I've been excited about getting this surgery for the last six months but now that it's almost here (hopefully next month) I am getting nervous and wondering if this will work for me. I have had success losing weight in the past just to gain it back, but i have slowly gained over the past five years without losing. I've tried too many times to count but by the third day I am starving and just give up and go back to eating whatever I want. I know I have some willpower because I did quit smoking 3 months ago after being a smoker for 22 years. I've also started excercising about the same time I quit smoking and I'm now walking 5 days a week compared to the ZERO excercise I've done in the past 10 years.

I have my first support group meeting tonight and you know what's crazy? I'm nervous about going because I'm afraid I'll be the biggest one there! Hello it IS a support group for WLS.

Anyone else nervous and have doubts?

You're off to a great start with the exercising and smoking! Those are huge accomplishments already! I certainly had doubts and still get frustrated at times, but it has all been worth it so far. Best wishes to you!

Thank you! I think I'm just nervous bc it will totally change my life but I'm ready for a change. ???Š

You have the will power to quit smoking and determination to start exercise.. You now have to get the "want" power as CG says... you can do this.. at your age you have a lifetime ahead of you to live healthy... Continue on your path and your body will thank you.

You're off to a great start by a) recognizing you'll need to change your behavior; not thinking it will be easy; and c) your seeking support both locally and here online.

There's nothing wrong with having doubt it's just an opportunity to examine your options. All that matters is what you decide, everything else is out if your control so worrying about it won't change anything.

Good luck with your new journey. You will not be the largest person at the support. I was far from it and i weighed a lot. I go every month. I started about 10 months before I got banded and now I am 10 months after band and still go. This week the hospital chef is making 3 different meals with the dietitian of the WLS group. Good luck with your choice. We all can lose weight but keeping it off is why I think, all of us have the band, our tool for life.

I'm curious - in the past when you were trying to keep the weight off - what kind of support did you have?

Support is such a huge part of keeping it off, making sure your friends are aware of the support you need, and start now with finding foods of small portions that will keep you satisfied. (I've become a tuna freak this month haha). I've also found that the drinking rule helps SOOO Much! And I'm still pre-op. Do not drink beverages for 30 to 45 minutes before or after meals. - such a good rule! It was a difficult one though, I really love to wash my food down, but then I'm insanely hungry hours later. Now I'm able to feel satisfied longer.

I also joined tumblr and made a blog about my fitness and health and I reblog and follow others who are on the same path I am, that way even visually I'm inspired by healthy foods, etc.

Set yourself up for success lady! ;]

Thank you guys! Feeling more positive now. The support group meeting was great. I guess before I didn't really have a support system. I feel like that has changed. My family is supportive as well as my coworkers. I think going to the meetings will be very important for me.