Hi My name is Deborah Oden but you can call me Deb. I want to share some things about me. First, I'm extremely overweight carrying 454 pounds with an BMI of 71. Right now I'm in the process of getting the Lapband and what I need is new friends that can relate to what Im going through because it is lonely in this world of being fat. Yes I do have some very incourageing friends who are gunho about me doing something about my weight problem and they are ready to help me as much as they can , but I need the type of friends who understand and going through that process of losing weight with the Lapband. So this is just a little of what Im about and hope to hear from you who have took that step and to get advice and encouragement from you all. Until then take care.:biggrin:

Welcome Deb! You'll find a lot of encouragement and friendship here! I am not being banded - having the lapRNY instead but I love it here so much I just stayed :biggrin:

Hi Deb,

I'm Cheryl and have been going through the approval process since May. It shouldn't have taken that long, but I chickened out and stopped everything. When I decided to get back into it was about September. Had it not been for my lack of 5 yr medical history it would have moved faster. All of that history is to let you know that sometimes this process is slow, but if you stick to it you will achieve your goals. My surgery was finally approved and I am scheduled for New Year's Eve! I last year I weighed 406lbs. I tried everything and even subway like Jared--didn't work--lol..also was on a medically supervised diet and lost about 23lbs in about a month. I couldn't afford it after that so I just kept trying to monitor my portions and all in all I lost about 36lbs. So it took me a year to lose 36lbs. So I know something about struggling. So thats some of my background. If u have any questions or just want someone to talk to, I'm here.

cheryl