One Year Ago......................

It was snowing and there was tons of ice every where. I was for sure they would cancel my surgery. Chris and I left the evening before and stayed in a hotel near the hospital. He ordered a pizza while I drank homemade beef broth.

I woke up on Dec. 13th totally ready to go. Not nervous or scared. But excited about what I could accomplish.

We got to the hospital at about 9...waited till 11 to be called back. I got undressed, weighed, got and IV started, and there we sat until 7 pm. They were backed up because of the ice and snow storm that was blowing outside. I remember moving onto the wheeled table. I remember the mind numbing meds going in and my PA saying something to me. And that is it....

I woke up in the recovery room in bad shape. They wanted me out of there so I did feel quite rushed to up my clothes on and go. But I felt awful. Not pain but nauseous and totally out of it. This is quite typical for me with pain meds. They just really screw me up! Chris got me into the truck..words of advice..don't drive a 3/4 ton dodge ram and expect your wife to hoist her up very well! The wind was blowing and it was about -13 outside and it was MIDNIGHT. No lie.

We got back to the hotel and it really was a rough night. I propped myself up but was uncomfortable..I never was sick to my stomach but I just wasn't rebounding like I thought I would! We stayed an extra night in the hotel simply because I didn't think I could make the 1.5 hour journey home.

My recovery was most like everyone elses. I was waiting for the shoulder/gas pain to go. That honestly was the worst part for me. I didn't have to stay on pain meds for long at all. I was questioning everything I ate and was waiting to feel something different.

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I do have to say this whole banded experience has been a good one. No real downs. The only part that has been hard for me is the last month or so with my unfill and slow refill. But that wasn't an issue really it is just a stall in the weightloss speed.

I decided from the beginning..and then again 3 months in...to NOT compare myself to others. I would say that is the biggest struggle of all.
I started out weighing 249lbs. My BMI was 40.2



Dec. 10, 2010



Dec. 10 2010

I hate those pictures. I'd never show anyone those pictures. I fully intended on taking a picture of me wearing the same outfit but I didn't have my camera this morning.

Today I weight 183-184. My lowest weight was 178 before my unfill. BMI 29.6





 TODAY Dec. 13, 2011

My Goals for 2012

From the beginning I chose not to have a "goal" weight set. I know how my mind works and I don't do well with goals. But I know that for 2011 65 lbs. Was fantastic for me. Before my unfill I was 70lbs down in one year. So for 2012 I would like my goal to be to weigh between 150-160. That would be a loss of 25-30 lbs in one year. I can do that...right? Surely.

I would never change this adventure. I am happy and healthier. I feel good about myself. I feel like Chris and I get along better. He tells me almost every day that I look cute. Hell he probably did that before but it was blindness.

One day the acquaintances and friends will just see me. They will stop saying WOW you are looking good Amanda. I hope that when that happens I can still feel as good about myself (most days) as I do now.

Thank you for all the support and all the love. I without a shadow of a doubt attribute a lot of my success to each of you and blogging. I've been MIA recently which will change after Christmas I promise.

BOOB's was a life changing event. I recommend everyone trying to go. At least once. The love from that group is amazing.

This was just one year. Imagine what we all can be in 5 years.

Thank You.