Hi everybody,

Been lurking a short time, reading some great encouraging stories about you all, so I thought it might be about time to say hi. Like most, I've been fighting the battle of the bulge for years, actually since childhood, and lately it's been catching up with me. The final straw came when my wife and I went on a cruise, and I had a hard time getting from one end of the ship to the other. Sad. We got back home, and I started the process of contacting a surgeon that a co-worker recommended, having had the lap band herself. First, we found out I had gal stones, and he removed my gal bladder. Then the adventure took a turn for the worse, as I tried to get my health insurance to pick up the tab for the band. After trying for a year, I've given up, and am now self paying. I guess if I've gotten myself into this, I've got to get myself out. The good part is my health insurance has gotten a doctor to make recommendations for setting up a criteria that others will have to meet in order to have it covered. Anyway, here I am, through all the hoops, and self paying. Today is my day, and around noon, the adventure begins. I look forward to getting to know you all, and wish you all the best.

Arty

hope you are recovering well.

Check in when you are up and about! Wishing you a speedy recovery!!

Hey Arty, Welcome from East Texas. Hope you are doing well. It gets better day by day. I was walking four blocks the day after mine,and you will feel much better after the swelling goes down.I need to change my ticker as I am almost to goal and that is'nt the bands fault. I just kinda got comfortable where I am now. The best to you.

Sallyjo:)

Hi everybody,

Been lurking a short time, reading some great encouraging stories about you all, so I thought it might be about time to say hi. Like most, I've been fighting the battle of the bulge for years, actually since childhood, and lately it's been catching up with me. The final straw came when my wife and I went on a cruise, and I had a hard time getting from one end of the ship to the other. Sad. We got back home, and I started the process of contacting a surgeon that a co-worker recommended, having had the lap band herself. First, we found out I had gal stones, and he removed my gal bladder. Then the adventure took a turn for the worse, as I tried to get my health insurance to pick up the tab for the band. After trying for a year, I've given up, and am now self paying. I guess if I've gotten myself into this, I've got to get myself out. The good part is my health insurance has gotten a doctor to make recommendations for setting up a criteria that others will have to meet in order to have it covered. Anyway, here I am, through all the hoops, and self paying. Today is my day, and around noon, the adventure begins. I look forward to getting to know you all, and wish you all the best.

Arty

I'm going to tell you this, just in case no one else does. No one told me. I'm banded from a week ago today. But the day of the surgery was the absolute worst day of my life. I felt lost. How in the hell did I get there? (my BMI is the same as yours). What did I do to deserve being coded with the feast-or-famine gene? My surgery was at 8:30AM, and it wasn't until many doses of liquid codeine later and 8PM that night, that I thought of anything other than how absolutely messed up my life was. So if you're feeling that way today, you are at least as 'normal' as this fat guy.

Now, a week later, I basically feel fine. I'm walking a mile or two every other morning, etc. (I used to be a gym-type guy until food pushed that over.)

For those who didn't, don't, or won't suffer like this cry-baby fat guy just described (me) on surgery day, good for you, and forget what I've said. I just don't want you to feel alone, like me, if you do.

God bless us all,

greg

Welcome Arty. Hope you are doing well. I am so glad i got the band. Hope it works as well for you. Donna

Hey Arty,

Welcome! I hope you're doing well.

Thanks. It's been a week today, and feeling better every day. Got my check up tomorrow with my surgeon. All is good so far.

Thanks littleroo1. Starting to feel back to normal. Got a long way to go, but made the first step.

Thanks Sallyjo. Doing great up here in the great Northwet. Got a couple of friends and relatives down your way. Y'all stay cool.

Hi Greg, and thanks. I didn't feel too lost, but I did feel a little down, that I'd let myself get to the point of surgery being my only possible savior. I felt bad for myself, but then remembered, I'm not alone in this, there are litteraly thousands of people just like me, who are needing this help. We're a segment of the population that are readily descriminated against and made fun of. But that's about to change, for me, and you, and many like us. There was a mini series on HBO not too long ago, "Band of Brothers". I say, from this day forth, we have a common bond, and are now a "Band of Brothers, and Sisters". I'm proud to say, I've joined the band.

Hi Donna,

I too am glad I got the band, and am doing fine. Hope all is well, and look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks thinnerme, it gets better everyday.