First post here, hope I don't end up talking to myself. I'm due to be banded sometime in July if all goes well with tests. Please step up and say hello.

Shauna

I'm a police officer so I work with a bunch of in-shape people. I have struggled with my weight and during our basic training I was verbally and physically abused because of my weight. I don't have the energy to work out right now because of "the backpack" that's my nickname for the extra 55 pounds (formerly 79 pounds) I carry everywhere. I have recent memories of being thin and energetic so I know what is waiting for me. I just can't drop 55 pounds. And, more importantly, I can't keep these 79 pounds off of me. I really worry about dying young because of all the health problems associated with obesity.

So far, I've only told my husband, my parents, my sister and I'm telling my brother this week. They all love me and have seen me struggle my whole

life with being overweight and they are very very supportive. I've told a couple people at work, but only bc I was hoping they could be banded along with me. Sadly, their insurance doesn't cover it and they can't afford to pay out of pocket(which i can't either, but luckily my insurance covers 100%)

I'm worried about the people that are skinny and have never really had to deal with weight issues and the people that have at some point in their life been overweight and eventually lost the weight(whether it be by dieting and excercise or diet pills) I myself know I am not taking the easy way out(that was made even more clear in my 1st nutrition appt), but I know there is a certain stipulation by society that weight loss surgery is an "easy way out". I just feel I have dealt with criticism my whole life about being overweight and now I'm afraid I will get criticism for doing something about it. I have no intentions to lie about it, but I have no intentions of posting it on my twitter either...

I have told immediate family, a couple of friends, and one co-worker who has had gastric bypass. Anyone else, I'm going to say "I eat less, and move more"...that is not a lie but keeps them out of my business.

Hey July Banders - I am glad to see so many positive people in one place. I am sure although we are all a little apprehensive, we know that this is a lifestyle choice and chance to make an impact on our future health.

Cheers to us - with water at the moment, of course!!!! wine will come later.

Lisa B - Calverton, Va.

It can be hard at times to stay positive, especially when there are so many emotional aspects to the journey we are sharing. Long before we decided to get banded we struggled with being overweight and the self-esteem issues that accompanied it. For me now, I have fears that I will fail at the lap band. BUT on the other hand, I'm so freakin stoked about getting banded I don't know what to do! I even have a countdown timer on my droid so I know how many days I have until my new start. I took my size 10 abercrombie & fitch jeans out of storage and put them in the bureau. I even tried them on and learned I have around 19 pounds to get them buttoned, 30 for no muffin top. I'm also going on a cruise in December and I mean to wear a bathing suit with pride. Ladies and gents, we are all on our way to achieving and maintaining our goals! 14 days, 12 hours, 45 mins until my new start! Go July bandsters!

Ut

Hey July Banders - I am glad to see so many positive people in one place. I am sure although we are all a little apprehensive, we know that this is a lifestyle choice and chance to make an impact on our future health.

Cheers to us - with Water at the moment, of course!!!! wine will come later.

Lisa B - Calverton, Va.

That's great you have such a concrete goal with your jeans and your cruise! My 40th birthday is late January and my goal is to be in the "normal weight" category by then...we will be having a big party to celebrate! I too am sometimes afraid of failing with the band but it's my decision whether to use it correctly or not, and I make the choice to say "IT WORKS!".

It can be hard at times to stay positive, especially when there are so many emotional aspects to the journey we are sharing. Long before we decided to get banded we struggled with being overweight and the self-esteem issues that accompanied it. For me now, I have fears that I will fail at the lap band. BUT on the other hand, I'm so freakin stoked about getting banded I don't know what to do! I even have a countdown timer on my droid so I know how many days I have until my new start. I took my size 10 abercrombie & fitch jeans out of storage and put them in the bureau. I even tried them on and learned I have around 19 pounds to get them buttoned, 30 for no muffin top. I'm also going on a cruise in December and I mean to wear a bathing suit with pride. Ladies and gents, we are all on our way to achieving and maintaining our goals! 14 days, 12 hours, 45 mins until my new start! Go July bandsters!

Ut

You go girl. Have you read this hilarious thread in the forum called skinny b***h? I hoping to be called one by Christmas! Here's hoping for us all! Happy 40th and many happy returns. Just in case we lose touch before Jan!

That's great you have such a concrete goal with your jeans and your cruise! My 40th birthday is late January and my goal is to be in the "normal weight" category by then...we will be having a big party to celebrate! I too am sometimes afraid of failing with the band but it's my decision whether to use it correctly or not, and I make the choice to say "IT WORKS!".

July 8, marina del ray ,ca. Dr. Madan. Holy crap its almost here iam so pumped let's do this

July 1st for me at HUMC in NJ!!! I can't wait. I have told EVERYONE what I am doing and I get very positive responses from everyone. My husband and my mother are nervous of course since it is surgery but they are being very supportive!! I'm hoping to hear my incisions quickly so I can be in the pool asap!!! Summer are short around here!

So last night, I was reading the forums and was talking to my husband about all the people who have lost over 100 lbs--and in the course of the conversation, my husband FINALLY figured out that I'm planning to lose 100+, too. He freaked out a little--not over the weight, exactly, but because he was suddenly worried that I might lose it too quickly and damage myself (as if the weight weren't damaging enough!).

Bless his heart and all (to use my favorite Southernism), but he just doesn't get it. He's never had a weight issue. If he starts putting on weight, he goes for a run every day for a week and gets rid of it. And despite nursing me through a horrific pregnancy made worse by weight, it didn't really occur to him that I had THAT much to lose.

Once we talked about the lap-band more and I gave him more information, he felt better and started working out ways he could support me in this.

I keep laughing over it--and it makes me happy because I can't figure out which is better: a husband who loves me so much that he apparently doesn't even realize how overweight I am, or a husband who is willing to suddenly start planning meals he can make for me once I have the lap-band. I feel lucky to have both in one!!!!

Feeling thankful for my support system today!

Jen and Lizzy, so glad to hear you have strong support systems. That is so important. Everyone I have told (2 friends, 1 coworker with gastric bypass, and immediate family) have all been supportive, and it was such a relief! I thought they would just tell me to get off my ass and exercise and diet!

Shauna

Sounds like we may have some keepers!

Jen and Lizzy, so glad to hear you have strong support systems. That is so important. Everyone I have told (2 friends, 1 coworker with gastric bypass, an

d immediate family) have all been supportive, and it was such a relief! I thought they would just tell me to get off my ass and exercise and diet!

Shauna

I am sooo excited! I had my final meeting with my surgeon and tomorrow I will be getting my surgery date! This is FINALLY starting to come together. When I first started this journey with the seminar, I never thought this all would be so close to happening! I am a lil anxious, I wont lie. But I know this is all going to be great!!! Who else out here is a July Bander????

Hey there! I got my surgery date on Monday for Friday, July 22nd! WooHoo! It's been a long road for me because my insurance company required 6 months of a controlled diet and nutritional appointments, along with the psychiatric evaluation.

I haven't lost as much as I should have because I don't exercise every day, but I started this journey at 284 and I'm down to 262. I start my 2 week liquid diet on July 8th and have scheduled to go out for my "Last Supper" with friends on the 7th.

I'm very open about the fact that I'm having surgery, I don't see anything wrong with it at all. I've posted it all over my Facebook page as well. If people haven't seen it, once I start posting pictures I'm sure they'll ask!

Good Luck to everyone!!

Hi guys! Join us on the "Any July 2011 Banders?" thread in the Pre-op section...that is where all the action is!

Shauna

Getting banded july 5th!!!!!! aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh

Me too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!