Hi, I am here b/c I am hoping to find out how I can support my sister who is getting ready to go through Lap-Band Surgery this Wednesday. We do not live in the same state so I can't be there with her when she has her procedure but want to support her as she begins her "journey" to the new her!

My sister has always been a bit "overweight" but over the pas 16 years (though the birth of 4 children), her weight has gotten to the point that dieting and exercise does NOTHING for her. We come from a family where "weight issues" are very apparent and it is something that I too have dealt with, just not on the maganatude that she has.

I am so excited and scared for her at the same time. Please help me in how I can support her without being tooo "pesky" or nosy about what she's going through.

THanks in advance for your help!

Supportingmysis

St. Louis, MO

Hi, I am here b/c I am hoping to find out how I can support my sister who is getting ready to go through Lap-Band Surgery this Wednesday. We do not live in the same state so I can't be there with her when she has her procedure but want to support her as she begins her "journey" to the new her!

My sister has always been a bit "overweight" but over the pas 16 years (though the birth of 4 children), her weight has gotten to the point that dieting and exercise does NOTHING for her. We come from a family where "weight issues" are very apparent and it is something that I too have dealt with, just not on the maganatude that she has.

I am so excited and scared for her at the same time. Please help me in how I can support her without being tooo "pesky" or nosy about what she's going through.

THanks in advance for your help!

Supportingmysis

St. Louis, MO

You sound like a loving caring sister. Just call her and reasure her that she cared for, and you are there for her if she need the comfort of conversation. She will let you know what she needs. I wish her well.

You are so sweet to support your sister. She'll probably appreciate you calling and checking in on her for the first few days.

One thing to do is focus on how she's feeling as opposed to how much weight she has lost unless she brings up her weight lost. To have someone ask once in awhile is fine, but someone asking all the time feels like being policed -- and weight loss is not necessarily super-fast with the band, so progress can feel slow even as the pounds add up.

Someone else can feel free to contradict me if you disagree... :wink2:

You can also offer to be an accountability partner if she ever wants one, and then leave the ball in her court. It's very normal to have times of struggle even after banding, and good to have someone to talk to.

Wow, you are an AMAZING sister. Just tell her how much you love her! Saying you're scared and excited for her describes it all I think! :wink2: Just be always willing to talk about it and let her know that she can always turn to you.

I don't know anyone in person who has had the lapband, but my sister told me I can always talk to her. It's nice knowing that even though she may not experience the same phsyical thing I did, that she's willing to listen to me rant and rave or get really excited over every pound.

Oh, it always helps me too, when my sisters tell me they're proud of me. It's a HUGE step to make, and having someone recognize that is very validating.