Hi I am Melissa! I am 33 and live in Missouri. I had my surgery two weeks ago on Aug.25th, I am looking forward to my first fill on Oct. 9th. I am feeling GREAT!! not much weight loss as of yet, but I know it is to come soon I hope!! anyways i hope to get to know everyone, and share my journey with you all as well as lend my support!

I hope to get my story wrote out soon!!

Congrats on your surgery and know that the first few weeks aren't a time for massive weight loss, so just focus on healing and being healthy. I was a super slow loser at first and until you get your fills and some restriction, you may feel hungry at times, but that is just the fun we all go through called Bandster Hell.

Remember that this is a journey and not a race and the most important thing I tell people is that as hard as it can be sometimes, don't compare yourself to others. We all lose weight differently and at different rates. I was super slow in losing at the beginning and then things clicked for me...after almost 8 full months, 3 of which were spent working with a personal trainer.

Here it is 18 months later and 126 lbs lighter. Success is possible and you just have to believe in yourself. There are times where I wanted to use my scale for target practice, so be sure to take your measurements and I know that blogging really helped me. I met wonderful women i call dear friends now and I have a written record of my journey.

Life is good and a healthy lifestyle is all laid out before you....Best of luck to you!!!

regards,

Stephanie

Hi, Melissa. Welcome and congrats on the start of your journey. Tish is right, concentrate on healing, follow the process and watch the weight fall off. Enjoy the journey. There's nothing like it.

My son is attending college near you. He's a senior at Lindenwood. If you happen to see him, tell him his mother says get away from the girls and go do your homework! LOL!

Thank you girls so much! I think this morning that is exactly what I needed to hear!!