Hi everyone!! I'm Amy. I am scheduled for a lapband procedure on March 31st. .. I'm VERY excited and a little nervous. My Doctor has a support group for us patients but I'm a big fan of forums so I decided to come find a lap band forum to join!!! I've been lurking a bit and the success stories are inspiring!!! I'm looking forward to being a success story!!

My main goal is to get healthy. I'm going to be 30 this year, and I've been overweight since I was 9 or so. Runs in the family. I'm still healthy and pretty active but I want to be more active!! I have a 3 year old and don't play as much as I would like.

I also ride horses. I do trails now but in college I did endurance racing and barrel racing. (Endurance is long distances on horseback pretty fast). I'm in no where near good enough shape now to compete but by the time I'm 35 I want to be competing again. Would be fun to bring my old horse back too. (She just turned 21 this year. .. )

Other than that I'm a photographer and stay at home Mom. It's a great job combo!

Looking forward to getting to know you all!

Welcome to Lapbandtalk! I would suggest also going to the group your doctor offers. I started going at least 6 months before my surgery (had to do a 6 month diet for insurance, so I thought I would learn all I can about the band. I also came here, and subscribed to OH (obesityhelp.com' s magazine) and WLS Lifestyles (another magazine), bought a couple books and read them. I could almost do the surgery myself by the time I had it! (just kidding)

At the group initially I was quiet and listened to others. Now it is hard to shut me up. I remember fondly a post-op who told me I didn't look heavy enough to need surgery. At 252 in sizes 2X or women's 22-24, I beg to differ. I am 5'7" so it had a little farther to go, but when I came across a snapshot of me at a birthday party (before surgery) even I had to say "Oh, my God!" At the group you will hear people at all stages, like here, but people you might want to get to know. Frequently they will voice issues that may be similar to yours. I highly recommend going.

BTW, I am now a size 10-12 pant, small to medium tops, and in the scrubs I wear to work, size small pants and medium tops (heading toward small). My wow moment was when I bought some new tops and pants in medium and I had to return the pants for small ones. I can't remember the last time I wore ANYTHING small!

As for healthy, the same reason I did this as you are, I was on 2 BP meds, 2 cholesterol meds, a reflux med and CPAP for sleep apnea. I now only take one BP med and that was adjusted to a slightly lower dose. My cholesterol is normal, and at some point I will have a sleep study to see how that is. I wasn't good abut using the CPAP anyway, so there is no rush. If I have sleep apnea still (and I would think I don't) I probably still won't use that infernal machine.

Good luck on your journey. The few negatives (like getting food stuck and sliming) are far outweighed by the positives.

Welcome Amy Elizabeth! How exciting to be so close. I'm hoping to be banded in April or May. You've picked a great site to join. I've found so much good info here and the support has been wonderful. Whereabouts are you in Texas? I'm from Austin. My doctor is Dr. Fass at Southwest Bariatrics. Keep us posted on your journey and good luck!

Newbie from Tampa Bay! Got banded on the 19th almost

i week out! Yeah! The pain has subsided but in the evening

I feel like "whale poop" nauseated/dry heaves. Not eating enough? drinking? Any advice guys?:huh2:

welcome amy

your picture is beautifull!!!!!!!!!