This is the journey of a lifetime. Learning to loose weight with all the temptations around you. I was banded on June 15 2007. I thought about doing this for over a year. I tried everything with some sucess but always gained back the lbs and guess what they brought several friends with them. So much so that after my second child was two I was an awfull 349lbs. The doctor told me the type 2 was back and we had to do something to change my life or I would become incellin dependent. I am only 36 and now with fighting off fatiuge ,diabeties and aches and pains. I had a choice either stop living for myself or stop living for everyone else. If I wanted to live then it was a time for a huge change. I had to do this for myself and no one else. I wanted my life back. I had huge scary doubts even up to the minute of the surgery. I was a food addict. How will I survive without earing everthing I wanted when I wanted???? I almost didnt do the surgery. Then something said to me I have to do this or not live at all. When you are on the pre-diet and everyone around you is eating it is the hardest time of your life. Then they weigh you and you have only lost 13 lbs. it hits you in the face this isnt going to be easy. I just wanted to cry and almost did. I had my surgery. and started loosing the weight. Then people started noticing it I couldnt see it yet and the scales said I had, I just couldnt see it. My first goal was to get to 300lbs. I have reached my first goal and I am now working on my second goal of 275. I am well on my way. I am now 295lbs and my clothes are starting to fall off of me. I was able to put on my wedding rings for the first time in over two years. I can walk 2 miles and not loose my breath. My sugar has leveled out. The biggest thing so far was my 7 year old told me Mom you are looking good. If I had to do this all over again and had the doubts wispering in my head I would still do the surgery. I did this for me!!:car: So anyone who has doubts and reads this just think it will be worth it for yourself not anyone else.