Hi I'm Millie Kay,

I'm set to be banded Dec 4th 2013. As I have discussed my decision with a chosen few people in my life I've received a variety of responses. The best explanation I have for the nay sayers and the haters is this is about Me and it's for Me. I've done my due diligence in research and I believe I'm ready. I'm glad this community is here for support, I'm going to need it. I start my pre-op diet tomorrow and the eye rolling has already began, lol. I'm not going to let it break my stride because It's Me that matters right now

At almost a year banded, lots of folks are aware that I've had WLS. I don't advertise it but I often 'fess up' when asked about it. I've never had any negative feedback but the truth is that I am embarrased that I got so heavy and out of control in the first place. There is still that part of me that thinks I am a failure for not being able to do this on my own. I'm not embarrassed with you folks on the forum as so many of you can understand what I mean but out in the regular world, I must admit that I don't often care to discuss it.

I realize this is my issue, and not a reaction from any negative response or feedback from anyone but it just is how I feel and I can't change that. I'll tell you what I am looking forward to though. I want to be able to maintain the weight loss and over time, have people forget how heavy I was and just see the thinner me as the 'new normal'. That's my current goal for now....not the 20 or so pounds I'd still like to lose.

I have a friend who was banded June 2011. She went from 227lb to 180lb. She did a temporary retirement and moved to the beach. She never returned to the doctors for fills or unfills. At the beach, she was tempted by seafood and steak places and ate at them daily/weekly. She over ate which caused her to have a hernia and lower esophagus problems. The doctor she saw told her Tue band ruined her. She is now 100% against lapband and is 100% against me having it.

I have another friend who is approximately 40+ lbs heavier than I am and she too will not discuss it with me! I also have a co-worker who is approximately 275-300lbs and she keeps saying she needs to put meat on my bones. If I were to explain to her I'm having WLS, she would most likely say I'm nuts. In her eyes (or others at a higher weight) compare and feel you (others) don't need WLS.

I have a friend who was banded June 2011. She went from 227lb to 180lb. She did a temporary retirement and moved to the beach. She never returned to the doctors for fills or unfills. At the beach, she was tempted by seafood and steak places and ate at them daily/weekly. She over ate which caused her to have a hernia and lower esophagus problems. The doctor she saw told her Tue band ruined her. She is now 100% against lapband and is 100% against me having it.

I have another friend who is approximately 40+ lbs heavier than I am and she too will not discuss it with me! I also have a co-worker who is approximately 275-300lbs and she keeps saying she needs to put meat on my bones. If I were to explain to her I'm having WLS, she would most likely say I'm nuts. In her eyes (or others at a higher weight) compare and feel you (others) don't need WLS.

Well...obviously you are aware that the friend who abused the band created her problems by being non-compliant so her opinion shouldn't matter to you at all. Not sure why the friend who is heavier won't discuss it with you. Is she banded? If not, she may be seeing your being banded as a threat to your relationship. Same for the friend who wants to put meat on your bones. That's nothing but misery loves company.

Honestly, these are all very negative people and if I were you, I'd steer clear of them for a while.

Peering into your future, I see success!! Best wishes, Karen....aka..kll724