My name is Desiree and I set my surgery date for October 4th yesterday. I've been on a journey of working to lose weight for a couple of years now. It all began a few years ago when I destroyed the cartridge in my knee and had to have surgery that put me on crutches for 6 weeks and I couldn't put any kind of weight on my leg. I decided to seriously work to lose weight then and was at my heaviest which was 342. I recovered from surgery and starting working with a personal trainer and following a strict diet. I lost several inches in 3 months, but only about 20 lbs. While working with my trainer I once again tore up the same knee, only a different injury. This time it the cartilage on my femur and had a hold 2 inches in diameter torn into it. This equaled another surgery and this time 8 weeks on crutches with no weight allowed.

I had considered the bypass and band off and on for several years but was always uncomfortable with rerouting nature's plumbing and having something plastic that required upkeep in my body. That all changed after learning about my stupid knee injury. While waiting for my knee surgery I went to a seminar for surgery. I found out all the requirements for my insurance company and started working on them. I found success with a non surgical doctor in the same office and put off the surgery part. Due to recovery time I had a stall in my dr visits and had to start over three months later. I had gained back most of my weight while recovering but over the next several months of starting back up I had dropped 30 lbs. I was happy and all was going well until the pain in my knee came back and I couldn't work out. I was told I have stress fractures in my knee caused by my weight and the thinner cartridge in my knee. The doctor said I need to lose weight more quickly so he recommended surgery. I consulted with my weight loss doctor and next thing I know I'm waiting on insurance approval. It was fairly easy because I'd already had the dietician visits and the psych evaluation.

My surgery date is less than three weeks away and on Monday I start a two week diet of no fat, low fat, no meat. I'm starting to freak out and trying to find answers to all of these questions that are suddenly popping in my head and I do not like what I have found online so far. Then I found this site. I'm looking forward to sharing my journey with everyone and putting to rest some of my fears. :svengo:

Congrats and welcome. You are in the right place for getting a lot of different experiences and knowledge.

Thank you. I've been reading through the forums and some of my fear is going away. I have a very supportive husband and family, but no one in my family has gone through this process and they friends that have either had bypass or lapband lost weight and gained it all back. I don't really feel like I have anyone that I can look to for support that knows what I'll be going through. Well that was until I found this site. :thumbup1:

Hey Des...you are going to be so successful! My surgery date is October 7th. Im a little nervous too...BUT, I know I need to get this weight off and keep it off. Good luck you are gonna do just fine!

:thumbup:it is perfectly normal to feel freaked out and nervous. on the other hand, you feel this excitement as well....because you will go through unbelievable changes. so i wish you the best of luck and please keep us posted....welcome to your new journey to weight loss.

Thank you. I've been reading through the forums and some of my fear is going away. I have a very supportive husband and family, but no one in my family has gone through this process and they friends that have either had bypass or lapband lost weight and gained it all back. I don't really feel like I have anyone that I can look to for support that knows what I'll be going through. Well that was until I found this site.

I totally understand that statement, my mom has expressed her concern that for the money I paid and my low BMI that I might eventually gain it back. We know a couple people who had gastric and gained it back and a few people that had the old stomach stapling in the 80's and they are all big now.

I also feel bad because I encouraged this girl at work to have the lap band over a year ago. She had it and I think she hated it. I don't think she even lost more then 20 pounds. I think she never even got a fill. She was always heavy and she comes from a heavy family. She is absolutely beautiful too and she has a great husband (he worked with us also) who loves her the way she was. I don't work there any longer and I know she is pregnant now but I just don't think the lap band was right for her.

I don't think I am any more special then anyone else so I have no idea how to reassure myself or anyone else that I will be different and keep the weight off. So I just have to use the tool daily and not abuse it, I was lucky I could afford to have it done and do not want to waste this gift.

hey des, welcome and it is normal to be scared, etc before surgery, keep asking questions here you will feel at ease.....

Mila