SalemCat3
Hello everyone! I had the LAP band on March 14, 2006. I lost about 120 pounds before I became pregnant in January of 2007. (Pregnancy and the band is an interesting journey, I have yet to meet any other bandsters who have gone through it.) My pregnancy interrupted my weight loss, as I gained about 60 pounds with the baby. But I have re-lost it after her birth in October 2007 and am back on track.
Some stats -- my BMI to begin with about about 53, and now my BMI is 36.
My highest weight was 425, and pre-op I was 412. Today (Sept. 2008) I am about 295.
I started out as a size 32, and am now a size 18.
My goal is to weigh about 220 or be a size 12, whichever comes first. I'm very tall (6'3) so I don't want to look like a bean pole, which would be a novelty from looking like a watermelon my whole life! LOL.
Exercise is the key. You can't just eat right, you MUST exercise. When I don't exercise, I don't gain, but I don't lose, either.
This is one crazy, awesome, purely psychological ride.
The band is a tool, not a solution.
I fear hanging skin, and I'm starting to get some on my inner thighs.
I wouldn't change this experience for everything.
The loss is now slow, especially after having a baby, but it's steady and I'm happy with it.
My partner had the LAP band as well in July 2006 and is down over 100 pounds. (We don't live by the scale any more, but by clothes size.)
I wish Val, Kristy, and Deb still worked for Dr. Chua. They made my first year an incredible experience.
Any questions, don't be afraid to ask.
