At my high school graduation I weighed 160 pounds . I had always tried so hard to be athletic, I tried to play volleyball, basketball and joined the track team. I was able to maintain my weight between 155-170 by playing sports.

By the end of my first year of college, I ended up gaining the freshman 30 bringing my weight up to 190 pounds. By the time I graduated from college my weight was up to 220 pounds. Even though I walked everywhere, I was consuming too many calories.

What hurt me the most was that I had promised myself I would never graduate from high school fat, and I did. I promised myself I would never graduate from college fat, and I did. I promised I would never get married while I was so fat, and I did. I promised myself I would never get pregnant while I was so fat and I did.

After years of poor self esteem, shattered diet attempts, cruel comments, and abusing my own body, I am beginning to put an end to all this craziness. I am determined to free myself from this barbed wire ladened fat. I do not want to waddle, I do not want to feel stared at, I do not want to worry about what chair I can fit into when I walk into a room, I do not want to cringe when my husband touches me, I do not want to feel anxiety while eating, I do not want to avoid all my past favorite activities, I do not want to obsess about food anymore, I do not want to hear from compete strangers "you have such a pretty face" anymore, I do not want to be the fat one anymore..:confused:. No more.

I will succeed in freeing myself. Joining Labbandtalk is the beginning of a new me. A healthier, happier, twirling, obnoxiously happy me. I am starting my journey on finding a lapband specialist in Los Angles. I am currently getting referrels from friends but if anyone has any input let me know.

I would love to keep you all posted on my journey on finding the right physician who will give me my new life!

Good luck to you! :confused:

Ahh Thank you...that means a lot!

Good Job, come on in....

One question I'd ask the Doc. How many have you done. More than 100 I'd hope. 2nd I'd request no trainees are to be workin on me. It happens more than you think and its your money and body. Im not the one for training....

I could have written your post myself, - except that I am banded and it is the best decision I have ever made! It will be for you too.

Good luck!

Thank you all for your support. I have started doing my search for a surgeon and I am going to go interview a bunch. I really feel like I need to connect and bond with my physician from the start..I guess I don't want to go to these surgery centers where they have many surgeons working for them and then I'm just another lap band for them. I really would like to find someone who has a private practice. However, I definitely do want them to be experienced. As far as not having a trainee there..that is one reason I would go to a private practice because hopefully by the time I have the surgery I will be familiar with all the people I deal with. Will keep you all posted!

Lots of information is here on this website. Your description of emotions and past pain with weight issues is very well written.

Good luck in your search for the right physician to meet your needs.

I'll see my surgeon for consultation on Wednesday this week and I'm eager to set the date.

Best wishes for your success.

ladykaycusa...good luck to you as well!! this site is amazing! I have become soo addicted to Lapbandtalk! Everyone for the most part seems soo pleased with their results.. Can't wait until I find the right match and start my journey!

Congratulations on your decision!! I'm 15 months out and am so happy with mine. . am only 3.4 pounds from goal as of yesterday. The band really works if you work with it!

Best wishes,

Catherine

Catherine...you look amazing!! Im so happy for you and can't wait til I get there!

Catherine...you look amazing!! Im so happy for you and can't wait til I get there!:smile2:

Oh yes I agree you look Fabulous....I am excited to , to have finally made the decission to have this proceedure I have thought about it for over a year (maybe two) and am 18kg heavier ...I wished I had done it 2 years ago..BUT its never to late so the saying go`s...

I wish you and everyone else good luck in the Quest to fight the fat......................:thumbup:

Hi,

I am about to begin my journey. I am excited and nervous. I pray that all goes well for me and you

also!

Your story is like so many of us who have decided to get a band. Getting my band and learning how to use this amazing tool has put an end to my yo yo dieting. Best thing I ever did for my health, self esteem and quality of life. I was banded in So Cal - Ventura. I can't say enough wonderful things about my surgeon and his aftercare program. If Ventura or Thousand Oaks is an option, I would defintely recommend Dr. Helmuth Billy.

You can also check out my blog. I'm in my 4th year and loving banded living. I've blogging my entire journey, going back to the time I first considered lapband surgery. I hope you find it useful. Here's the link:

Gloria's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story

Hey Gloria!! I just realized I replied to another post to you as well!!! Thank you soo much!! I am really excited..So the seminar I went to was AMAZING!!! THe Drs.. were soo helpful..The staff..mostly old patient of theirs and many past patients were there to share their stories and tell us the ups and downs they had through their journey.. I am soo excited..I don't know if I should go and interview or go to other seminars because I fell in love with this practice!!! The prior pts had nothing but good things to say and I loved the fact that they all had the drs. personal cell phone numbers...really shows the drs are there for their patients!!!

Will keep you all posted!!

Thanks for all the support..it really means a lot to me!