I don't really know where to begin so I guess i'll just jump right in.

My name is colin. Im 23 and im obese. I had my initial consultations on Wednesday and I hope to be banded by spring.

I finally got the motivation to do something about my weight after seeing my best friend get banded with astronomical results. He lost 125 lbs in about 10 months and now Im stepping up to the plate.

I think I was always chubby, but low self esteem lead me to believe I was a lost cause. In the last few years, my weight has gotten to be a real problem. I had a long term relationship with someone who had very unhealthy eating habbits and i adopted them myself.

When I weighed in on Wednesday, I was up to 350. I can't believe it ever got that bad. Its definitely time for a change.

There isn't much in life that worries me. After being shot and losing an eye in separate incidents, not much phases me, but right now Im legitimately scared. Im scared I wont be able to do this. Ive been handed a once in a lifetime opportunity here to change myself and I really can't stand to think that I could let it slip away.

The people I have met here so far have been overwhelmingly kind and supportive. I want you all to know that each and every one of you is an inspiration to me if just for taking the first step in this journey. I wish everyone here the very best of luck and I look forward to making friends with all of you

Pictures coming soon

You seem very sweet! I'm proud of you (although I don't know you yet) for beginning your journey! I got to a point, too, where I was like WOW how did this happen? I was banded tuesday the 25th of this month and I am still healing. I'm very sore but also VERY happy to have been banded. I have a new head on my shoulders and I am beaming! I cannot wait to be that thin, healthy, fit, happy woman that I know is in me.

I'm glad that you've found lapbandtalk. It helped me SO much in my beginning phases of the process. I started everything in may of 2010. If you would like to chat further, have questions, advice, need a buddy, I'm here! WISHING YOU LUCK!

So this is me a few years ago. Ideally, I would like to be just a little smaller than this.

This is me now. Sad face woops lost my "now" pic.