TLCarlson08

Hi I'm Tiffany. I am a 33 year old mother of 4 wonderful kids. I have my Lap Band scheduled for Feb. 10, 2014. I went in for my first visit with Dr. Smith (Ft. Worth Lap Band Clinic) in March of 2013. I have debated and battled both with myself and my family and friends wheather or not this is the right decision for me. While my friends and family are not all completely on board, I know I am making the right choice.

I was a Marine before I had children. I grew up on a farm and am used to hard manual labor. After having my first child is when I started to experience problems with my weight. I have tried dieting and exercise, meditation, diet suppliments all to no avail. I maintained a weight of 180lbs. (give or take 15lbs at any given time) for about 6 years. Then I got pregnant with my youngest. The pregnancy alone nearly killed me and I ended up having to have a 3/4 radical hysterectomy the year after Tucker was born. Ever since I had him, I have ballooned up to 234. I am miserable. I have tried everything I know to try and I am at my wit's end. Last year I decided to go see Dr. Smith.

Dr. Smith has also had the Lap Band proceedure. I liked the fact that my surgeon has had it done as well. I know he can empathise. I went back and forth for many months trying to decide if this is right for me. I have had family and friends tell me that they couldn't believe that I was being so vain. Am I the only one out here trying to convince people that this isn't about vanity, that I am truly doing this for my health? I need to find someone to talk to that is having these same struggles with their family. I am scared. I want to be me again. I want to not be startled when I look in the mirror. I want to play with my kids and not have to stop because of aches and pains or getting winded, or just not having the energy to do it in the first place.

I am looking for a buddy with similar struggles. I don't care if you've already had your surgery or if you're scheduled. I just need to know that I am not alone with my fears.