Hello all.

I just scheduled my surgery for Monday, April 4th and I am a bag of mixed emotions. I am glad I found this site. It was difficult to find real stories that were not just paid advertisements for various doctors. I know this will be a long journey with changes to my diet and lifestyle being key. I just have that nagging fear in the back of my head that this will be yet another epic fail. I am trying to block those thoughts out so I don't sabotage myself from the get-go but years of faliure are difficult to forget. Thankfully I have the support of my husband and the few people I have chosen to share my decision with. But honestly unless you have battled serious weight issues, no one will really ever understand all the emotions involved in a decision like this. Which I guess is why I have turned to this site for support. Anyway I just wanted to say hello and am looking forward to reading about everyone's successes and challenges that go along with getting banded. I know I will need the support as my date approaches.

Thanks,

tmw41

Congrats on your date! Keep your head up and stay positive. You have plenty of support both here and in real life to keep you motivated. I love my band and I have lost 112lbs in 9 months. Just remember that it is a tool and it does require work on your end. Yes you will need to eat healthier and yes exercise may be necessary.

Some people say oh it's another diet and so on. I don't and have never felt like having the band is a diet. To me, the band helped me learn how to eat properly. I no longer pig out on bags of rice, bowls of Pasta, etc. Now I can eat those things, in moderation, and not feel like I'm missing a thing.

Best of luck and continue to come to the forums!

Hi there!!! If it makes you fell any better- I feel the same nerves you probably do, but my surgery is TOMORROW! Hopefully this forum can be a good resource, but after being heavy my whole life- and feeling that people mis-treat you for it, I KNOW that I am doing what will help me in soooo many ways. I have a wonderful support system. Haven't told EVERYONE, but the people I know won't judge and who I know would understand. The rest can come with time as I gain comfort in my new self.

Good luck. Do it if it feels right for you.