LenRen25

Thank you to all who responded with your kind and inspiring words of support. I am still figuring out how to navigate this site, and am unsure how to reply individually?! (Clearly, I am new to using social media as an outlet!) I am so grateful for the wake up call--- I don't have to be alone in this anymore! Being snowed in in the Chicago burbs and using the down time to glean from the vast array of knowledge that exists here has given me a renewed sense of hope and commitment to my original goals. I can't believe I've waited so long (talk about BABY steps!!) but am thankful to finally be here to not only receive the support I so desperately have been lacking in the last several months, but to offer that same support and encouragement in return. Looking forward to my new, if somewhat delayed, journey here!

I think what you've accomplished so far is amazing! I myself, am still learning how to climb onto the wagon in the first place and am so inspired and rejuvenated by the stories I've been reading. I think that my eyes are finally opening to the fact that the SUPPORT element is key, and what I have been missing all along, so am certainly open to giving that and receiving that! It feels good not to feel alone in this Quest anymore...

I was banded in March 2013, and procrastinator that I am, have finally mustered the courage to join this site to seek the wisdom, honesty, camaraderie, and hope that I need to turn what I fear is a colossal failure into a journey of personal success, or at least get closer to that success than I am right now. I have approached my "post-op" life inadequately to say the least, and am hoping that it is not too late for me to turn things around and do it the right way. I realize, especially after reading the numerous stories noted here, I cannot be a passive bystander in this journey; I must take control and responsibility and stop thinking of my band as a quick fix that requires no effort or conscious thought on my part. I have to stop a lifetime of using food as a friend, comfort, and form of escape and understand that the band can't fix those issues for me. I naively thought all my issues with food would disappear, and I would awaken from surgery, much like a doe-eyed Disney princess (only chubbier, and not as pretty), to this new, bright, and beautiful future where the weight would fall off with little effort, and I would soon confuse my daughter's size 1 jeans with my own while folding the laundry....yeah, quite the fantasy, huh? Things haven't exactly turned out that way. Now it's time for the reality check----wish me luck.

Hi, I have no idea if you are still interested in a support group, as your post was awhile back; however, I too, am a patient of Dr. Shayani, and have been struggling a great deal since I was banded last March. I finally forced myself to attempt to stop struggling alone and have been navigating this site in search of some support, recommendations, wisdom, etc...I also live in the south suburbs, and would certainly appreciate any info. you can share regarding local support groups, as I feel trying to navigate this alone has proved quite unsuccessful...thank you for any insight you can offer!