Hello everyone! I'm Kelly, from Kansas. I found out last week that my surgery has been approved by insurance and have a surgery date in mid-June. I'm really excited now that I know it's really going to happen!

My history: I've been overweight my entire life and have never successfully lost weight and kept it off. Since 2008 I've been yo-yo-ing up and down - 37 lbs down, then gained 49, then lost 26, then gained it back...I'm sure many of you know the routine. I decided to look into bariatric surgery and see where that path took me. I didn't get my hopes up because I know insurance can reluctant to approve bariatric surgeries, so it was great when the surgeon's office called and said I had been approved.

I feel I am a good candidate for the band and hope I'm right about that! I want my life to change. I want to know what it feels like to be thin and have energy. I'm tired a lot and I hate it. I'm hoping losing weight will help change that. I know I will miss certain foods but I believe the results will be worth the sacrifice. I want to be able to be more active with my kids.

I'm nervous about the 2 week liquid diet phase my surgeon wants...I think that is going to be very difficult. I'm worried about throwing up after being banded, because I really hate throwing up. It seems like most people only have that happen if they eat too much, too fast, or don't chew things well enough. So I'm hoping if I'm extra careful I can avoid that. I hope I am not one of the few people that have complications with their band.

Overall though, the things I have to look forward to so far outweigh (haha no pun intended) the things I'm nervous about that it's worth taking a chance and make these changes!

I joined a gym in February but haven't been able to go much due to a foot problem I was having, but that is getting better so I'm going to get back to it. I have a trip coming up in a month and I know we'll be walking a lot, so the exercise will help me prepare for that, too. The next few months of my life are going to be exciting!

Congrats on the approval!!!

You probably will throw up here and there, but it's usually a small amount and just from the upper stomach. It will help you learn what you can and cannot eat. And mostly it happens (to me) from the wrong food (bread mostly) or not chewing well enough...so is very avoidable. Don't anticipate throwing up to be a constant problem, in other words.

The preop diet was the hardest part for me so far. But so worth it!!! I've only been banded for about 6 weeks and have lost 30 pounds from per-op diet till now. I'm noticing HUGE difference in my life from incresed energy to just being able to move better.

Congrats again! Do you have a surgery date set?

Hi Marcy! Wow, 30 lbs already is fantastic. My surgery date is June 16th. I am on vacation May 28-June 4, then it's liquid diet time, then surgery day!! So less than 7 weeks away!

Hi Nurse,

Good luck to you. I was banded in Aug 2010 and have lost 65 pounds to date. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I heart my band.

Just buckle down to the liquid diet and do it. Have on hand exactly what you are allowed and drink the same thing every day. I did protein shake for breakfast, one for lunch and blended soup for supper. I had either cream of tomato or blended bean and bacon. Really gave me something to look forward to

Drink lots of water, this fills you up. Really, it does. Count down the days. You WILL lose weight during this two weeks and that spurs you on. Don't tempt yourself. Feed your kids and leave the room if you can. Don't order pizza and have to smell it etc.

Get some support during this time.

The hunger does go away, just don't dwell on the fact you can't eat, don't fantasize about food and for heavens sake don't watch Food Network

You can do it, If I can do it you can too.

Good luck.

Bonnie/ also a nurse