Hi everyone - My name is Ginny and I am scheduled for surgery on March 20th - of course I am excited but very nervous as well. I have been over weight my whole life - the last 10 years it has become out of control - I am 371 pounds - I am looking to loose about 200 - 225 pounds. I know I have a very long journey and I am ready for what has to be done but when I speak to people or hear people say that this surgery did not work for them it scares me - I come on this site to hear sucess stories because especially at this stage i need to surrond my self with only positive people and positive comments - Don't get me wrong I understand there is only siccess with this or success with anything if you put the time and effort into it and i am soooo ready for that.... I hope to be updating all of you with my sucess:tt2:

Hi Ginny. Congratulations on getting your banding date. Don't be discouraged by the fact that some bandsters haven't been successful (and I am one of them). The successful bandsters far outnumber them. Remember to follow the "bandster rules", keep properly filled and take care of your "head hunger".

This is a brand new exciting beginning for you. Good luck with it all!

Thanks so much for replying - May I ask you why it is not being successful for you - Is it because of your "head hunger"?? because that is exactly what I am afraid of. I do see that the success stories outway the non sucessful stories - I truly hope I am a sucess story - i am ready to give it 100%

Hi Ginny,

If you are ready to do the work that this should work for you. You're right, there are both extremes here, those that have done very well, and those that have not, but there is also ALOT of middle ground! I must admit I was so skeptical about whether or not I would really feel full, but I SO did (and still do, but I am waiting for my 1st fill which is in a few more weeks so the restriction has lessended a bit).

You know in your heart if you are ready to do this and if you are, you will be successful. That's not to mean that you won't hit a plateau or that at some points the weight loss may be slow, but stick with it and you will get there!

The head hunger is a real issue and you need to be ready to face it. One thing that has helped me SO much is to do lots of crafts and read lots of books! That keeps me distracted and if I find I am thinking about eating when I am really not hungry I just grab my crochet or a book or a beading project and that does it because I'm really not hungry.

Anyway, this is a long post to say that you know if it's right and you know you can do this, it will be a life-changing event, but I believe it is worth the work in the end. I am at the beginning of this journey, but I am pleased so far and seeing that scale click over to under 300 is TOTALLY AWESOME!! I know it's just a half pound, but I have been over 300 for so long!

Hang in there, you are on the right track!

Hi Alisa - First of all - Congratulations on going under 300 - that is big! I am very happy for you - I too have not been under 300 in a very long time - I agree with everything you said in your email...I know this is going to work for me because I am soooooo ready for this!!! I am getting banded in March and I would love to keep in touch - I will need positive people and people who could give me some good advice.....

Ginny

Ginny- Just saw we're coming up on your banding date and I wanted to say Good Luck! I started this at 380 and was banded 2/11. I'm so happy so far... It's not just falling off of me, but it's a tool where I've finally realized I CAN DO IT! Getting on the scale and actually seeing the results has motivated me to keep going!

Definately read the board. After surgery when I was in pain or wanting to eat or whatever the issue, I came to the board and found many people had gone through the same thing. Whether it be head hunger or, dare I say, gaseaousness... :mad2: There were people to help.

Good luck!

Thanks so much! I am very excited. I feel the same way as you .. I need this to be a tool in my journey of loosing all this weight.... I will definitely go on the boards after surgery - Thanks...

You're going to do amazingly well, your attitude shows that you are ready for the challenges ahead. I'm pullin for ya!

Congrats tomorrow is your day wtg I had mine done Mar 5th I lost all total 34 pounds so far. You will do great. we are all rooting for you I feel great and you will too hugs Bobie

wow 34 pounds already that is awesome! I am really excited about tomorrow... Thanks so much for your well wishes - i will kepp everyone posted....

We're thinkin about you Ginny!!! :thumbup:

Hi Ginny congrats your in my prayers today I wish you the best . I had mine done the 5th and I am doing great down 15 lbs last week. It's going to be a whole new healthier Life for you enjoy it. I sure am Hus Bobie