Hi And Thanks

[Samantha Fleschner 1]

HI All,

I just want to start by thanking everybody for all of the knowledge that I have been able to gain through this site. I was recently banded, 9/19, and have had many questions and felt annoying to have to bother by doctors office consistently to get answers. It has been amazing that I have been able to find answers to all of the questions that I have had, and answers to questions that I did not even know I had. So for starters, thank you to everybody for the knowledge.

I feel very lucky that I am involved with a surgeon/group that is very well known and has a lot of experience in helping people with weight loss, specifically with bariatric surgery. I live in NYC and am a member of NYU's Weight Management program. http://thinforlife.med.nyu.edu/

What I like about this organization is that they are not just about the easy way out. In preparing and qualifying for surgery, I had to in addition to qualifying due to health related issues, overweight, high BMI and a obesity-related illnesses. They also sent me to see a psychologist who helped evaluate me for the surgery and to ensure that my mind was in the correct place. As somebody who has battled with weight throughout my childhood, I would think that I had enough medical documentation and experiences to demonstrate that I was an appropriate candidate for surgery. Although originally when I was told that I would have to go for evaluation, I did not understand the purpose and felt that it was a waste of my time. After meeting with the doctor and subsequently understanding the purpose of the evaluation I understand and I now pleased that the doctor’s office that I selected to do my surgery, cared so much that surgery was the correct thing for me.

Now about me :-)

I am a 34 year old woman who has battled with being overweight for as long as I can remember. Through my life I've tried some of the common weight loss methods, ie Weight Watchers, Nutritionist, and going to the gym. Although in recently years I have greatly improved my eating habits, I have not been able to get my weight under control. This March I had a life changing event happen, my father passed away unexpectedly. This caused me not only to reevaluate how I was living my life; it also had a negative effect on me physically. As a result I developed high blood pressure. This is combination with being overweight and having a diagnosis that is exacerbated by being overweight, fibromyalgia, I decided that it was time to get my life under control. I knew then, that if I did not lose weight that I would have no guarantee that I would live a full life and that the quality of my life would be poor. So that was as people saw, the straw that broke the camel’s back.

I am now excited about the possibilities that will now be open to be that I am going my health and overall life together.

[Spaness2012 609]

All excellent reasons! Congrats to your decision.....

[lassie 247]

welcome and congrats on you taking control of your life.

[Sojourner 2,446]

The band is a very self empowering tool to help you loose weight; you will determine your level of success by the choices you make.

Best wishes as you begin your journey...

[Spaness2012 609]

Sojo~~ I love this statement! Thank you.

"The band is a very self empowering tool to help you loose weight; you will determine your level of success by the choices you make. "