Coming up on 3 years

I want to provide a little encouragement for those who are not sure about the lap band. I had mine done on June 30 of 2008. It was the best decision for me and I feel my life is much better because of it.

I did not lose whopping amounts of weight quickly. I lost about 60 lbs the first year and then another 10 to 15 (fluctuates) after that. I still would like to lose 30. The point is, this is FOR LIFE and I am not in a hurry. The thing I love the most is I am not afraid of food. Even if I wanted to totally binge on something I couldn't. The band prevents that. So, no need to be scared. I might obsess about a hamburger all day long, but when I go to eat it I can only do three or four bites then I am done. Thank you BAND! So, no more fear of food or what foods will be where. No more fear of how to resist temptation.

Secondly, even if I have not lost the last 30 lbs, I haven't GAINED any in 3 years. Never has there been a time in my life when that happened. If nothing else, I pray I will have this tool forever so I will not gain weight. Even if I never lose another pound, I am grateful that keeping the weight off is not the battle it used to be.

I haven't gotten used to my size 12, and size L or M shirt yet. When I shop I have to remember I am much smaller than my 22-24, XXL days. My brain has some catching up to do, but I am so much happier not to be in bondage with food.

All of you who are starting your journey--don't be in a hurry. Your attitude about this will likely affect your success.

I will get around to losing those last 30 lbs. It might even take a few more years, but I am happy and that matters.

Best wishes to you all.

Congrats! Your a doing so well with your TOOL 

I love your point of view.. when I chose lap band it was about being vainty .. my goal was never to be thin 130 pounds not that there is anything wrong with that but I have been heavy my WHOLE life -- I have no kids so I can say I gained some weight after having babies.. NOPE.. I am just heavy!! So for me having this surgery was to lose weight where I didn't struggle so much in life.. with things like breathing!! snoring!! WALKING!! My surgery choice wasn't a race to be SKINNY ..

My body is very happy at the weight I'm at right now and I need to put some serious effort to lose these last 50 pounds (already down 90+ pounds) but if it takes me 2 years honestly I'm okay with that.. I didn't gain all my weight in a 2-3 year period but over 21+ year period. I have issues with food.. bottom line.. and the band helps me MAKES me be in the "moment with my issues" it is a struggle but I know regardless of surgery I would find a way to eat around it or eat too much because the issues is me not the WLS surgery I chose. I have to make better choices, I have to tell the fat girl inside she can't have twix and doritios!! The lap band was the best thing I ever did for myself!! I have 0 regrets!!

I too have never lost a significate amount of weight and keep it off that in itself is a huge accomplishment.  CONGRATS again :)

You do have a good attitude!!  I think it's wonderful that you have accepted that this ia journey, definitely no set time limit on losing weight.  You have done very well, congrats!!!

We've been together from the beginning.  I had my surgery 6 months after you.  I love your attitude and this post stands as a reminder to me that life is good!  I often beat myself up for not yet being at goal, but then I have to remember my life 100+ lbs ago.  Even if I don't lose another pound I know that I am healthier and can do many, many things I couldn't do when I weighed 330 lbs.  Life is good!

Love my band!

Congrats on your 3 yr. surgiversary!

Lisa O.

congrats to you and a excellent post !!! I also have to remind myself that I didn't put on 348 pounds on my body in one day or even one yr and its not going to come off me in that time frame either unless I do some very unhealthy things .

There are  days I wi**** would come off faster I think everybody is like that , but in the process I have learned so much in the last 6 months about myself and about food that I would have never learned without this surgery.  I think that is the biggest thing right there is to actually learn how to eat, how to eat foods in moderation and yes even them bad girl foods .

I'm pleased I might lose weight a little slower then others but that is okay also :o)  Every day I make better and better choices and then you have them oops days like today for me that everything is just bad lol , but pick up and move on and tomorrow is another day

 yes, yes,and yes.

Hi,

Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed your story. I'm on the same plan and sure there are times I would like to be magically skinny overnight, I remind myself I chose the band to do it slower and easier on purpose.  For me it is all about slowly adjusting to this new way of eating so that it becomes NORMAL -- not a diet which I would very likely not be able to keep doing long term.

There are so many amazing people on this sight, and you are one of them.  I not only am a slow loser, I'm not a youthful loser.  So I tell myself that though I've lost only 32 lbs in over 4 months, and 10 of those were with the surgery and the 2 weeks that followed, I'm OK with that.  I'm sorta afraid to lose faster than I can tighten my skin with working out and Zumba.  I know it will take me a year or more to lose what I need to lose, and it's OK cause it tok me a lot longer than a year or 2 to put it on and carry it around.