Finally Saying Hi!

[TLL 105]

I've been lurking around reading everyone's posts since before I had my surgery, so I figured it's about time to finally introduce myself and tell my story!

So, I'm Tara, a 33 year old woman who recently married my love who I've lived with for over 12 years. I think that was the defining day for me. We had planned on getting married for years and years, but finally decided to just go to the court house with a couple of family members and do the deed. I couldn't even stand to have people take pictures of me/us that day. I know everyone wanted them, and I should have as well, but at almost 320 pounds I just couldn't stomach the idea. Of course, that's only one of a laundry list of things I face on a daily basis being this size. Struggling to physically keep up at work, with my husband, with my own body, heath problems, missing out on life in general...I could go on for days.

I've been talking about having this procedure since I was in my early 20s, and then everything suddenly happened so fast! A lot of days I'm still trying to wrap my brain around it all. On June 24th I had my initial consultation with my lap band surgeon. It took only a month to get insurance approval, do preop things, a week of the dreaded liquid diet, etc. One month to the day later, on July 24th, I got my band! I had a small problem early on, too much Fluid was left in when they tested the band during surgery, so I had extreme pain anytime I tried to take even a small sip of Water. Hitting a weekend and surgeon vacations, I ended up like that for 7 days before I could get in to have it unfilled. He got about 1cc of Fluid plus air out. IMMEDIATE RELIEF! I just had my first fill a few days ago, and he put 2cc back in and it feels great. I can drink without problems and my hunger is managed well for now.

Since the day of my initial consultation with the surgeon, I have lost 34 pounds. WOO HOO! I think I've FINALLY found a tool that works for me!!!

[tonya49 95]

Welcome to the club

[kll724 3,055]

Congrats on your wedding and weightloss! You are on the way girl!!Welcome aboard!

[KAATNS 1,473]

Congrats and welcome!

[Bandista 7,466]

So exciting......I am pre-band and love reading stories like yours. Congratulations on everything -- won't it be wonderful to show up for all the future happiness with good health!