I have had a weight problem for over 10 years. It started out with just 20-30 pounds over weight but as I grew older and stressed I ate more and more. I would lose weight but I never maintained the loss. The biggest gain for me started about 3 years ago when I made the decision to move away from my family for my career. At first I was okay no weight gain but as I began missing my family the more I pulled away from the life I had created away from home and would dwell on how much I missed home. That's when I started eating more and more. Before I knew it I was 70 lbs heavier. I tried Zumba and walking to get the weight off but somehow I ended up with a cyst on my knee. Walking or even bending my knees have become painful. In Jan 2013 I made the decision to change careers and move back home. I started getting interviews quickly and was able to obtain a job doing exactly what I wanted for a great company. So that brings me to now. I'm happy again but now I have all this weight that is still here. My blood pressure is only maintained with medicine. I received a call from True Results to check to see if I qualified for insurance to cover it. (I had tried once before but didn't have a high enough BMI). On July 30th I went in to my appointment expecting to go home disappointed but I left with the goal of an early September surgery date. Insurance approved my surgery late August for September 19th.

I am not sure my goal weight yet I would like to be down to 140 from 269 but I'm not sure if that's too much. I'm excited and nervous but ready. I still haven't told many people that I'm doing the surgery. I have some friends that I knew would support me that I told but I have others that are overweight and are content. They will not understand that for my health it's the right option. This is long winded. I started writing and I just couldn't stop.

Congrats with getting a surgery date. This is just the beginning of your LB journey, this is the best place to find support. Keep us informed.

Hi there, September 19th is the date I meet with the nutritionist and psych eval -- two more steps toward getting the surgery date. I will think of you that day, wishing you a speedy recovery. Wonderful to have the job you want, back near your family and now taking hold of your health issues. Exciting times ahead!

Best of luck!

Welcome to our banding world on the 19th! I joined on September 8th in 2006.

They moved my surgery up so tomorrow is the day. I am excited and nervous but ready!

Congrats! I had my surgery on Friday the 13th - I have only had small minor issues after surgery and I'm getting better every day! I wish you luck was worth it I've lost 12 1/2 pounds so far!

Surgery went good, I'm not really hurting but the gas is driving me nuts.

Glad to hear your surgery went well. I had the gas issue too and actually had to go back to the hospital the next day because I had no idea what was going on. Everything turned out fine. Your journey now begins. Good luck!