Positives ONLY: Celebrate your Band WEIGHT LOSS!

The one thing I will say is that without the band I may have continued to gain.

I'm living my life again...175+ lbs lost!!!  Went from a size 30 to a 10!!! 

me @ 350+ lbs and barely fitting in the booth there

me @ 179...woohoo!!!

July 25 2011 surgery date: 1st picture was June before surgery 2nd picture a month or so ago.

I am down 95 pounds! Now I hope to be alive to see him graduate high school at least!

This is my first visit to OH.  I had lap band surgery about 5 months ago.  I have lost 27 lbs.....If it hadn't been for a severe case of Plantar Faciitis I would have lost more.  Just yesterday I went back to my health club to work out.  It felt great.  I am looking for support and accountability.  I found a Weight Loss Surgery Support Group through Meetup.com. I am going to my first get-together tomorrow night.  However, there are not many people in the group that have had a lap band.  I have no idea if what I experience is normal???  Immediately following my surgery, Dr. E had to remove the little bit of fluid that is originally in the band because I could not even ge****er down.....I think due to a hiatal hernia he repaired while placing the bank.  Anyway, 6 weeks later I had my first fill.  2 and half months after that I had my second fill.  I have been able to eat just about anything other than apple peels dry meat or fish.  I can even eat a bagel if I do it slowly.  I'm not sure this is a good thing.  My doctor and nurses all said that I would feel full very quickly because the band is placed around the nerve that sends the brain messages about being full.  The feeling I have is not a full feeling.....it is a "stuck" feeling.  A feeling like I need to drink to get something down.  I dont know why they say it is a full feeling.  I guess I need to re-train my brain to recognize this feeling to be my stop eating sign.....Anyway.  I do love my band and know I made the right choice.  Just need a little guidance and reassurance.  Thanks.

4 years banded. Lost over 100 lbs. Went skydiving, to 2 H.S. reunions, ziplining, sledding and am enjoying life much more.

I had band issues that made removal necessary....BUT, my husband was banded in Aug 2007, lost 200+ pounds and maintains a very healthy lifestyle!  He is a true success story and I'm so proud of him!

I was banded in May of 2010 and lost 64 pounds from the time of my first consult to 5 months post surgery when I met goal. I gained about 15 pounds back due to being careless but found that if I got back on track I could lose it. 

Getting my band was the best thing I have ever done, it changed my life. My health is better, I am more active in spite of chronic pain, I am more outgoing, and I actually join groups and go out in public without someone along to hide behind. I would never have given up my band if my own stupid body had cooperated. I still count it as the reason for my success. I will be 63 next month and for the first time in many years I really enjoy my life. I wish I had done it sooner.

Great Post! I had surgery July 13, 2010. I started my journey at 288, I was 264 surgery morning and I am at 217 right now.

I am going to refocus my energy and try to get this extra 50lbs off by my birthday in August. Please send me encouragement and hope. I really want to accomplish this.

My weight loss is sometimes slow with the band, but so is my weight gain! It is a worthwhile tool.

I LOVED my lapband and had it for almost 5 years....I was banded in December 2007 and I lost 90 pounds in the first 12-18 months. I maintained at 70 pounds down for the next 3 years, that is, until I had complications. I cried like a baby when I was told that I had to lose my band. I am grateful to my band in helping me through the first leg of my journey. I am grateful that my dr removed it before more damage was done. And, most of all, I am grateful to have another tool at my disposal for the next leg of my journey.

Best wishes to everyone! You "long-timers" look GREAT!!! 

I am almost 4 years out down 85 pounds I have had ups and downs but would do it again