Well, this is my first blog and I’m not good at this…so here it goes….

Like most of us, my weight had gotten out of control. I was 320 pounds… I squeezed into a size 26/28 and my scrubs were size 5x. I was miserable. I was so embarrassed of myself, and so physically exhausted from hauling all that weight around. I was 31 years old and felt about 90 years old. I physically could not do anything fun with my friends and i no longer could fit in the seats at the movies. I had given up so many things that i used to love doing because i didn't want anyone staring at me with disgust anymore...( i think everyone here knows what i am talking about).. I pretty much became a hermit except for going to work.. I had depression, I had trouble breathing, joint pain, back pain, high blood pressure, and had just been diagnosed with diabetes type II. :frown:

I knew I needed to do something.

I had been off and on diets since I was about 10 years old. I remember being made fun of for the first time at 6 years old. I had things under control for a few years as an adult (so I thought), then after a divorce, things got out of control. The next thing I knew, I was over 100 pounds overweight. I did a lot of yo yo dieting, and then finally lost 110 pounds between 2001-2002. By 2003, the weight began creeping back. I got married, went through nursing school, and began working night shift …By 2006, things were out of control again. I began researching the band and the bypass options.

In 2007, myself and a co-worker went to a seminar given by Dr. Ravindra Mailapur. I knew at this point, surgery was what I needed to do. I never had peace about gastric bypass and felt the band was right for me.

May 2007, my process started. After many hurdles (this will be a whole other blog) to get through (taking over one year), May 1, 2008, I was finally given a surgery date!!!!

I lost 15 pounds on my 2 week pre-op diet.

June 2, 2008 was the first day of the rest of my life!!!

I got my band!!!!! YAY This was by far the best thing that I have ever done and I really feel that now i have a tool to help me get the weight off and KEEP it off!! I only wish i had done it years ago...But, it's all in God's timing...

Surgery went perfect and I went home the same day. I had a lot of trapped gas pain, as most banders experience post op, but no big deal. I returned to work as a nurse in 10 days.

I am a little over 2 months out and I feel great! I have lost 50 pounds (including my preop weight loss). I’m breathing better, my knees feel better and I no longer have to take my medication for high blood pressure or diabetes!

I would do it all over again in a heartbeat!!

I’m seeing a nutritionist and learning how to eat healthy.

I do miss food, and still have the blah’s from time to time, but I know this will get better in the future.

I will get my first fill on August 19, 2008. I’m excited because I know this is going to help my hungry tummy. My surgeon doesn’t fill anyone until 12 weeks out..not sure why…but I trust his decisions..

I have a long way to go, but I’m on my way….

I want to get healthy and to be able to have children!!

I’m excited about this journey and so glad that I have beautiful people to share it and experience it with and so thankful that there is so much support and advice here!! :ohmy:

Juliana....keep up the great work. I just received my approval yesterday from the insurance. Our life stories are so similar. I am glad to say that I will be a September SuperStar and I will be banded on 9/18/08. I can't wait!!! Our lives will NEVER EVER be about being fat AGAIN!!!

You are so right missinkkie!!!! One day, it's going to be about ourselves!!! and not about food and not about being fat!!!! I can't wait :frown:

Good luck girl!!! Keep me updated after your surgery, and if you need anything, let me know!!