This is my first post. I will be banded on Tuesday, March 7th. I'm trying to connect with the 3 ladies who attended my pre-opt class last Thursday at Dr. Abkin's office. I know I met Tanya and Wanda and another lady. All four of us were there together while the snow and sleet amassed outside.

Needless to say, I'm nervous and somewhat freaked after the pre-opt class. TMI (too much info). I just want to know I will wake up after the procedure and that I won't have any regrets. Any words of comfort of advice from experienced bandsters? My surgery is at 9:30 AM and I have to be there at 7:30. :nervous

Once again, I would love to talk to the ladies I met last Thursday. :)

Welcome to bandland and LBT!

No one can tell you whether you will have regrets or not.

Well, that isn't quite true. The first few weeks I'm sure there will be plenty of regret, plenty of 'OH MY GAWD!!!! WHAT DID I DO?????" Trust me on this. You body will be freaking out, your head will be freaking out. But that's all normal, and I can't think of a single bandster that didn't regret what they had done during the first couple of weeks.

You will probably regret the Band the very first time you have a massive PB where you are sure you are going to vomit stuff you ate last week. You will probably regret your band when it won't let you gorge on pizza and beer.

BUT! And this is a very big but, after you heal, after you get your first fill, and after you start racking up your non-scale victories (NSV), you will be amazed and the change in quality of your life. I can't even begin to tell you how your life will change.

I've lost about 30 pounds in my year being banded, and I wouldn't give up my band. Sure I rant and rail about being a Turtle, complain a lot because I don't lose anywhere near that 1-2 pounds a week. But it's one of the very best things I've ever done for myself.

Hi, I am another very happy Abkin patient, you may have heard me speak at one of the new patient seminars, I also co-moderate the support group which is the 2nd Wednesday of the month, this month on the 8th 7 pm at their offices in florham park.

I will gladly answer any questions you may have, I will PM you my number and e-mail if you want to talk more.

I'm sure you will be feeling up the the support group on the last Wednesday of the month, please join us there 7 Pm.

Alexandra