I started my journey towards lapband on 6/24/08 at a start weight of 258. I work at a hospital as a CNA and unit clerk, and I'm on their insurance. We have a baractric center inside and I never paid much attention. Many times I passed the posters in the hall and looked at the huge wheelchair near the entrance, and I even work on the unit that takes care of people after their weight loss surgery but I never gave it much thought.

A nurse I work with told me the reason we take care of so many of our co-workers after surgery is because they are all getting banded because our insurance only charges $250. I couldn't believe my ears. I asked her for more details. She said how you only have to have a BMI of 40 or even less if you had co-morbidity's and I'd be shocked if I knew how many co-workers I worked with had it done. Everything clicked. It was like God was telling me what I needed to hear. I talked to another co-worker that night who I knew had the gastric bypass at my job and asked her if the info I got was true and she confirmed it and told me all I had to do was go to an info session and they were having another one in 2 days. I went.

I knew right that night of the info session I was doing this. I promised myself January 2007 that my goal was to finally loose the weight. But I say that every year. The last time I really lost weight was 2006 (hence the screen name) where I got down to 221 on Weight Watchers. I got so much praise from family and friends then. Of course I gained it all back.

It seemed like I sped right along thru the program. I did their 1 month of one night a week classes and weekly weigh in. Thats where you learn all the bandster rules and how to eat better, exercize, etc. I met the psych doctor twice, meet the dietitian twice, and had my surgical appointment, and gave up my 8 can a day diet coke obsession. I'm glad I did that early in the process. I did suffer from a few days of headaches.

I broke it to my family and everyone was sorta shocked. But no one gave me any real flack and my Mom who lost a lot of weight about 15 years ago from doing speed and crash dieting (and told me never to do it that way) and kept her weight off was super happy for me. She said this was going to completely change my life.

The two week liquid only diet was hell. Towards the end anyway. I had to take the night before surgery off at my job because I knew I wouldn't be able to do the work. I was that worn down. Before I took my leave at work I did tell a few co-workers I was having the surgery done. I even bought a really great pedometer that syncs to your home computer and decided for now that was the exercise for me. Now 2 weeks post opt my goal is 12,000 steps a day.

I'm just a little over 2 weeks post opt. I'm taking a month off of work because I do lift heavy patients at my job and don't want to take any risks. I have to say I've learned a lot about myself these past few weeks. I needed this last month of summer off to do this for myself. With out this I wouldn't have lost any weight this year. In a way I wish I didn't tell as many co-workers I was having the surgery done because I'm afraid when I go back to work they won't notice a big difference because right now I'm only 23 pounds down and they might think I'm some sort of failure. I secretly feel pressure inside because I told to many people.

Now I'm getting to the point I know I'm going back to my job in 2 weeks (which was a lot of physical labor taking care of patients for 8 solid hours walking and lifting all night) and have no clue how I did the job being that huge. Looking back now I realize it was complete hell doing that job that heavy.

I'm also taking 2 fall classes at the community college starting in 2 weeks. After I finish those classes I will be able to start my Respiratory Therapy clinicals. My whole life is about to change. I'm finally making strides to getting away from a job I'm completely unsatisfied with and finishing college.

I've been working part time to also chug along slowly in school, and driving my paid off 99 Chevy Cavalier with a dent in the back side because its what I can afford on this pay. And working only part time because I really don't like my job, but I'm stuck at it which is an hour drive each way from my home to the good pay and good benefits, and free school.

I live with my boyfriend who is handicap and in a wheelchair, and his mom. They each own half of the house we live in. I've been here 4 years now and have made no real great progress in my life the last 4 years. But I'm finally getting to see a light at the end of the tunnel. I can't wait to be in ONEDERLAND (199 or less) by christmas. Can't wait to buy a new winter coat for the first time in years. :redface: