Hello everyone:

I'm new here and thrilled to death to find a lap band community who knows what I am going through.

I haven't been banded yet, but I have completed the screening process at Beth Israel hospital in Boston and have an appointment next month with a surgeon.

I finally have hope. I had lost hope in ever losing weight because I have tried everything twice only to lose weight and gain it back plus some more for good measure.

I have started to let friends and family in on my plan. 99% of them have been so supportive which is such releif. However, there was one friend who was less than supportive. She said stuff like, "you should just be happy with who you are." Then she says "why don't you just find an exercise you like and stick with it instead."

If it were that easy, then none of us would be here. It made me kind of sad, it was like she was going out of her way to bring me down. And to top it off she says, "You know, sometimes the surgeries don't work."

Anyone else dealing with a negative response to their surguries?

"I finally have hope. I had lost hope in ever losing weight because I have tried everything twice only to lose weight and gain it back plus some more for good measure."

That was me to a tee. I think many of us have "dieted" our way up to higher and higher weights. For me the band has been the one thing that actually stopped the insanity! I am very excited for you! I am saving you a seat here on the loser's bench! Good luck!

Welcome!!

I too have delt with skeptical people. My father was the hardest person to tell, for about two weeks he was very negative and telling me about all these people that had RNY and were gaining weight back. However after he had seen all the research that I had done and did some more of his own he is completly supportive. He even wants my sister to get it done! Alot of the time people just do not know about the lap band they hear wls surgery and think only of RNY. Good luck on your journey.

Welcome from a fellow Bostonian!

I only told my parents, sister and a few people I work with. Everyone has been very supportive. On two occasions my sister has commented that she busts her a** at the gym several nights a week and has little to show for it and I've lost 22 pounds in two months. I remind her that I struggle with my food demons everyday and this has not been easy for me either.

I tell her that I still am addicted to food and I don't expect that to ever go away. I must still make the right choices every day and it is difficult.

I have just stared exercising so maybe that will help her feel that I "deserve" this weight loss. And if she doesn't, too bad.

Good luck to you.

Congrats! on your decision. What is important is that YOU are comfortable with your choice. People tend to be negative when they are uninformed and it is natural to be worried about the ones we care about especially when it comes to surgery. Make sure they are well informed, (and mention the fact that it's reversible - that usually quiets them right down). Everyone around me seem to be very supportive but then the last week to few days before surgery people started acting funny asking if I was sure about this. My mom even asked if I could be checked for different diseases such as crohn's because apparently she read about it in Readers Digest and people with Crohns have a difficult time loosing weight. She said she'd hate to see me go through this surgery and then not be able to loose weight. Well being an LPN I informed her that I was sure (without being tested) that I did NOT have any of the symptoms of Crohns. It's just because they are scared and worried about us. Don't let this person get you down! You know the decision you made is what you want and you need to focus on you right now. Tell them not to worry, because you're not and things are going to be Great!

Best wishes!

Welcome and congratulations....honey, you just trust and believe that you are going to do well, and you will...you can't worry about what anyone else thinks about this surgery....you just make up your mind and leave the rest to think what they want...

I have been so fortunate...everyone was so supportive of my decision..after being banded, everyone is curious to know what I am able to eat, how much have I lost, and the most important....would I do it all over again...and of course I say, "YES!"

Hello and welcome! : )

I am from Boston as well and I had my surgery at BIDMC too! The people there are really nice. Do you know which Surgeon you're going with?

I told my parents at first and slowly began to tell my friends/co-workers as soon as my surgery date was booked. I didn't want to tell anyone my plans unless I knew it was FINAL, you know? I hear comments/advice everyday on my weight loss, It feels great to have that kind of support.

Good luck! And feel free to PM me if you like, Since you'll be done at the same place I was !

Hi Boston Newbie,

I am from Massachusetts as well and got banded 7/18/2006 at Emerson Hospital. I am 9 months out now and can tell you that you are about to embark on an amazing ride if you follow the rules, but the effort in and enjoy self-discovery. I luckily had supportive people who encouraged the surgery in my life ( as I should being 30 yrs. old, 5'3'' and weighing 274 lbs.) It took a younger PCP to encourage me to do it and boy, am I glad that I did. I have now lost over 100 lbs- a size 12 at 172.

My best advice to you is totally sumerse yourself in a healthy lifestyle. If you didn't workout or try to be active and enjoy healthy eating before- do it now. Your friends and family will see that you are changing and changing for the better. And if they don't...... I can guarentee that you will be so happy that you couldn't care less The surgery in my opinion lasts forever because to get down to my type of weightloss and keep it off- you have to work hard, make it a priority, embrace it and fill your life with people who encourage a healthy lifestyle. Roll over those who can't keep up becuase it is Showtime!

Keep posting here and good luck to you!