I am a 44 Mom with the seven-year-old daughter and a wonderful husband. I have been overweight since my early 20s and I was able to maintain my weight at about 225 pounds at 5 ft 1 inch tall, I was still unhappy with this weight but I was still able to do things. I've done lots of research on the lap band, gastric bypass and the gastric sleeve but never went forward with it and now I have to have the surgery. I lost my father four years ago and in that time I have gained over 80 pounds, I am now over 300 and I'm ashamed and embarrassed with my weight and I want my life back. I haven't been able to do very much with my husband and daughter due to my lack of mobility and my weight and it's frustrating and upsetting. I'm missing out on the best parts of my daughter's life and I don't want to do that anymore, she needs a mother that is able to do things with her.

I finally decided to have the band surgery and I had my surgery at Maples Surgery Clinic on January 31, 2012 and went through the whole process and was on the surgery table and the surgery didn't happen. (I ended up having to find a new clinic to the surgery and I wasn't happy about my experience with them).

I ended up going to Western Surgery Center and had my surgery preformed on October 9, 2012 by Dr. Andrews and Dr. Vergias and the surgery and recover went very well.

I have just had my first fill in December and will be getting my next fill soon. (It would have been sooner if I didn't get the flu) I am learning to pay attention to how much I chew so that I don't get my food stuck and dealing with slime that has not been fun. I haven't lost any weight but I am not putting any pressure on myself because I realize it will take time.

I would love to hear ideas for menu planning (I have a daughter and husband that I have to cook for) and suggestion that might make things easier.

Thank you.

Congratulations on being banded. There is a recipe forum here where you can find ideas. It won't hurt your daughter and hubs to eat healthy. Have you started exercise yet. Walk whenever you can. Do what you can... every little bit helps!