I've been encouraged and inspired for three months at this site and I finally decided to post my first blog. I've been banded for 8 weeks now and am so excited to be down 35 lbs. so far! I was in the 4th grade when I took my first "before" picture and began the dieting/gaining cycle that has over-shadowed my life ever since. I regret that I've spent so much of my life living on the sidelines . . . "I'll wait to go to the reunion until I've lost some weight" or "I'll take a dance class after I'm thinner" or "I'll join that group when I'm not embarrassed about the way I look". I've wasted so many opportunities that would have enriched my life! The dream of living life as a thin person has seemed like an illusive dream since childhood but the good news is that it has ALL changed now. I am more than hopeful since my LAP-BAND®® surgery, I actually believe I will get to my goal weight! It's a pain-staking process of eating right, exercising consistently, following the guidelines every day but now it's no longer a matter of "IF I could lose the weight", it's a matter of "WHEN I lose the weight". Thanks to those of you who have shared your experiences and your successes here . . . it's been very helpful to me. Stay tuned, another success story is in the making.