After turning about 32, I started gaining weight and of course, trying to lose weight. The more I tried to lose and was successful, the more I'd end up gaining back every single time, and failing. It seems like a lifetime ago that I was actually at a reasonable weight or size. Back "then" I was very active, full of energy and felt full of life. I really want that back. It really, really burns me when friends say "well, maybe you just have to accept the way you are and live with it". Sure, all of those people haven't been down this road so it's easy for them to say that and I know they're just trying to be good friends. The trouble with that is, I'M NOT REALLY LIVING, PERIOD!!! There are so many things I just accept that I can't do while carrying around an extra hundred pounds. Even mopping the floor or vacuuming causes my back to be in pain to the point that I take preventative medicine before starting a task and sit down with ice on my back afterward so that in the morning after I can get out of the bed again. How is that living?

But here I am...and this is going to be a new chapter and I'm going to write it different...better... and I know that with this new tool, I can be successful. Maybe not overnight, but what's two or three years when 18 have gone by in a blink and through that 18 years all I did was gain after every attempt and end up here? This time will be different. A year from now I'll read this, I know, and think "who was that depressed person??" So here I go!!! And I can't wait!!

Hello!! You will be so happy in this process!! Life with the band will be the blessing you are looking for. Make sure you get your fills on time please don't delay its a much faster loss. Its time to enjoy LIFE!!!!!!!

Thanks for the encouragement! I'm in the process of pushing the train up hill to get everything to work out for this. Still have to get my insurance approval. My doc got my sleep study today but I don't know yet what the result is. If it comes out "right" then I think I should sail through as long as the rest of the team is on the ball. I'm trying not to get too excited before getting my consult and insurance approval. But I'm sure everyone knows the feeling....excitement is building!! I've been researching this for months, went and had a physical, talked to my doctor and got a referral, info sessions (2 different surgeons) more research, sleep study, bloodwork, phone calls, made consult appt, and now it's a waiting game. But I know this part of the process is probably going to be the easy part! But I can't wait to just get on with it already!!!