Hello Everyone~ I am new to this site and am reading up on everything that I can. Let me say that I am learning ALOT and am soooo thankful this site is here and thankful for everyone sharing their journey! My Dr. is recommending that I get this lap band procedure done. She recommended it to me 1yr and 1/2 ago but was scared to death to go thru with it and give a 100%. Why??? I really don't know other than my weight has been my comfort zone. I have been a type 2 diabetic for 18yrs now and things have been spiraling out of control these last 5 yrs. I am 5'4 and weigh 231lbs. I am 38yrs old. I take 12 pills a day. The diabetes is killing me.... I am so sick of taking my meds. I take pills for blood sugar, pills for high blood pressure, pills for depression and now sleeping pills to sleep. I also have a heart murmur from a valve not working properly. Its getting to the point that I am afriad to go to the doctor because what other bad news is she going to lay on me. What else is the diabetes gonna do to me. OMG! I am so tired of living like this! So today I said lets get this ball rolling and I want my life back. I am ready for a change....a new life. So I am at the very beginning stages and I am kinda excited by what is around the corner for me. I am getting encouraged by everyones stories they are sharing. I want to say "Thanks" to each and everyone of you for taking the time to write your journey on here and sharing it. You will never know how much they are helping me and others reach for our goal and start our journey!!! Your all amazing!