Sitting here on a beautiful autumn Sunday morning, and just got off the phone with a well-intentioned friend, and I just had to put something into words.

My friend asked why I would have surgery so close to Halloween? CLOSE TO HALLOWEEN??? OMG - well, lets take a look at the calendar---

Yes, Halloween is 10/31

then Thanksgiving

and then Christmas

quickly followed by the New Year

and then my birthday

and then it's Valentines Day

and then St Patricks Day

and then Easter

and Mothers Day

and Memorial Day

and Fathers Day

and Fourth of July

and then Labor Day

and here we are - right back at Halloween!

Why is my friend so hung up on why I did this so close to Halloween? I guess she is more worried about missing out on candy than I am!

There is always going to be something right around the corner that could impact when surgery is right for any of us. HOWEVER, I know that I can celebrate Thanksgiving ANY DAY because it's really not the food that the celebration should be about - it's about the people you celebrate with.

I cannot become hung up on the things that I will miss for a short time - I have to focus on the long term results.

I have not been happy in my own body for so long. This is my chance to finally be ME - the me that I know has been hiding inside my fatsuit - my safety net - just waiting for the opportunity to come out and shine.

There will always be an excuse if someone looks for it - OR - there will be opportunity.

I congratulate every single person who took the opportunity to make their life better. This is not taking the easy way out - This is taking control and making a committment to change- for the better!

I agree 100%!!!!!!! We have made the change of a lifetime for ourselves!!!! Go us!!!!!!!!

gOOD FOR YOU!! I HAVE FFRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT HAVE ALSO MADE STUPID INSENSITIVE COMMENTS. I AM 3 WEEKS POST OP AND I AM WELL AWARE THAT THE HOLIDAYS ARE COMING. I WILL MISS OUT ON THE FOOD BUT THAT IS NOT IMPORTANT.. I WANT TO FEEL GOOD ABOUT MYSELF AND I WILL NOT LET ANYONE BRING ME DOWN.

GOOD LUCK AND KEEP YOUR CHIN UP!!

That is exactly how I feel. I am less than 48 hours away from being banded and agree 100% with your comments about there always being some celebration or event that is focused on food. Even though I am doing this close to the holidays I consider it a good thing, because I will be forced to focus on friends and family rather than how much food I can eat. I am so looking forward to having more energy and getting control over my life. Thanks for the inspiring words.

Well said ladies!!!!