I am new to this site. As a matter of fact, I am new to on line chatting completely. The first time I posted to this site I managed to post on a NJ thread that was just for chatting about family and friends. I had no idea. I finally found the place to start if you are a beginner!!

I am 42 years old and I have struggled with weight all of my life. Since a small child I have been on a diet. I remember when I was going to Elementary School (maybe 4th grade) and my mom and dad put me on a diet and I brought just celery sticks in for lunch. All the other kids just kind of looked at me while they were eating their nutritious lunches. I felt like a freak.

There were times when I was able to keep my weight under control...but that was mostly through starvation. I did Slim Fast throughout the 80's, and got on the Phen Phen wagon in the 90's. During those times I was only eating a bagel or a small salad once a day, but I was a size 10 so I felt good.

When Phen Phen was taken off the market, I gained weight and have been very overweight ever since. I did lose a little over 70 lbs over a year ago (I work for the Navy as a civil servant and was asked to go to Iraq to support the effort there. I lost weight consistantly the whole time over there. I started gaining the moment I hit American soil September of last year).

Afer much research, I have decided that the lap band is a tool that could help me be successful. I am a bulk eater....big portions at lunch and dinner. Dr. DiMarco (Harrisburg, PA) is my physician and he has made it very clear that this is not a cure all, but something that can assist me in being VERY successful with my weight loss. I have to be committed to my own success and I know that.

I have been stopping by this site every couple of days and I it just so inspiring to me. In the beginning of my journey I was so afraid of failure again. After reading what you all have had to say, I feel so much more in control. You are a great support system and I hope you will be there for me as I will be for you.

I made my appointment for my surgery today. It is 1 Dec 05. I am nervous and excited at the same time!!

Any words of wisdom that you have would be SO inspirational for me. My doctor is not making me fast before, so I am most concerned about the first two weeks of nothing but liquids....were you hungry at all during that time?

Looking forward to getting to know all of you!! Keep up the good work!!

didnt feel hungry at all.best desision i ever made .i love the mushy stage as ive always prefered food like that.it was easier for me .when i was tearing my hair out and wanted food and could only have fluids i tried a runny yoghurt.it hurt like hell.i couldnt digest it.now the swelling has settled down im well on my way to 1st fill.the op is easier to recover from than i imagined.good luck for the op.keep on this site as its mega and inspiring.well done for making the appointment u wont regret it.bye for now shrinkpachyderm.its nice to be reminded of the stage of excitement.its helped me.thank u.

Congrats on getting a surgery date Maggie!! You can stop by and Chat with us in the November Chat thread any time! (until December when we will probably start a new thread!)

Welcome to LBT!

:]

best of luck, a month will fly by.

Good luck with your surgery Maggie! Don't worry about the liquid phase. I'm not saying it's not difficult, but you'll get through it. You're going to love your band!!

WelcomeWhere are you having your surgery?Mine is in Houston Nov 30th

Welcome to LBT!

thanks for all your support. i go through phases where i am so excited...then i start questioning my decision...why can't i do it myself? when i start to questions i pop on line and you all help me to stay on track.

i am having my surgery in harrisburg, PA from The Weight Loss Clinics Dr. DiMarco. a friend of mine used him for gastric bypass surgery and just loved him. he is great...very curious and interested in what your issues are with food. some of the office staff is just TERRIBLE...very rude to the patients. i plan on talking to the doc about that.

i have health america...they will pay for gastric for government employees, but won't pay a cent of the lapband...i will try to fight it but i am preparing to just pay myself.

the doc gets 2000, the hospital gets 10,000...the first fill is included in the price..the rest are not...is this par for the course?

thanks for your support...how do i put my weight, doctor, fills etc and the end of all my posts? thanks

HI and welcome! Find the User CP (control panel) listed across the top of the page...you'll find something like "edit signature" and that's where you put all that stuff. Let us know if you don't find it!

Good luck with the process...at least you've found LBT and bunch of people who know what you are going through.

Cindy