let's tell each other a little about ourselves. since we are going on this journey together i think it would be nice. what do you think?? you stuff like married? kids? occupation ect

I'm a 61 year old retired teacher from New York's beautiful Long Island, who has relocated to Naples, Florida. I'm married with a grown, married son and two grown step-children, one of whom has two little children... so I'm a granny.

After a lifetime of feeling guilty every time I ate anything and battling pounds daily, I had the lap band surgery last week because the co-morbities were beginning to emerge: Gradually higher blood pressure, sleep apnea, and finally a bad left knee. My mother was morbidly obese and died at age 62 of kidney failure from diabetes. So I had the lap band installed on November 19, just 10 days ago. I feel wonderful and have my first fill scheduled for Decmeber 21.

Everyone has been most supportive, while a bit worried. I'm thrilled at my success thus far, and I'm committed to make this work. I have a friend who had the surgery at 72! She is 75 now and looks and feels fabulous-- has lost 100 pounds and maintained it for over a year. So for all the "oldies" out there, it's never to late!

Flora

Hi Everyone! Awesome thread idea! My name is Lee Ann, I am 27, have three kids age 6, 4, and 3 and work in the Marketing field. I live in Pennsylvania, love animals (have horses, dogs, a cat) and have been overweight since birth. I am married but my husband isn't very supportive hence some marriage problems, especially lately. I have a few very awesome friends, including one person I actually met online here that helps get me through each and every day with my band. I love the band and though I am still learning the quirks, I wouldn't change my mind now that I have it! I look forward to getting to know all of you!

I am 25 years old, from the California central coast and am SO excited about getting my Lap-Band! I show horses and love to compete......

Hi everyone! My name is Trish and I am 29 years old. I live on Long Island in NY with my incredible husband of 4 years, Kevin. We have no human babies...just two friggin' great cats, Guinness and Harp.

My original surgery date was for the 26th of November, but unfortunately it had to be canceled. So I find myself in a bit of a conundrum as a transplant; I'm so happy to be joining the "Merry Losers" (GREAT NAME!), but I'm sad to leave the "November Nymphs" behind. I think the happy medium for me would to be a "Merry Nymph!" I'm really looking forward to getting to know all of you and to building a strong support system!

Well welcome! Lol - Merry Nymph. When is your surgery set for in December? Mine is set for the 13th of Dec. I am so excited!

How silly of me! I forgot to add the new date to my previous post! I'm getting my band December 17th (WOOHOO!). Thanks for the warm welcome!

Hi Everyone! Awesome thread idea! My name is Lee Ann, I am 27, have three kids age 6, 4, and 3 and work in the Marketing field. I live in Pennsylvania, love animals (have horses, dogs, a cat) and have been overweight since birth. I am married but my husband isn't very supportive hence some marriage problems, especially lately. I have a few very awesome friends, including one person I actually met online here that helps get me through each and every day with my band. I love the band and though I am still learning the quirks, I wouldn't change my mind now that I have it! I look forward to getting to know all of you!

Badonkadonbutt,

When was your surgery? Glad to hear you'd do it again.

Merry Losers, how do you get the tag at the bottom of your posts? I've tried and tried and no luck (technology challenged I guess!)

I'm Meghan,

I'm 24, and a full time child and youth counsellor. I've been overweight for as long as I can remember and have tried every diet under the sun, starting at about age 8 lol. I have to say I have my fears and apprehensions of failing at this too, but I can't think about that, I just have to put my heart and soul into it...again... which gets harder and harder after non-successful attempts. To be honest, long term health is a bonus for me with this surgery. What i'm really excited about is shopping in regular clothing stores, being able to feel comfortable exercising (cuz I really do want to be active, I just don't feel comfortable at my size with all the little people lol). I really want to ride horses again (I noticed that's a goal for other people too ). I've rode horses since I was about 6, and haven't been on a horse in ages due to my weight.

That's me in a nutshell, let's get on with this journey!

Meghan

WELCOME Megahn... I have shown/riden horses since I was 5! I am sure we have a ton in common! Where are you from? I work as a Sales and Marketing Manager for a commercial fueling company called 'Pacific Pride'.... I would love for us to become lap band friends!!!!

Missy!

I'm from Ontario, Canada. I would love to be lapband friends! When is your surgery?

It is on December 14th at 9:00 am ... when is yours?

hey all, :whoo:

I am 27 years old and have been married to a great man for 2yrs. I have a soon to be 7 year old step son that keeps us very busy. We live in Middle Tn, not too far from Nashville. I am a Paramedic and work on the ambulances and in the ER so i want to get healthy for me and to make life easier at work so i can help others better also. My Parents and Grandparents and actually whole maternal side of the family along with my husband are a great support. I come a family of decent sized people. I am the largest and hopefully soon will not be. I started my Journey at 355# and now just 6 days before surgery am down to 320#. I am excited to have my surgery on Dec 5th and am ready to go today. The insurance acceptance road was long, but did get approved only after a week and a half.

I look forward to getting to know all of you and in getting the continued support that helps quite a bit.

Brooke:clap2:

Hello Everyone,

I am 43, soon to be 44 on Dec. 13th. I am married with two boys ages 20 and 15. I am a supervisor at Mohawk Industries in Dahlonega, GA. I am also a part-time college student. I am working on the LAST quarter I have to take to get my associates degree in supervisory management.

I raise shihtzu's as a hobby and have 5 of these sweet little babies! We also have a pitbull (who is the biggest baby you would ever meet) and 1 cat.

My surgery date is Tuesday, December 4th. I'll be banded by Dr. Richard at the Lanier Park campus of Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville, GA.

Good luck to everyone!!

Hi everyone

I am 45 years old and have been single now for 14 years. I have a 26 year old married daughter (pride of my life) and 2 beautiful grandchildren (both girls, ages 5 and 2). I live in Perth, Western Australia but work at a mine site 3000km away, in the far north of the country. I work 8 days on, 6 days off on Fly In/Fly Out.

I wasn't always a fat person - I started gaining weight about 15 years ago (anyone make the time connection with "being single"? LOL) and have gradually ballooned up to my current morbid obesity I am really looking forward to finding the old me underneath this fat suit I've been wearing. My surgery date is set for 12th December.

I'm a 43-y.o. stay-at-home mom to two homeschooled children, ages 5 (girl) and 8 (boy). My husband and I are building a home - well, his salary is paying for it, I'm managing it, and our contractors are building it, lol. I used to be a research scientist.

I started my weight gain/loss journey at age 9 when dad pointed out I was getting chubby and didn't I think I should stop drinking shakes and put me in a (boys!) soccer team for exercise. I was particularly clumsy at soccer and it did nothing for my self esteem... I wish they'd taken some effort to get me on a swim team instead - I'm actually a very good swimmer.

Anyway, I followed a typical "lose 10, gain 15" pattern - the last round I lost 70 lb and gained 100... I'm starting my 2 week pre-op Medifast diet on Monday at just under 350 lb.

My last straw was when my parents went to Hawaii last month - my son remarked that he wanted to go back, which reminded me that two years (and 50 lb lighter) ago I was jumping in the surf with my 6-y.o., and right now I don't even know if I could comfortably walk on a sand beach because of the arthritis in my knees and hips :-(

My knees have been bad since I was a teen, so it was particularly stupid for me to have gained so much weight. I've been told that I can't have knee replacements until I've lost 125+ lb. I want to keep up with my young kids (hence the knee replacements) and I also want to live long enough to see my grandchildren. Consequently, I'm very highly motivated to succeed with my lapband.

Looking forward to sharing progress stories with you all -

Alyson