Just wanted to let everyone know that I'm new here. I am waiting for approval for surgery through insurance and believe surgery will be later june first of july. I live in Tn and I love to hunt and fish, and love being outdoors with my family. I weigh 350lbs and I am going to change some habits. I deal with HBP, sleep apnea and anxiety. Has anyone dealt with anxiety? I dont know if its caused by being overweight or what. Alot of times I feel like have to catch my breath throuhgout the day its been going on for about a year. Some days are better than others. I also enjoy dipping snuff but am having a hard time quitting. The Doc wants me to be nicotine free by surgery date. The doctors and psch evals all approved of this surgery, just hope that this is what it takes. I also have acid reflux that bothers me, probably due to tobacco and poor eating habits. Just want to see if anyone is in the same boat. Hope to hear soon, COONDAWG

thanks jack for replying. This surgery will help me along with many people on this site that has been there.

Coondawg, you're going to be fine! The band is the best possible thing you could do for yourself. There may be a bump or two in the road to getting in shape, but you'll definitely get there if that's what you want.

As far as anxiety attacks, lots of people have them. The nicotine probably doesn't help, but there's a good chance that even without the snuff, you'd still be having the attacks. If you haven't mentioned them to your private doctor, you should - he can give you some anti-anxiety medicine to take when you start to get panicky.

As Jack says, many of the things you have problems with will be helped by the weight loss that comes with a band. And it sounds like you're on your way!

Good luck on your journey, and hang around here and tell us how you're doing.

Also, if you're curious about what the experience will be like, up to and for the first few days after my band, I posted a lot - and pretty specifically - about what was going on in the Master Thread in the March 2008 monthly support group. A lot of people chimed in as they went through it, so there's plenty of really good advice there.

You're among friends here, so relax, and enjoy the ride...

hey fenton, thanks for the encouragement. It looks like your doing really well. good luck!