9 BMI now 44.4 updated 6/6/11
Congratulations! I copied your quote above becuase I too was very strict and lost a similar amount in 9 months. For me, I had to be strict. When I started testing the waters is when I stopped losing.
Keep on your schedule and celebrate your awesome success!
Best~
Lisa O.
Lap Band surgery Nov. 2008, SW 335. Lost 116 lbs. LB removal May 2013 gained 53 lbs. Revisied to RNY October 14, 2013, new SW 275.
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