Maddy O

All of you don't realize how truly helpful you are to those of us still struggling. I am literally at the start of this road, and am honestly scared to death about the commitment - Can I do it? Will I succeed? Will I have enough willpower? And so on. It TRULY helps to read how "I'll eat if I can get it down," and "oh this was sooo good and that was sooo good," and "I had feared that I was going to be in the same position as our thread starter. My relationship with food seemed so intense." This IS hard. Especially for those of us who love to eat...which I do. But, it can't be stressed enough that the Lap Band is NOT a cure, it's a tool...It's you guys and gals who ARE making it happen, who are helping the rest of us learn to accept and use this tool in the most effective way possible. No, it's not for everyone, and I'm so sorry for those who don't succeed with it. Partly because I'm worried I may end up one of them. But then one of you posts about your personal food addictions, and how you are dealing with them, and I go, "Oh! That sounds like me! If they can deal with it, then I can too!" I believe that if you don't want it bad enough to make it work, nothing will help. If you do want it bad enough, and have a good physician to help, then you WILL make it work. If not a Lap Band, then possibly a sleeve or GB... Thanks for sharing both sides of the story.

This is why I LOVE these forums! You're never alone with people here who have gone before you, and those who are going along with you... I started the process yesterday, and will start my 6 month monitored diet June 7...I won't have the Lap Band until December, probably January, because many of the doctors take the last 2 weeks off in December for the holidays... And I'm already feeling "break up" pangs for all the foods I love too much (my rear end also has fond affection for bread!). It's REALLY hard at the moment not to eat non-stop Pasta, rice, ice cream, bread machine bread, and who knows what all else...I feel like I need to eat it all now before I start the diet and before the Lap Band, because then I'll never be able to enjoy it ever again!!! I, too grew up with food as a solace, companion, friend, hobby, and comfort. Homemade noodles were my staple growing up... But then I realize that 1. It's because of bread and its snarky, starchy, friends that I currently feel like an overstuffed sausage with my skin feeling like a t-shirt that is 2 sizes too small; 2. Once I learn how to eat properly (meaning not until I'm so full I can't swallow another bite), I will occasionally be able to eat just about anything in MODERATION (even if it is only a bite or two); and 3. I'll miss bread and its minions MUCH less when I'm wearing clothes that actually have some styling to them (rather than the "giant Hefty trash bag" shape) and some actual shape to me (instead of the large "flesh dumpling" that I currently look like)... Yeah, I'm going through the panic and fear moments, too. It'll probably get worse before it gets better, but it WILL get better. It's just always scary when you make a serious commitment that you know you need to honor for the rest of your life. I was like this before I got married, too...And goodness knows, the Lap Band IS one of those 'til death do you part-type of commitments... So hang in there, Blonde. We're all with ya and behind ya!

I went to the seminar last night, and learned a LOT. I also got to meet the surgeon I want to perform the procedure. She is an Allergan Fellowship doctor, and has done a LOT of Lap Bands. I WANT THIS, but I am somewhat scared and hesitant now that I know more...I guess it's the cold reality that unlike dieting, which you can always quit doing (and we all know how THAT turns out...lol!), with the Lap Band, it's a commitment for LIFE...If I'm going to go through the expense and suffering to have the procedure done and lose the weight which I can no longer tolerate carrying around, I can't just get thin and go, "Okay! Now I can reward myself and eat like a pig 'just this once'..." This is a true Lifestyle change, and other than my husband, I'm fairly lousy at life-long commitments... But I WANT THIS. So, I'm pushing forward, arguing with myself all the way... The argument DOES get easier as I struggle to get in and out of the car, and find it hard to put my socks on, because my feet are swollen (again...) Thanks for the support. We'll do this together! It helps my resolve having other people reinforce that I AM doing the right thing... ~M

Good for you! Your attitude and behavior must be right if she wrote such a glowing recommendation! Congrats! ~M

Thank you! I went to the website with that link and had no problems. Today is my first "baby step" towards the Lap Band. I've spoken with a Bariatric Coordinator, I'm off to a seminar tonight, and see my doctor on Tuesday...6 months from now I take the plunge! ~M

Hi all! I'm Maddy Osborne, and today is the first day of a new me. I've made an appointment to start my 6 month mandatory diet and exercise program before I can have a Lap Band, and am starting all the reading and research that I will need to do before I have the surgery. I am SO hopeful about this. I've been in denial for too many years, yo-yo dieting, and have now reached the age and stage where I have to admit my weight is totally out of control, and is starting to affect my way of Life. It's a bit scary and overwhelming, but these forums are very encouraging and supportive, so I've joined to help shore up my resolve. I weigh 265 pounds today, and hope to eventually reach 140 or less by June of 2012. I realize that's a bit optimistic, but we will see... Nice to be a part of the group here! ~M