Hello Friends,

My Name is Rida. I waited a whole year to get banded. Wasn't sure if I wanted to do it. On my 31st bday I weighed 287 lbs @ 5'7" and was extremely tired of the weight. So my journey begins. I got banded on October 22, 2008. I am on week 4 post-op. I hope to follow fellow banders with the same surgery date. I am also a fillmmaker, writer and screenwriter. I hope to post more here and share my own experiences.

I am afraid to weigh myself. I have anxiety with that kind of stuff. Always have. I know my clothes are looser and my family keeps on telling my face is getting skinnier. I will weight a whole month to weigh myself.

I am really happy for everyone who has started this journey. I really hated it when my skinny friends told me I was pretty, and I didn't need this. My reply, "Why don't you add an extra 100 pounds to your body and see how it is."

It's not vanity. I have never been thin. I have this sincere desire to hike, ride bikes, surf, and be more ready to participate and not have my weight be an excuse anymore. We all deserve to be the best and healthiest versions of ourselves.

So here's to positive updates, encouragement, and a blessed journey to our best selves.

With love,

Rida

Hi Rida,

I had surgery 10-30. I must confess I'm not sticking to post-op so well...eating most things pretty well. I've been weighing myself daily unfortunately...but have lost 9 lbs so far. I'm in the Dallas area also. Congratulations on your surgery. Best of luck!

Shari

Thanks for the reply Shari! Best of Luck to you too! Hey, losing 9 lbs is better than gaining 9 lbs. Right?

I am little apprehensive about my first fill. I have now just started to feel a little hungrier. The mushy food phase ends this week.

I also gave up smoking before surgery. And 3 weeks later, I am starting to feel the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

But, nothing is ever easy. Somethings are worth the effort