Hello! My name is Stephanie. I am 23 years old and I live about 30 minutes east of Kansas City.I just went to one of the seminars for LapBand surgery this last week. I have been struggling the last 6 years with my weight. When I was a junior in High School, I got pregnant. I became very depressed and ate everything in my path. I gained about 60-70 pounds with my son. The last 3 years, I have been trying to get all this weight off, but have just been very unsuccessful. I'm tired of not being able to run around with my almost 6 year old. I have some people in my life that are truly against me getting this surgery. Mainly,, my boyfriend of almost 7 years and my manager at my job. Alot of the nurses I work with have been nothing but supporting of me. I have decided I am doing something for myself and am being completely selfish. I hope to get to know some of you all!

Good for you for taking control of your health! Stick around, and read read read. There are a lot of good magazine articles, and longstanding threads with tips and tricks.

Hi Stephanie, glad to hear from you. I'm not banded yet either (surgery consult is 7/6/12). I am also new here and so far it has been a great source of information and support. I'm quite a bit older than you (56), but your story is a familiar one. People who have not struggled with obesity just don't get it and they never will. I just try to educate the people around me and then they are either on board or they're not. Bottom line you have to decide for yourself and some people might see that as selfish but I don't think it is. A happier healthier you is always a good thing. Best of luck to you. Let us know how you are doing.

My husband stands behind me 100%.

I only told my best friend, my sister and my daughter-in-law & son. I have sworn them all to secrecy.

People at my job (the bosses who had to ok my absence) only know I had surgery, by law they can not ask.

I do not need anyone else second guessing me or lecturing me on something they know nothing about.

It is a personal decision to share your journey, I have chose not to share.

My 6 yr old grandson who I am raising is a big reason I had my surgery.

Good luck to you on your journey, I hope your boyfriend can get on board with you, it will make it easier.

If this is something you feel you need to do then do not let anyone talk you out of it.

Do it for yourself and to be there for you son.