Wednesday, November 7, 2012

One Year Bandiversary!

Today is my one year bandiversary!!! I really, really can not believe that it has been one year. The time has flown by!!

If you have followed my journey then you already know I completely made my choice to get lapband surgery purely for health reasons. Wearing smaller clothes and seeing collar bones has really just been a bonus.

I was sick. I was way more sick than I even wanted to admit to. My blood pressure had landed me in ICU, I was no longer able to go up even one flight of steps with having severe heart spasms, and I dreaded getting out of the bed every single day.

What a difference a year makes! I wish I could say I was off all blood pressure meds, but I am not. I do, however, feel a million times better. I can walk up numerous flights of stairs and not even think about it. I have more energy than I ever thought I would again.

The bonus....I have lost 73 pounds and I wear a size 10 jeans. I wish I could tell you how close I am to a "goal weight", but the truth is, I never set a goal weight. A number on the scale was never my goal....feeling better was. And that, I have accomplished.

Within this past year I have never done any type of formal or structured exercise. I certainly don't recommend this to anyone. I am quite sure I would even feel better if I had exercised. My hypertension specialist would never clear me for exercise. Although I have not been cleared for exercise, that doesn't mean I sit around all the time. I am moving all the time. I even get my students up and moving every chance I get.

Do you want to know what and how much I eat??? Of course you do....and if not, too bad...I'm telling you any way :)

Most of the time I eat what I want...just not a lot of it. I can not eat scrambled eggs. I keep trying about every month or so, but most times they sit there like a heavy brick for what feels like hours. I don't eat a lot of bread, but I do still eat it at times (like in Chicago when I had that awesome pizza!). I eat slow and I never drink while I am eating. I still eat chocolate every day, but instead of  King sized Snickers (or two), it's only a bite size Snickers. I eat a lot of chicken....so much so that I think I may grow feathers soon. I don't measure my food as much as I did for the first 7 or 8 months, but I would say that I rarely eat more 1-1 1/2 cups of food at a time.

I have had 2 fills since being banded. I don't really remember how much is in my band....I would have to look up an old post to the last time I got a fill (which was some time back in February if ya really want to go back and look it up). I think it is some where around 5 cc's.

I will leave you with some before and after pics. I had to REALLY, REALLY search for the before pics because I simply wouldn't let people take my picture for more than year. Here they are...


Then....

 
 
 
 
 
 

Now (well maybe not right now...but from June-September)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


27 comments:

tz said...

I know it's all about health...but look how cute you are! Congratulations on your one year...that's awesome and so glad you feel so much better! Isn't it amazing...I never realized how bad I felt until I started feeling better!

♥ Drazil ♥ said...

Seriously. You're so freaking cute. Congrats honey - I'm honored to have been able to share your journey!

Michelle said...

Congrats to you! 73 lbs awesome

Tina@The BanditGirl said...

Happy Bandiversary!!!! I am so glad you feel better and found what worked for you!

Cheri said...

For never working out, you sure have some great legs!!

Seriously, what a wonderful success story. I'm so very happy for you, and inspired by you! I'm so glad you get out of bed today feeling happier and healthier!!

Happy bandiversary!

Linda Sherwood said...

I love your outfits in the after photos. Very cute! Congratulations on your one year bandiversary!

The Dandy Bandy said...

Yay! Happy Bandiversary!! 73 lbs is uh-may-zing. fo realz!

I love following your journey. You have been an inspiration in MY journey! :)

Christy said...

Congratulations on your journey. You are simply beautiful...before and after! :)

Vanessa said...

Congrats and happy anniversary~! You are adorable!!!

No name said...

Happy anniversary to youuuuuuu!!!!

sweet addy said...

Both iterations of you are beautiful, but the after is simply stunning!!

Theresa said...

Wow! Health looks great on you!!!

jennxaz said...

Happy Bandiversary Cutie Pie!
You were cute before surgery and your smashing after!

Connie O said...

Happy Bandiversary! Your story is inspiring because I'm motivated mainly by health reasons too.

Catherine55 said...

Happy bandiversary!! You were always beautiful, but now you are thinner and healthier!! Congratulations on all of your success!! :)

Cruisegirl said...

Happy Day! You have done amazing. Keep it up!

Elizabeth said...

Congratulations!!!! You are adorable

Harmony said...

Happy Bandiversary! You look awesome!

Cat said...

I soooo love you darlin. You are so freaking gorg and I love your idea of just feeling great and living life without being a slave to the scale or a number. I need to take a page from your book!
Love ya girlie!

Anna said...

I know I'm a day late, but you know what kind of day I was having yesterday. LOL

Happy, Happy Bandiversary, twin! I can't wait to write this post in a year! So happy for you and your loss.

Hugs!

zbayardo said...

way to go YOU! happy bandiversary! you're doing awesome and remember, it ain't a race a loss is a loss at whatever pace!

Anonymous said...

I am a few days behind. But happy one year. Wow- what a difference a year has made. I am so happy for you. You look great and healthy and happy

MandaPanda said...

I'm late but couldn't pass up a chance to wish you a happy bandiversary! You've done so well and have come so far!!! :)

trishajo said...

Happy Bandiversary Traci!!!

adorkbl said...

So cute. congrats on regaining your health. You are a rockstar. :)

Laura Belle said...

Happy Bandiversary doll!!!!!

And can I say I'm loving all the sassy photos. you're just too pretty!

trishajo said...

I am super late, but HAPPY BANDIVERSARY!!! you've done AMAZING girl!!!!!!!