Hello everyone! Greetings from Maryland…

It has taken me a while to post here though I have been lurking for some weeks. I work at a college and back-to-school time is insane. This is a really great site and it is so encouraging to see so many people receiving support and encouragement. I am also completely enchanted by this dancing banana! It has a hypnotic effect on me… :banana must look away… must look away! Hahaha!

Ok, on to more serious subjects… I am due to be banded Friday, September 12th. Yikes! I wasn’t really scared until today when I had my last visit with the surgeon prior to banding day. All the sudden, I was sitting on that bed/table thing that you lay down on (is it just me or are those things from Hades??!!) and I realized that it was only 10 days away. Whoa! I have never had any surgery before, so I am nervous. The doctor and his nurse were great though. I just have to keep taking deep breaths…

So I am 31 years old, 5’4, and weighed in today at 254. My goal is 150 lbs, which seems so far away it is almost laughable. I have been overweight since puberty and just like everyone else, I have been on a zillion diets, lost some weight with a few, but inevitably gained it back. The two major factors that really motivated me toward surgery are that I was recently diagnosed as diabetic, and I have never been able to get pregnant. The doctor says my screwed up insulin levels and fat keep my estrogen so high that my body never has its cycles. (sorry if this is more info that some can bear… especially the men) I want to have a baby or two, so I am desperately hoping that this surgery will make that possible! I feel the dreaded clock ticking…Uugh!

Thanks for listening to my drivel!

Ciao!

Sparkle

:banana

Hi Sparkle--welcome!

I'm glad you posted and good luck with your surgery! I don't blame you one bit for being nervous; it's not a walk in the park. But you are so lucky that the band is available to you and I'm sure you'll be able to use it to meet all your goals.

As for your clock ticking, don't even think about it. I was 36 when my first baby was born and 39 for the second. I just wish I'd have found the band ten years before that so I wouldn't have had to have them at 300+ lbs! But it all worked out well, thank heavens.

Anyway, welcome again and keep posting!

best of luck with your surgery Sparkle! Hope it all goes well - I guess nervousness is a big part of what you're feeling when your date is getting closer but I don't think you have anything to worry about - just reading about everyone else's experiences here will really put you at ease.

Wishing you lots of happy babys!

here's a banana for ya! :banana

Alexandra!!!! No way are you over 39! In your photo you look about 25! You'll look amazing when you reach your goal weight if this is how you look now! :knockedou

Hope this doesn't offend in any way??? so hard working with this medium sometimes!

Offended? Are you kidding?? You just made my day!! I'll be 42 in November and am taking my older daughter to kindergarten for her first day today. I don't know how I got so old, but I sure feel better now! :banana

Actually, one of the side effects of being so overweight is that I've always looked young. I'm afraid that when I start to lose significant weight I'll start to look my age or older. Time to invest in some Oil of Olay, I guess.

Okayyyy we have Bright, Sparkle and Sunni...LOL I need some shades!

Sparkle I enjoyed reading your story! Good Luck on your surgery and please keep us pre-banders posted on your recovery.

Sunni

Thanks everyone for the warm replies.

9 more days!

yeah maybe we could start up a girl band??!!! Or just market washing powder!!! I actually have an excuse - my real mysterious name is an unpronouncable irish name which means bright!!

Do I win???!!! :D