OK. Here goes......

I think I should say a little something about myself since I am reading all about y'all. I got my referral from my PCP on 10/16/13 and go for my orientation/class, meeting with insurance counselor, and first apt with the surgeon/team on 11/7/13. I am going to UVA (University of VA) and am not sure who my surgeon will be yet (because it is a teaching hospital).

I have been overweight my whole life and I am sure like many of you I have struggled to control it. I know I have a food addition...more like sugar addiction. I have tried so many different things; most recently I tried a drug called Qsymia with no results. It has been very frustrating. Add the fact that I have some other medical issues that have developed in the last few years and between the conditions and the meds, the weight keeps piling on.

What made me decide to have the surgery is that my PCP (and my Rheumatologist) told me that loosing the weight would make me feel better. Less pain can't be a bad thing and I am willing to do almost anything to get there. I am realistic; I know that loosing weight is not a "cure all" for my medical issues or for emotional ones.

I am very excited to start this journey and am happy to have found a community to share it with. I have a great support system at home, but they will not understand everything my body and mind are going through. I have found inspiration and knowledge here and want to thank you all. Sharing your stories have helped someone (me) and I look forward to sharing my journey with the hope of helping someone too.

Hello Jill and welcome!

OK. Here goes......

I think I should say a little something about myself since I am reading all about y'all. I got my referral from my PCP on 10/16/13 and go for my orientation/class' date=' meeting with insurance counselor, and first apt with the surgeon/team on 11/7/13. I am going to UVA (University of VA) and am not sure who my surgeon will be yet (because it is a teaching hospital).

I have been overweight my whole life and I am sure like many of you I have struggled to control it. I know I have a food addition...more like sugar addiction. I have tried so many different things; most recently I tried a drug called Qsymia with no results. It has been very frustrating. Add the fact that I have some other medical issues that have developed in the last few years and between the conditions and the meds, the weight keeps piling on.

What made me decide to have the surgery is that my PCP (and my Rheumatologist) told me that loosing the weight would make me feel better. Less pain can't be a bad thing and I am willing to do almost anything to get there. I am realistic; I know that loosing weight is not a "cure all" for my medical issues or for emotional ones.

I am very excited to start this journey and am happy to have found a community to share it with. I have a great support system at home, but they will not understand everything my body and mind are going through. I have found inspiration and knowledge here and want to thank you all. Sharing your stories have helped someone (me) and I look forward to sharing my journey with the hope of helping someone too.[/quote']

Hello Jill and welcome. I have some of the same things also. My arthritis does not require a rheumatologists. Hopefully I will be better once I have the surgery. I would like to let you know I have learned so much and I hope you will too.

Hello and welcome!!

Welcome. The best thing I did was get the band. I am off all medications except for the vitamins and minerals that are required. I can walk more and longer. I have a very bad back and bad knees but I go to the gym and do what I can. Aquatic exercise is the best for sore joints but where I went closed and I never went else where.

A few things I didn't do before the surgery. Take pictures and measurements. Measurements seem to go down faster than scale I have found.

Good luck and keep us posted on your meetings.

Arlene

Hi Jill and welcome aboard

I am also just starting my journey. Hello and welcome!

Hi there, very excited for you! I've been on this forum for a few months and have learned so much from the people here. Now everything is falling into place and in two weeks I'll be banded. I look forward to being on the forum together!

Welcome aboard. You will learn a lot here

Hi & welcome to your new home.

Hello Jill and welcome. You're going to find some amazing tips, friends, encouragement, and a whole lot of other things on this site. Thanks for sharing your story with us.

welcome welcome, this site is a lifesaver. nice that you found it so fast. good luck on your journey

Welcome. I am new also. One week post op and doing good. This site is great. You also will find a lot of motivating stories.

We are all here for each other and we can not fail.