6 month Bandiversary! Go me.

Today I have been banded for 6 months. I had surgery at 7 pm at night in the middle of a snow and ice storm in a town 1.5 hours away. I stayed in a hotel the first night with my husband. I was uncomfortable, nauseous, and dizzy.

The next few days I did have gas pain, I wasn't hungry in the least, and I had great help from my husband, sister, mom, and friends.

If you ask me today I can barely remember the uncomfortable-ness after surgery.


I started my process in October of last year. I was told that it would take 4-6 months before I would have surgery (if all went well). I jumped on the band wagon. Did everything I was asked to do as quick as I could and had surgery 2.5 months later! My insurance company paid for most things.

You all know the reason I wanted surgery. We all have similar stories. Mine is not all that different from yours. Would I do anything differently? Not in your life! I am happy and I feel great!

I am a slow loser. There have been no 5 lb loss weeks for me. Except right after surgery. 2.5 was probably the biggest loss that I had in a week.  1-2 lbs was about the average. I occasionally felt upset about that. I won't lie. But I can tell you right now I would never have kept that off with a regular diet.

I have had no gains. A lb here or there due to water weight and salt..or hormones. But nothing permanent. I do PB fairly often. I truly need to learn patience and it is always my fault when I do.

I feel like I have been a success. I started this process at 249 and today I weigh 200.8 to 201.6 (that was stepping on the scale 20 times this am)

Do I think this surgery is a cure-all. No. But you know what? It is working for me and I hope that it keeps working!

I exercise most weeks 3-5 times a week. Yoga is my big thing. But I do core training, elliptical, zumba, and various other classes! (although is past week I did nothing) I count calories for the most part. Only to keep me in check. I try everything...there are somethings I avoid but not much! For example I will not eat a big honkin cheese burger...as much as I want one. I just can't handle that big of a bite. I can eat about 5 fries and then call it a day! I am average on my water consumption. Some days I am great! I need to be better on my vitamin taking. My b vitamins are low.

My blood sugar which was high and I was taking Metformin for (right before surgery) is well into the normal range. I REPEAT! NORMAL. That is a fantastic thing.

Without further adieu:



Summer 2010 before surgery




Gak, Sept. 2010. I am the one in flattering strips! With my college buddies!



My husbands fav. cake. The only one I make. Oct. 2010. 2 months before surgery



Sept. 2010 Green Blob and baby Andrew




October 2010. NYC




Dec. 10th, 2010 3 days before surgery!



Dec. 10th 2010...again three days before lap band!

June 2011. 5 months and 3 weeks after surgery

5 months and 3 weeks after surgery

Last week! June 2011 6 months after the band




I'd like to lose about 40 more lbs. That gets me to 160. Then we shall think about it. I am considering trying for a baby soon...so things may change a bit there. I am extremely lucky to have a very supportive husband, family, and friends. I still drink my martinis on occasion. I still very occasionally eat some pizza...I am still living. Just happier and thinner. I can see it. I know I've said that I couldn't see "it" but that picture of me in the brown outfit from last Saturday helps me to see it. 

Every last one of you...regardless of you being a regular or not to my blog...have helped me a long the way. You will continue to do so. Thank you. From the bottom of my shrinking gut. Thank you.