I was finally banded on June 18th, 2010. As you can see from my "join date" here on the website, it took me a while to get to my surgery date.

My cousin was banded 7 years ago and has been very successful - she lost approx. 160 lbs. I know it works, so I wanted to go for it too!

My insurance would not cover the procedure, so I had to get creative. I was able to use my 401k without taking a penalty because it was for a medical issue. The rest came from a loan from SurgeryLoans.com.

I will tell you that I had MAJOR anxiety and felt like cancelling the procedure before it was performed. I was terrified, because it is such a change in lifestyle. I also had A LOT of people tell me not to do it. Many people were pretty negative about the procedure and I guess, don't understand what it's like to pack around an extra 100 pounds every day!

On the morning of the 18th, I was still very nervous, but the surgery was a breeze...or so I'm told. I had my surgery at Puget Sound Surgical Center in Edmonds, WA.

The first couple of days, I was in pain, but pushed myself to get up and walk around to try to avoid the dreaded gas pains. I did very well those first couple of days. Then I went back to work. I did not take the recommended 1 week off of work and I should have. I was miserable!! If I could've taken my band out myself, I would have on about day 4. I guess I am one of the lucky ones (or unlucky ones) that has restriction immediately after surgery. I did the liquid diet, and am now on mushy foods.

It was the 4th of July though...and I saw everyone eating all the BBQ foods and I did something I shouldn't have....I ate some small bites of a few different foods and I am paying for it now. Just really uncomfortable, and gassy...

I have gotten food stuck twice since being on the mushy diet. I "forgot" I had the band one morning and ate a big bite of scrambled eggs. The other thing was a something similarly soft, but I just didn't chew. My cousin tells me that she can't really do eggs at all with her band, but I've been OK with them since. Just have to chew, chew, chew. :frown:

These past couple of weeks haven't been easy, but I am determined to lose weight. Tired of being unhappy with my weight...