I filled out my packet this afternoon and will drop it in the mail tomorrow. I spent most of the day yesterday reading many of the posts here. I am hoping to be banded in early October. I purposely waited until after after the last of the summer festivals here...then I will have some time between surgery and the holidays to get through some of the worst hurdles.

I am a single mom with four daughters and a job I love. I don't walk with them at night anymore because I have such horrible pain in my feet. I can count the times I have taken them to the pool on one hand. And to hell with the things I can or can't do with them, I just want to live for them for a really long time.

I could be thinner for me 20th high school reunion. Which I probably wont even go to, ut it was a thought. Thinner -- I am not even sure what that means or what it will feel like.

And, I am scared. Like I said -- single mom - 4 kids, four different directions, plus work. I love my job, but it can be draining. I run a PTSD support group. In all the hustle, I often find it difficult to take care of the Mom -- that will be my single biggest challenge.

October is only like 6 weeks away and approaching fast. I can't decide between "eat-drink & be merry" and starting to cut back on some things now to hopefully make it less painful. The Diet Coke scares me the most. In the past, when I was restricting carbs (I am diabetic) I could at least indulge in a diet coke. When I need to spend hours glued to a chair writing stories, I could build a tower withthe empty cans.

I am really just rambling now. Perhaps it will be easier to come up with a plan after I have a surgery date and I am meeting with all the peeps.

Until then -- HELLO!!!! Nice to meet you all!

Viking girl-

Welcome! Good for you for doing this for you! However, it will be for your 4 kids too. My kids are grown now, but I wish I had been a healthier mom for them. I often wonder what we missed out on doing together because of my weight.

Keep us updated on how things go for you - October is just right around the corner!

Let us know if we can help you with anything. These boards are a wealth of information.

Best of luck!

Wow, I mailed my packet yesterday, got a phone call today from the surgical center today, and the doc will be reviewing my file this afternoon. If all goes well, I will probably have an Oct. 5 surgery date. I know there is a 14 ay low cal diet before... otherwise, I guess I have a few appointments to go to before I know anything else.

Welcome Viking-Girl,

I'm local - in Sandy. I've had my band for almost 3 years and it is one of the best things I've ever done. Congratulations on making the decision. I can't help you with your decision, but i can tell you I slowly weened myself off the Diet Coke and I'm so glad I did. When you're healing the last thing you need to worry about is the withdrawal from caffeine!

Let me know if you have any questions!

Loridee