One of the things I love about Instructables, is people are always showing of their projects
and creating new things with things they already have. And so one of my past projects was to lose
weight, And I thought I would show and tell how I did that!

Step 1: "Before"

First thing I want to say is that this is NOT a DIY project, you do need help from outside sources, the success of the project is 100% on you, But you get 100% of the benefits!

I was not a unhappy fat person, I had lots of friends and a very active social life,
I was living hard and dying fast. I got away with that lifestyle until i was into my mid 40's
then things started to break down.

Step 2: Get Busy Livin, or Get Busy Dying.

After doing a dramatic amount of research I decided on the Lap Band.
it was a minimally invasive procedure (Though all procedures are risky) and did not modify
your internal workings (Pimp my car, pimp my segway, YES!, pimp me.. uh not so fast)

Step 3: Parts Needed

All you need is a Lap Band, and a mechanic (they like to be called surgeons) to install it!

Step 4: Results in 18 Months!

I sound like Billy Mays;
"But wait there's MORE"

The band will control how much food you eat, but you will also need to learn to work with the band
you will need to learn to chew your food, and eat the right types of food. As you lose weight your
energy level increases, and you will find moving easier you can (if you choose) join a gym.

You will lose weight no matter what you do (it's up to you to determine how much)

Step 5: The Final Results

After your 18 month adventure you may need plastic surgery to remove the excess skin,
you also may develop gall bladder problems (From your body processing out all the toxins in your fat)
but you will be thinner with all the joy and sorrow that carries with it!

This instructable is NOT Medical advice, it is just a quick how I did it.
if you are serious about losing weight using weight loss surgery consult your doctor
and check out www.obesityhelp.com/

Step 6: Interview With Myself

I wrote this July 2005:

Well, folks today celebrates my second anniversary of being crippled with sciatica and the beginning on what would become my lapband journey. And what a journey it has been. I am writing this waiting for Oxford to approve my appeal for plastic surgery, after losing (from 2 years ago weight)
of 425, now I am at 206 (maybe less, My scale broke!)

HERE IS A INTERVIEW WITH MYSELF:

Q: SO WHAT ARE YOU THOUGHTS ABOUT THE ANNIVERSARY?
A: Well, thats a good question Jonathan.

Q: WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT.?
A: Well to be honest, I feel exactly the same, I mean I feel sleeker, and springier. But I am still me.

Q: SO YOU DON'T FEEL LIKE A NEW PERSON, A CHANGED PERSON?
A: really all that has been changed is my outside, my size, my shape. my mind is still the same, my thoughts are the same

Q: WHAT ABOUT YOUR FRIENDS, HOW DO OTHERS SEE YOU NOW?
A: my 'good' friends still are my good friends, I Have noticed that to my 'couple' friends, I am more of a 'threat' now

Q: THREAT?
A: I think when i was fat, If I flirted with a woman, it was "oh the fat guy is flirting with you how cute" now I am no longer 'fat'

Q: SO YOUR NOW NO LONGER SAFE OR TRUSTED?
A: No, I would never do that, but its amusing to see how other people see me now, and how I see myself

Q: DO YOU STILL SEE YOURSELF AS 'FAT'?
A: Oh yes, most definitely! I don't think I will ever see myself thin, though I have to admit my butt is gone AWOL

Q: I THINK THAT WAS THE FIRST PLACE YOU LOSE WEIGHT
A: lol, yes I agree

Q: ANY OTHER COMMENTS YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD?
A: Yes, That people should know losing weight is not the Answer, all it is, is a first step in the right direction, and that life is still hard, and struggles are still hard and burdens are still hard. Thinner you seem to have a bit more strength to carry them.

Q: THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME
A: and thank you for indulging me in my multiple personality interview

Jonathan