Okay,, so I know this has been talked about repeatedly but I need to share with people who truly know where I am coming from....

The past two weeks my 7 siblings have been visiting from elsewhere at my dads who lives next to me.. We haven't all been together since "02" and were long overdue. We had a great time going to the fair, doing some work on my dads house, visiting and eating. I went out of my way to make food that was health friendly because we have a variety of eating issues amongst us,, vegetarian, chrons, heart disease, morbid obesity you name it one of us has had it. I am the official cook and love it, but wish I was good at anything but after seeing the family photos that were taken. I was mortified and it really has been devastating to me. I wish I could crop me out of all of them... The worst thing is there ended up being an open discussion about my pending Lap Band Surgery. I have talked with everyone about it except one sister because she worries and I don't want her to until I have a date... Most of them have been supportive, but totally uneducated and have no idea what its all about. One SIL had gone to a seminar and just can't imagine only eating a cup or less of food per meal for the rest of her life. Shes in her late 60's and is comfortable with herself. I on the other hand have two young children and a lot of years to look forward to,, if I get healthy!! I am working at losing right now and am struggling daily to stay on track. The nutrionist would like me to eat 1500 cals a day until 2 weeks before surgery, and I am sticking pretty close to that but it isn't easy. I am currently having some back issues and excercise is out of the question for at least the next few days.

So,, after seeing these pictures with me looking soooo horrid I doubt anyone is going to question why I want to have lap band, and if they do I will email them to them. I don't even want to imagine what my husband is going to say, I hope he doesn't see them. With any luck I should have my surgery in November, hopefully before Thanksgiving so I don't have to cook,, we can do something else!! It seems the closer I get to surgery the more desperate I am to have it. I have certainly been in denial for a long time about myself and owning up is killing my spirit. I just keep telling myself that during this time of self realization I am gaining the strength and willpower I will need to succeed and lose all my weight.. I will not sit for another photo until the day before my surgery!!!

If your sister in law is not supportive, tell her about me. I am 63 and was banded 3/25/08. My starting weight was 252, BMI 38, with HBP, sleep apnea, reflux, high cholesterol, knee arthritis, wearing 2x work clothes (scrubs) and 22W. I now weigh 160, wear 12-14 Misses, am off cholesterol medicine (2 of them) for the first time in about 20 years, have been taken off one of my BP meds (may lose the other later), my knees feel pretty good, and I will have a sleep study soon to see if that has resolved. I take one BP med, and I have pain med for my knees as needed (maybe once a week if that). My total cholesterol is 142 (was always over 200 before), tricycerides 53 (always 300 or more before), LDL 66, and HDL 65 (this is the good cholesterol--was around 47 before--the higher it is the better--btw I work for cardiologists). Keep your eye on the prize, your overall health. With my loose skin I may not give the guys palpitations, but I'm not ruling out a tummy tuck or more when the time comes. Heck, I could be chasing men at 70! Why not?:sad_smile:

Hey I am 60 and got banded this August, it's never to late. And I applaud your going and doing this. The best of luck, it's a long strange journey but it's sure worth it. I feel so much better with just the small amount of weight I have lost. I can't wait till I am a nice normal weight and healthy. Hang it there it gets better.

Your both fabulous and thank you for the encouragement... When I had a hysterectomy at 36 I went through the same crap with everyones opinions, when it was about my health.. I do have vain reasons for wanting to be thin, but the surgeon doesn't care about those, he cares about my health and has made me care about it. All my doctors are all for it. I am taking Crestor and have gotten my cholesterol down to 110 from 329.. Thats great, but the side effects of the Crestor are still weighing in, one of them being bone issues. Mine is hereditary, but even if I could lower the dose it would still be a plus.

I am feeling really limited about my life right now, and have even started to be treated differently because of my weight. I hate the blank looks I get because old friends are embarrassed for me.. I would like to go to the PCP and not have to discuss my weight too, and maybey she would do something about these stupid skin tags lol....