Mimi1980

Yes it will help!!! When I was 365 I could hardly walk the grocery store. At 215 I do a 3-3.5 mile walk daily and then do 1 hr Water based exercise at night. I highly recommend water based exercise for heavy people. I started out doing lap swimming but with the following: snorkle (makes it easier to swim since you don't have to worry about the breathing), and a water proof MP3 player makes the time go by soooooo much faster (available on Amazon and so worth the money). When I can't get a lane at the pool I join in the water aerobics class. You can ask the instructor for ways to me the exercise easier for now and harder later on.
If I can walk out in front of the entire high school swim team in my fat lady swimdress and weighing 365 pounds ANYONE can.
Exercise is like a self forfilling prophecy-the more you work out the less you weigh. The less you weigh the easier it is to work out.

Love that verse, Texas!
This might sound crazy, but I actually think that I will be able to serve God more effectively when I loose weight. I don't think my heart toward serving and bringing him glory will change, but I think it will change the way people respond to me. I think my weight gets in other people's way. I certainly don't think that's okay, on their part, but it is the way our culture is. Our culture sees heavy people differently, negatively, etc. I hope that losing weight will make people look at me more for who I am inside and for the words I speak about the Lord, and for the way he has changed me (new creation in him). I hope they will see God at work in me when they see me and not just a big overweight person, which is where their eyes stop right now.

@mimi You have made my day, just knowing how your mind has been renewed. "God is good" This shows us the power you have when you finally feel how worthy you are of great things.. You are so much stronger than you realize if you stay focus. For you to have taken the steps you have from just the other day is amazing grace. Plus you can see yourself as being an instrument to help your mom and others.
Thank you for your keen insight and mentioning about my "Light'. About my statement that I'm not religious but I have God in me and etc. I just didn't want to overdue it, like I'm teaching/preaching in my posts. I'm just a person who Loves the Lord. As a matter of fact I wrote a post tonight about "Sex and hang-ups before & after surgery". I don't think God was in that one LOL

@Clarks4willie First keep reading these posts because there is so much support and advice that will help you through. God will walk with you, but you have to put the work in too. He will give you the strength that you need to jump over some hurdles, go under some hurdles and knock down some hurdles. He's walking with you now, you were lead to this website and you found this post. BY the way that "Doubt" you had after believing you can do this surgery, was nothing but you and Gods "enemy". Wanting you to take a "U" turn from the direction that is best for you, which is your Good. Don't let him win

So, I feel a little better today. I finally told my mom and my sister about my plans (I didn't tell my sister, but she asked me because she saw the LBT app on my iPad, so I didn't lie). They are both really supportive and I was able to talk about some of my fears with my mom who's a nurse and a good candidate for the surgery herself. It really helped to talk about it and mom reassured me that I'm making the right decision. She's seen how unhappy I've been the last 3 years and knows that I must make a change. Who knows, my decision may inspire her to do something too.
Eyewonder, your light shines through the Internet. Don't ever feel the need to explain your belief in God. It is a beautiful part of who you are you you should continue to share it with others....

@mimi Keep me/us posted and message me anytime. You will have a peace because Prayers has already went forth for you from people reading your post. So be it

Thank you Christina, eyewonder and cnewme
Eyewonder, it's like you know exactly what's in my heart. I've been struggling with my weight my whole life, but it wasn't until 3 years ago that I really started feeling like this was a life or death situation. I had other things going on health wise so surgery was not an option then. Now that my neurological health has stabilized some --- it is finally the right time. I know I NEED to do this because nothing else has worked.
I just wish that I could have made the decision then have the surgery within the same week. That way I'd have less time to doubt my decision.
Thank you all for your advice and wisdom. I will keep going through my appointments and hopefully by the time I'm approved and have a surgery date, I'll be at peace with my decision.
I really love this forum.

I am in the preapproval stage right now, but since yesterday I've had this flash of fear and uncertainty come over me.
I've heard so many success stories, what if I'm not successful?
What if I give up on it like I've given up on every diet I've ever been on?
What if the band makes me sick?
The more time that I have to think about this, the more time I have to doubt my decision.
Have any of you felt like this? How did you get over your fears?

Your weight loss is an inspiration! Congratulations and enjoy that cruise!