GreenEyedFireCracker

[font=georgia, serif]Hi there! My name is Elizabeth. I'm a 36 year old, soon to be engaged, mother of a precious boy (age 9). I have been overweight in some varying degree since I was 8 years old. I can pinpoint the moment I began to put the weight on...and why. Other than the genetic factor, my parents divorced when I was 8... and it devastated me. So I used food to comfort me. I actually have an early memory of asking my aunt if I could have a ho-ho...you know the ones in the foil wrappers? And when she said "no," I took it anyway, ate it in the bathroom, and hid the wrapper in the bathroom trash. Later, it was discovered by an adult, who "turned me in." I would repeat that pattern for years and years to come. What I didn't know that what I was doing to comfort myself, was adding a heaping amount of guilt and shame. Which added on the pounds. Which made me want to comfort eat even more. It is a viscous and killer cycle. [/font]

[font=georgia, serif]These patterns would also manifest themselves in other ways of comforting myself, when food wasn't enough. I've also battled drug and alcohol addiction. I have over 2 1/2 years clean and sober! (Sobriety date 12/27/2010) I am an active member of a 12 step group, attend meetings and participate in service work regularly. I have worked hard to clean up the wreckage of my past and stay on a spiritual path of enlightenment with the help of my higher power. The reason I bring all of this up, is that I have worked on me...from the inside out. And I am so glad I finally have the opportunity to have this surgery, and to use it as a tool on my journey to transform my outsides as well![/font]

[font=georgia, serif]P.s. I work for the company that sells the lap-band and chose the sleeve based on a lot of what you all have written and a lot of other personal stories. I am so excited! More to the story as it unfolds....[/font]

[font=georgia, serif]Much Love![/font]