One year out from band surgery!

I can't believe it's been a year already! Time really does fly when you get your life back.

I struggled with my weight for the longest time. I wasn't the type of person who could lose it but not keep it off. I just couldn't lose it PERIOD. I was stuck at 250lbs for many years... struggling to be comfortable in my own skin. I checked out the band at that time and after an informational meeting I decided that I wasn't "fat enough" for such a drastic step. Well... a year later I was 304lbs and miserable. My energetic and optimistic soul was muffled by the large body I carried around. It was an evil cycle. I was too fat so when I tried to exercise, it would hurt and I'd sprain my ankle. I tried to eat less but was always starving. I knew I had the ambition, the willpower... but I just didn't have a tool to get me past the horrible disadvantage of being really big and having PCOS.

I wish I could express in words what the band has done for me. It has given me a chance at the life that I felt I deserved. It doesn't solve every problem in the world, but it sure is nice to be able to face life's problems without an extra 100lbs on my shoulders.

I cry when I think about where I was. I am not ashamed... but I never want to go back. I truly was miserable. I felt like I was in a horrible neverending fat suit.

Today I am almost in onederland and at a weight that I never thought I'd see again. If I hadn't had the band a year ago, I would likely be creeping up to 400lbs by now.

My accomplishments this year thanks to my band:

--Walked a 5K
--Lost 100lbs
--Made friends for the first time in years
--Finally visited the place I grew up without fearing someone might see me
--Wore heels
--Wore a dress in public
--Wore capris in public
--Cut my hair short without looking horrible
--Skied all around the world
--Started exercising on a daily basis
--Learned to manage the ups and downs of hunger
--Cut out my soda addiction
--Reported on TV (gained confidence to do it!)
--Flew in an airplane comfortably
--Bought a skimpier bathing suit
--Fit comfortably on a rollercoaster
--Tried on clothes at a store without crying afterward
--Learned to forgive myself

There are a lot more, but I can't really think of them right now.

Here is my before and after (I've posted these photos before):



My biggest supporter ever (my mother):



I love OH and my OH family. I have made so many friends from every forum I frequent. It's been an absolutely blast to actually be social again and come out of my shell. I also post YouTube videos and a blog... and didn't think much of it until I started getting e-mails from all over the world from people interested in the LapBand. It has been unreal. I didn't know that my story could influence so many others. It warms my heart so much because I remember lurking here and saying, "I can't wait to be like him/her." 

For the year to come... I have many other goals. I want to play hockey again, skydive and rollerblade, to name a few. I want to learn to stand up for myself and love and respect myself and my body. That will come with time and counseling perhaps. I want to reach my weight goal, run a 5K and perhaps do a marathon some day. And finally... I want to backpack through Europe again... but not at 304lbs like last year. Here are some photos from that trip:









ME NOW:



Here's to the next year.  I can't wait!

Congratulations girl, you deserve every last thing you've accomplished! You are the person that I'm saying "I wish I could be like her!", just like you said you thought about other people before you had the surgery. You look absolutly amazing!!!!

Oh, and when you go back to Europe, if you need someone to go with, look no further!!!

You have done a great job ! And to more accomplishments in the next year !

Girl you have done an awesome job!  keep up the great work and here's to another great year!

congrats!!!! awesome job!!.
and what a beautiful post!!
keep it up
hugs