I am finally scheduled for my lap band surgery which is gonna be 2/27. Im exited but nervous!!! I hope me body reacts well to it. I need some help. I have two questions how did you guys react to negative opinions from friends and family about getting the lap band? And also this is my fourth day on the liquid diet it's been tough but doable, however the strange thing is every time I go #2 it's super greasy and liquidy is this normal??? I know GROSS but figured ill ask. Thanks in advance!!!

I am finally scheduled for my lap band surgery which is gonna be 2/27. Im exited but nervous!!! I hope me body reacts well to it. I need some help. I have two questions how did you guys react to negative opinions from friends and family about getting the lap band? And also this is my fourth day on the liquid diet it's been tough but doable, however the strange thing is every time I go #2 it's super greasy and liquidy is this normal??? I know GROSS but figured ill ask. Thanks in advance!!!

I did get some negative feedback from a few friends and family. I told them this my decision, I am doing this for me and my health so you can either be with me or against me. Respect my decision and I'll respect yours.

I didnt tell anyone but a few very close family and friends (only 4 people before surgery). I didnt want to hear ANYONE'S opinion on a choice that me and my ever supportive hubby made together wisely, after researching and after many many questions. I didnt want people looking at me afterwards looking to see what i was eating, was i doing the "right" things, and most importantly was it working or was I failing as I did with ever diet in the past.

It is a very tough decision to have WLS, in my opinion, and I really wasnt interested in hearing anyone else's view points....i told my immediate family after the surgery...and i felt bad that some of them were perturbed that they werent "in the loop" prior but honestly they didnt need to be.

Even to this day, 5 months later and 79 pounds down...only my immediately family knows and a few close friends and a few people from work. People ask me daily what "im doing" and I just tell them eating small portions and working hard...both the truth. I am finding myself coming out and saying i had WLS when people ask me what i am doing. Maybe I am more comfortable with it and myself now that I feel better about myself both mentally and physically.

Thats my story...do whats best for YOU! This is YOUR decision and YOUR life and YOU need to feel comfortable about it.

Best of luck on your upcoming surgery and be sure to let us know how you are doing!

Chasing a dream - I haven't told too many people. The only ones that know I am having the lap band is my supportive husband, my mom, both my sisters, one brother and some friends. I weigh 270 pds and I'm 5'6". I've tried everything to loose weight and I'll loose some but it all comes back with a vengeance and then some. It was all a reality check when i found out my sister who is 80 pds smaller than me was told she had high cholesterol and high blood pressure. It shocked me I'm lucky I am still healthy and I don't have anything wrong with me yet. So I decided this is what I need to do to be there for my husband and kids 20 years from now. The issue arose when my friends and my brother can't really understand why I am getting it. I've been called lazy, telling me I'm taking the easy way out and one friend even told me even if you loose all the weight you'll just be smaller because you got the lap band not because you really tried. The rest of my family doesn't know because someone we know had the lap band done and it didn't really work for her so I don't want any more negative opinions. I feel like I'm really emotional right now and don't want the bad judgement cause I don't know how I will react. Normally I'll sit there and try to help them understand but I think in the state I'm in I'll break down. Who knew not eating can make you so emotionally unstable???

I am still waiting for the insurance company to approve my surgery but I understand what you are going through. My husband who is very supportive on whatever I decide to do, told my mom that I had a referral to see a bariatric surgeon. He did not know I did not tell her, so she went off. She said there are to many things that can go wrong and so on and so on. I have not told her that I am following through and getting banded. I want to but I do not want to hear the negative stuff that she will say. My friends are very supportive though and I am thankful for that. I have only told one of my brothers and his wife and thats it. I am at a cross to tell the rest of my family or not. I do not want the negative that you have received. Also I have not started my pre-op diet so I cannot answer you question on that. Good Luck!

Hi Emily, congratulations on your upcoming surgery and surviving the first days of the liquid diet. I'd say on the digestion/elimination question that you are probably cleansing but if it continues you should put in a call to the doctor's office or nutritionist to go over any ingredients that may be giving you a problem.

I'm a pretty private person and did not tell very many people -- just my husband and our son (but only right before and I was a little vague about it) then a handful of friends. There are a couple I wish I hadn't mentioned it to -- not because of any negativity but just because I'd like it to really be my secret. Not sure why! I may end up blabbing it to the world, and certainly if there's some one I could help by telling them about my experience I would like to do that.

I specifically did not tell my mother. She loves me but she would have been overly-involved and worried. She is thin but always complaining about her weight and I know my size has been a source of embarrassment to her over the years. Eeeek, horrible but true. Anyway, I'm glad you have good people around you and the ones who ask inappropriate questions or invade your privacy in any way should be told right away that you are not comfortable talking about it -- or however you want to phrase it.

Just know that you are making a big step in your healthy future and choosing yourself now -- it's a wonderfully powerful thing. Good luck to you!

About the oily diarrhea, call your doc, they should be able to help you. There are OTC and even prescription meds that can help. You shouldn't have to suffer while you are suffering through a sucky pre-op diet!

Okay, here is my take on Negative Nancys. Screw 'em. This is your chance. You are taking your health in your hands, you are taking strong, positive action to get healthy. How you do it is YOUR business. Last time I looked, it's your body. Last time I looked, it's your choice what you do with it, it's your choice how you treat it, what medical procedures you have done to it. No one else has any right to tell you yes from no and while they have every right to express their opinion, that opinion means exactly squat. All that matters is what you want, what you need and what you do for you. Remember that if/when anyone gives you any crap about what you are doing.

Good luck with your surgery.

Thank you all!!!!

I think we all have a case of nerves to some point, I had them really bad, almost to the point of backing out! But I am glad I didn't, it is going to be so worth it, actually already is! 31# in 2 months! I didn't tell anyone except of corse my husband and 2/3 kids and my best friend. I didn't tell my one son cause I know him so well, he would make some remark about taking the cheaters way out of losing weight! So not going there with him, love him to death but don't need the negativity, and what really sucks I seem him last weekend and he didn't even notice or say anything to me that I looked different, like come on, I have gone from a size 20 to a 14 ;( , so fooey on him!

About your pooh problem , I kinda had the same thing going on, I figured it was just garbage flushing out of my system. But I would check with your doctor to be sure! Best of luck on your journey! You can do this!

Once I was resolved, I made a post on FB of all places. I knew it would draw negativity. I knew what I had decided and why was for my benefit so I said it and braced for impact. Oddly only a couple people said anything that MIGHT be considered negative. Most people just asked questions. Now nearly 4 weeks out 3 friend have approached and asked more detail questions on what it takes to get the procedure. Not what I was expecting at all! My perspective, stand tall, be proud about your choice and people will see only your strength and those that don't can stick it in the suck it bucket! You are a warrior princess. Don't forget it girl.