.Maria.

Welcome... My name is Maria and I'm at about the same place in my process (Only took me about 2 months) and I should be getting banded right around the same time!!!! :laugh: I cant wait!!! The surgery doesn't scare me... its the idea of going under the anesthesia that scares the crap out of me!!! Im afraid of not waking up :thumbup: But I'm not gonna let that stop me! Im sure everything will be just fine :biggrin:

Mom= Puerto Rican Dad= Mexican Me= AmeriMexiRican? LOL... :biggrin:

Welcome!!! I'm Maria and I'm also from Chicago :confused: Where are you getting banded?

I was told no alcohol & no carbonated or caffeinated beverages. Acceptable clear liquids are: decaffeinated tea and coffee, sugar free kool aid, sugar free jello, sugar free/clear popsicles, clear broth and bouillon, crystal light, minute maid light, diet snapple and sugar free/ low sugar protein supplements. Hope this helps

I think the idea of a support group is great :thumbup: Although I'm not banded yet...but its never too early to start, right? I will hopefully be Banded in September by Dr. Tiesenga @ Westlake. Im super excited!!!

Have you considered Mirena? That has worked wonders for me. Before the Mirena I had an extremely heavy flow( I know, TMI) and always had to wear a super huge pad AND a tampon:cursing:. I would probably change it every 2/3 hours. But now all I have is spotting when my period comes around :thumbup:, Its great! Best part, no weight gain and I don't have to worry about taking pills everyday. You should ask your doc about it.

Lashonda... Unfortunately you can't please everybody. Im sad to say that its been almost 3 weeks that my mother and I haven't spoken to each other... for that exact same reason. She is so against my decision to get the LAP-BAND® (this coming from a lady who has never had weight issues in her entire life!). So she really doesn't understand where Im coming from and for that same reason doesn't support me. I've tried explaining it to her so many times but she doesn't want to hear it. And you know what? Thats fine with me. I have my health to worry about and I won't let anyone get in the way. Just do you...

Hello. My name is Maria & I'm from Chicago. I've been struggling with my weight loss since I can remember. I've tried everything from Herbal Life, Alli, Xenadrine, Zantrex to Weight Watchers.... and NOTHING! It's been a heck of a journey! I would have never considered the LAP-BAND®®® until my best friend brought it to my attention (she's also overweight). So we went to the info session but it didn't convince me. So I started researching and came across this site. I've learned so much from so many different posts & discovered many good & bad things about the surgery. But I must say, the good definitely outweighs the bad! I especially love looking at everyones before & after... You all look amazing!!! I will admit that it terrifies me to go into surgery (traumatized from a c-section) but thankfully I have an amazing husband :tt2: who supports me. Unlike my parents who are against the idea. :scared2: They don't understand where I'm coming from (they've been skinny all their lives) & how this will benefit me the rest of my life. My cousin even said that I'm taking the easy way out. That instead of doing this I should really work hard by exercising and eating right for a year and if it doesn't work then consider the surgery... REALLY?!?!? So your telling me the 15+ years that I have been trying don't count, right? Girl, Please. Im so done listening to what everybody else has to say about my life. This is my choice. I want to be happy... and I will be.

@Danbo: This topic actually came up during an argument I was having with my mother last night :scared2: Her words were so hurtful that I couldn't take it anymore, I just got up and left. At this point I just wish I've never told her, but it's too late for that :seeya: Today is a new day and I'm just going to brush it off and keep my eye on the prize :thumbup: @eyd: Im glad your family is supporting your decision. Thats awesome :thumbup:. I wish I could say the same, but its ok. I have my wonderful hubby and my son by my side in this journey, thats all I need :thumbup: So August 27th huh?!?!? Wow!!! I bet you cant wait. I haven't found out my date yet... my first appointment is tomorrow After all the research I've done, I'm pretty confident with my decision and I know its going to be the best one I've ever made.

Hi Jenn, Hunny, we were in the exact same boat!!! LOL. I have my first appointment with the surgeon this friday and I'm still a little nervous. But I know its gonna be fine. What keeps me going is finding inspiration in everybody else's stories. I could literally spend hours on here learning from everybody else's experiences. It's gonna be awesome... just keep your eye on the prize.

Thanks Danielle. I think I'm done telling people. I really thought my family would support me, oh well. As far as the life changing goes... Im soo ready!!! How was the pain after surgery? Were you really sore? And what about that leak... are they gonna have to do another surgery to fix it?