My name is Linda and im going to start my story here. I am 37 years old and i have been overweight my entire life except a few short teenage years. I am the mother of two terrific kids and the wife of a wonderful man for 19 years now.

18 years ago my son was born and with him came an additional 90 pounds..i struggled for years to lose the weight and then when i was 29 years old i quit smoking and there came another 30 pounds.

Just recently i was reflecting on my son's 18th birthday when i came to realize that i have been dieting and trying to lose this extra 120 pounds for EIGHTEEN years now......and so that is what brought me here.

In the past i have tried Weight Watchers, Atkins, low fat, low calorie, diet pills, you name it i've tried it and now i know that i can't do this alone.

I have made a dr.'s appointment for this thursday Dec. 13th 2007 to discuss the possibility of a lap band.

I have to admit the ideal of this both excites me and scares me to death at the same time...but without it i don't think i will live a very happy and healthy life. I want to be thin and have my health back, i want to be around for my husband ,children, and future grandchildren....my whole life i feel i have been taking care of others and now its time to take care of me.....and so my journey begins.

<p><p>I fought my weight all my life. I don't ever remember NOT being on a diet, even as a small child, and I was always at the "fat table" at camp where they monitored your food intake (how mortifying). I got my band in May of this year and I can honestly say it was the best decision I ever made. I thought it was going to mean the "end" of life as I had known it and really mourned that to some extent, but I was surprised at how easy it was (for me) to modify my lifestyle without feeling like I had been "cut off" from anything.For the most part, you can eat anything you could eat before, within reason. I stear clear of sandwiches now, or pick them apart. I could probably get one down, but it would just "take a while" and frankly much of the time I haven't got the patience. Really the only thing I haven't had since surgery is a hamburger. Sounds great, but logistically it could be kindof a pain in the ass. You do find that you avoid some foods because they are just kindof a bother. But actually life on the other side of the band is very similar to your "former life"....minus the binge eating. Welcome!</p></p>

Hi and welcome to LBT! I think it is great that you have decided to take care of you. The lapband is a great weight loss tool. Please let us know if you have any questions and keep us updated on your progress.

Linda:

Congratulations. Sounds like you've made the right decision. I hope all goes well with your appointments.

I am glad every day that I got banded. I still have a long way to go.

Keep looking at the before & after pictures on this website. They can inspire you through the rough band days.

Best wishes.

Sue

Thanks everyone for the great advice and the welcome too.....i have been learning alot from reading all your posts...this is a great place for anyone considering the band and will be extremely helpful after the band (if i'm lucky enough to get it). Thanks again.... Linda