My pre-op testing is scheduled for the 18th. I should be excited right? I am but now it seems real and I'm scared. I want this, I need this, I guess I just need some reassurance from people who have been banded.

It normal to start second guessing your decision when the time comes to make the jump. I know I did. I had started to loose weight on the pre-op diet and suddenly began to rethink the idea that maybe this time I could do it on my own and keep the weight off. -----But then I realized I was just self sabotaging myself.

I am assuming you have done your research. You know all the pros and all the cons of having this done. So don't make an emotional decision. But an educated one. and then stick to it.

It will all work out. I'm only 2 1/2 weeks out, and I can tell this the absolute best thing I have done! wish I would have done it 2 years ago when I first thought about it.

I am also very nervous. I am getting banded May 4th and the nerves have set in. I'm 5ft 2 and 230 lbs. I know I need this and want this but I have 3 children and they have already lost their father due to tragedy and i don't want to do anything that could take me away from them

I'm so sorry about your loss...that probably makes the decision even harder.....I get that.

The surgery is not without risk.....BUT it is minimal.........I had the same kind of feelings...I even had a close cousin die shortly after having WSL-sleeve at the age of 42....so that played heavily on my mind.....but heres the thing....I could notice my health detoriating the last 18 months......I could no longer do the things I used to....I actually started to fear that I might not be here 10 years from now.......So I KNEW I was headed to an early grave if I didn't do this.....where the odds off something happening during the surgery is so minimal.............I was good with it.

I'm only a little over 3 weeks out and I feel like I have turned back the hands of time....I already feel 5 years younger!! I see myself getting stronger EVERY day. At 10 days out, it took me 45 mins to walk 2 miles.....Yesterday, at day 24....I did it in less than 30 mins!!!Next week I hope to have it done to 25 min.

I have been able to get back outside and kick the soccer bal around with the kids and play some basketball with my son!!!---It has been wonderfull.

But the best part is......2 of my kids struggle with their weight. My son (13) sees me watching what I'm eating and exercising...and sees how much better I feel............suddenly he is educating himself on foods and doing crunches and the elliptical everyday....he has lost 12 pounds in the last 3 weeks!!!

My daughter who is 17 was just diagnosed with the PCOS like I have 2 months ago....she is really struggling to get the weight off, but she is trying.....she is walking with me every day and had cut her carbs from probably 150 a day to 50....she has lost about 5 pounds....but its the habits she is making (and breaking) that will make the difference.

My point is.......your kids will see you get health and maybe....with a little luck....you can break this cycle for them!! and they wont suffer with these problem when they are your age.

That really does help knowing you have children and you still did it. I am all they have and I need to be here for them. I prayed that if God didnt want this for me He would close the door but He hasn't. I am only 34 years old and my knees are aching my back kills me and Im just too tired all the time to play with my kids. I sit all day at my job so that doesnt help!!! At 200 pounds I could do alot more but recently I packed on the rest and Im miserable. I rode bikes with my daughter the other day something we always used to do and I could barely make it down 2 streets. When I voice my concerns about the surgery to my family they just brush me off thinking im being overly sensitive since they have already lost one parent Im just emotional. I know my doctor is very skilled and has great success. So im doing this for me and my kids and hope for the best. You are losing weight fast you must be excited. We are going to Disney is November and all I can think about is how great I should feel by then.