VmpSlayr

Hi All! Looks like a lot of us across the Country will be banded on July 20th! I'm in California and I'm scheduled for the 20th, too! I'm a little nervous but am really looking forward to changing my life for the better!! My next appointment is July 7th to go over labs etc. I'm struggling right now trying to shed the 10 pounds my Doctor wants me to lose, but I'm getting there... Glad I won't be "alone" on the 20th!!!

Hello, MissK and welcome! I applaud you for making the decision to have surgery while you're young... I'm 47 and although banding wasn't around in the US when I was in my 20's, I wish I would have had the courage to seek help back then. My surgery date is July 20th, and I, too, am frightened but excited at the same time. I'm prepared with an eating plan for post-surgery and have my iPod loaded with new songs for my workouts on the elliptical machine. Hope to read more about your journey toward surgery... and your continued journey post-op as well. PS I'm was a huge "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" fan and followed "Angel" as well, thus my moniker :cool:

I am SO thankful that I decided to join this on-line support community because now I don't feel so alone! Thank you to everyone that posted and offered encouragement. My spouse is very supportive but dosen't really "get in" in terms of the myriad of emotions that seem to run wild in my head and although the one close friend I've told about the surgery is also encouraging, it's VERY comforting to "talk" to people who are in my shoes and going through the same thing. So, thanks... I can't wait to get to know more of you.

Holy Cow! I never, ever thought I would consider physically altering my body in an attempt to lose weight! The date's been set, I'm beginning my pre-pre-op liquid diet, and it's all I'm thinking about. Does anyone else have times when they feel like they've failed or are ashamed of themselves because they've not been able to lose weight in a "traditional" way? I've told very, very, few people about the surgery primarly because I've been up and down so many times in my life that I'm humiliated to tell anyone that I've actually decided to have SURGERY because I haven't been able to lose weight and keep it off. At 333 pounds, there's so much I can't do that other people take for granted (i.e., sitting comfortably at a ball game, restaurant, etc., tying one's shoes, bending over to pick up something that's been dropped) that I just can't stand it anymore. I'm excited and at the same time I'm scared and at the same time I'm petrified that I'll fail and be this size for the rest of my life (and just keep getting bigger). I'm hoping to hear from others that struggle with the same feelings and others that have conquered their fears and have succeeded and are doing well. Thanks for listening.