Introduction

Hi,

My name is Lynette; I was banded on the 19th of December 2009. It has changed my life.

Now, nearly 3 years post-op, I am considered a "lap-band success" because I have lost more than 60% of my excess body weight.

I want to lose more and I want to be happy with my Lap-band. It is a beautiful tool that I know myself and many others have not been using correctly.

I have recently gone through a process of having my very tight band loosened. I did this because I was not able to eat anything that I should have been and instead I was "cheating" the band or eating stuff that I knew I shouldn't be.

Through this blog, I aim to discover how to use my band properly, the recipes that will provide the best nutrition and convenience for my lap band, and the exercise that will enable me to lose the last 20 kilos that my doctor has suggested will put be in my most healthy weight.

At current I have lost 2.5 of those Kilos.

I have also very recently has a small un-fill, which I am sure I will write a separate blog post about shortly.

So, now that I have written what I aim to gain from writing this blog, what will you find here?

RECIPES:
A growing catalogue of recipes which I will be posting at least <b>weekly</b>. Including photos and ways to vary them for the Non-Bandsters in your life (like my OH). I will be initially doing recipes for people like myself, a few years out of surgery, trying to get back onto the band wagon (pun intended) after weight loss has decreased (or have gained some weight), or just trying to maintain the hard earned weight loss. In around October, my beautiful friend will be going through the lap band journey, and I will be there supporting her. So I will be able to provide recipes that are suitable for people initially going through the initial stages.

The aim is to build a catalogue of recipes for any stage of the lap band that are simple, tasty, and nutritious.

TIPS:

Tips and tricks that I have learnt up to date, as well as ones that I will learn coming through this experience with my blog and my recently loosened band. General stuff that can help you through your journey or that have helped me through mine.

EXERCISE:

This is my main problem, and I am sure it is every Bandsters speed bump. My main problem is getting into it without getting sick. So I will be discovering tips and tricks on how to get into exercise, healthily, safely and to ensure that it never gets boring.

MOTIVATION:

My aim in motivating myself and others, it for a HEALTHY Weight. Not Size 0. I aim to be an average size 12 (Australian size). I will be posting pictures of things that motivate me, quotes and stories that I may come across.

A little bit about me:
I am 23 years old, working as a Junior Accountant in a construction firm.
I am currently studying my Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Accounting at University while I work Full time.
I started at 140.6 Kilos; I now weigh in at 97.5 Kilos. My goal is to weigh 80kilos by the time I go to Ireland with my OH (who is from Ireland).
I am not your average 23 year old.... I have been through some stuff that has made me mature and grow. I am a little bit crazy, but that’s what makes life fun.
I own my own home and love to bake. So there will be some naughty recipes on this site.

Ok, well now that you know what you will find here. I hope you will all enjoy this experience as much as I hopefully will.

Give me comments, recipes, feedback. Please.

Happy Banding,
Love Lynette