Would everyone like to get to know each other a little better? Like age, what you do for a living, hobbies, favourite exercise, that kind of thing?

I'm 34, a SAHM, favourite hobby is reading, and favourite exercise is roller blading. Also I'm Canadian but just moved to Arkansas.

Hello everyone,

I am a forty year old single woman living in Sacramento, CA. I am the Director of Membership for a professional medical association. I purchased my own home three years ago. I love reading, writing and vacationing. My favorite vacation spot is Las Vegas, although I do love cruises as well. Going on a cruise to Alaska this May. Really looking forward to that. I love sports, football, baseball, and hockey are my favorites. Go Raiders! I am a true die hard. I grew up in Oakland, CA with brief stints in Kansas City, Sacramento, Mississippi, and Arkansas. Stepfather was a truck driver, we went were he went.

I have been overweight since high school. And finally decided enough was enough, after years of going up and down with one diet or another, it was time to get this under control.

Hello to you all

My name is Amy. I grew up, and still live in Perth, Western Australia. I was banded on the 13th November '07.

My husbands name is John, we have been married for 8 years, and together for 15 years. We have 2 children, Madi who is 12, and Aiden who is 9. Both Madi and Aiden are sports mad, they both play Tee Ball at State level (we just had a big carnival today), Madi will probably go on to Baseball next year.

I have been overweight since being pregnant with Madi, put on 25kg with her, and then more and more after that - since then it's just been the whole lose it gain it + gain more (as I'm sure you all know).

I really love walking, I find that's my zone out time, where I really don't think about anything at all. We have a dog called Sandy - she's a beautiful Mastiff... but is a lazy walker lol..

John is a Welder/Boilermaker and I am not currently working, but will be returning to work in the new year. I work in Aged Care, my last position was Nightshift Co-Ordinater. I love and respect most elderly people, I think there is a lot we can learn from them, and try instill these beliefs in my children.

I am a bit of a bookworm and like to read a range of different types of books. I am also finding myself visiting this message board more frequently than I really should, lol, but I think that's because I'm hungry for information, even though I considered myself well informed before I got my band (researched for about a year before I took the jump).

Anyway - enough of my blah blah..

It's nice to have read about you all... thanks for sharing your stories. Amy

I'm Christi (in real life). I have been married to dh for 12 1/2 years and we have 2 fantastic little boys (age 7 1/2 and almost 2). My little one will be 2 on New Year's Eve. I am an X-ray tech and work part-time at a hospital here in St. Louis. So, I really dreaded the pre-op Upper GI and really really dreaded the post-op gastrografin swallow since I do such mean horrible things to other people!

I am 32 now,and have been overweight since around the age of 8. I have tried every diet known, and finally took the plunge with the lap-band on Nov. 19. I was scared of the surgeries because I have seen some of the complications that can occur, so I really resisted the idea of this until a few months ago. I regret nothing. My in-shape husband and VERY active boys struggled a little bit today to keep up with me.....it's amazing how much energy losing 17lbs. will give you! They're going to have to watch out...I am enjoying the energy that I haven't had, that they have taken for granted!

Looking forward to getting to know all of you better!

Hi everyone I am almost 40 and live in Illinios with my 2nd husband of 7 wonderful yrs. I have 2 children a handsome son who will be 18 next month whoo whoo and a beautiful daughter 15. My husband has 3 children boy 14 girl 13 and a nother son 11 who are also here most of the time:help: lol and we had a dog together shelylynn as I tell ppl. My bestfriend had gasteric by-pass done in june 07 and has lost 95 pds,she looks so good ,but I didn't want to go that way for many reasons.It took a while for my insurance to approve my lapband but finially did I get banded in 4 days i am very excited. I am on the liquid diet now and am doing a lot better then I thought I would on it. I am looking for recipes now so if other members have any please let me know. thank you and good luck everyone.