Well, here I am, reading everything I can on the successes and failures and complications of lap band surgery vs sleeve gastrectomy or bypass surgery. It is overwhelming. I want to lose ALL of my excess weight...and want to keep it off. I don't want scar tissue around my esophagus. I don't want a band eroding into my stomach. I want a band to do what it is supposed to do...help me feel satiated with less food...so that I will lose weight fast enough to see results which will keep me going. I want my energy back. I want my clothes to fit...the little ones hanging in my closets for more than 10 years now. I don't care if they are out of style! :-)

I am waiting for a call from an old friend who had the by pass surgery done at Brigham & Women's Hospital, perhaps 4 years ago. I have not see her since a few weeks post surgery. At that time she wasn't so sure she was glad she had done this...but looking at her fabulous photos one can see clearly that she is beautiful and happy with her surgical result. She and I have planned to meet for lunch today but in the meanwhile her e-mail said I should NOT do the band because no one she knew lost their weight with it and she advises the by pass surgery strongly. I will listen to everything she can tell me and ask questions and take it all to Lahey next week and discuss it with the surgeon.

Who knows...maybe it will be a choice only to have one surgery or nothing once my exams and family history and my age etc. are factored in.

Waiting is hard!