Hi.... I'm an RN from southwest Michigan, near Notre Dame, IN. I own a respite center for people suffering from Alzheimer's and their caregivers.

I have an appointment on Dec. 29th with a Bariatrix Clinic in Holland, MI. I'm excited, but at the same time, feel like my family and friends look at a procedure, as a fail??

Anyway, I am glad you are there.....thanks!

Well it is not about them it is about YOU!

It's not a fail, it's a brave step in the right direction. You can't change what people think or how they feel...Just worry about yourself. They'll come around.

Welcome agnonn

Who cares... you are doing this for YOU! and just you wait as they see the progress they will soon start cheering you on and they will see it as anything BUT a fail!

becky

Welcome to the lapband forum. I understand where you are coming from as far as the "failing" goes. I thought the same thing initially. Like, how did I get here? That is okay. Some of us need extra help. Good luck with your impending surgery. Keep us posted on your progress.

Hi Ajnonn,

I can relate to your feeling that way. I don't see it that way anymore, maybe because I have been researching it for so long. And this board is just wonderful. My daughter is also and RN and works with 4 women (3 nurses and 1 tech.) that had either gastric bypass or banding and she is fully supportive of me.

I don't look at this as a failure, it look at it as accepting the help that I need. I figure the technolgy is out there, my insurance should cover it and banding is safe...so I'm going for it.

My doctor acted quite odd to the idea the other day, but I put in for a referral and we'll go from there. I booked my first consult in Jan. If she will not support me, then I will go elsewhere.

Good luck.

I know a woman here in town, she is a cashier at the local grocery store. For years she had quite a drug problem. She finally completed a rehab program that stuck, and has been clean for over 5 years. She is a pretty woman, but her teeth had literally rotted out of her head. About a month ago, I saw she had been advanced to a cashier from a carry-out/bagger position---and I saw that she now had a full set of dentures. If you had not seen her before you wouldn't have known they were not her own teeth.

The point of this is. Yes you made yourself fat. I made myself fat. I ate the food, and I did not exercise enough. This woman did the drugs that ruined her teeth. She made a choice to get clean and healthy......and went to rehab. I made a choice to get healthy...and was banded. No one criticizes her new smile...she doesn't have it because she is a failure. She has it because she chose to change the direction of her life. So did I and I chose the band to help me. Anyone who knows me, and continues to view my choice as a failure---is not worthy of me anyway. I know we all have the self doubts. That is natural, and acceptable, and maybe even necessary for us to be pushed into the changes we must make. BUT for others to view us that way is totally unacceptable!!!

We have all been there, and we will continue to be here....full of support for you and your decision!

Welcome to LBT!!!

Kat

You are brave and taking a powerful step in taking control of your life!!! When people were negative to me about the band, and taking the "easy" way out.....I just discussed how I had lost the pounds twice before and put it all back on plus more!!! The band is a tool that is going to help me keep this weight off. Also you do not have to tell anyone that you don't want to. This is a lifestyle change but not such a huge one that people would notice.....just let them think what they want when the pounds start to gradually come off...maybe they will start asking you for diet/excercising advice

I am getting it done in 2 weeks. I feel if it makes you happy don't worry what others say. I have a few family members that try to discourage me about it. I really can not wait.