My story

[Nahila1122 4]

Hello all,

I'm new to this site and this is my first post. I just want to tell my story.

I am 33 years old. Single mom to a 16year old. I have not always been overweight but I've always been tall. I started struggling with my weight after I had my son. It was hard and lonely dealing with a baby and still being a teenager so food became my friend. My weight fluctuated over the years but I never really loss more than 40 lbs at a time and then I would self sabotage. I've tried everything, from weight watchers, diet pills, starving myself and I would lose but over and over again I would either find a reason to stop, or eat, or both.

I had a friend a few years ago that I was going to the gym with who decided to have weight loss surgery and I said it was a cop out and I got mad at her and stopped being her friend. I felt like I was going to be left behind.

In September of this year I was talking to a sherif who had the gastric bypass and he was telling me about his journey. Something in me clicked. Something said enough is enough. So I came home and went online and started researching. I told my best friend (who is small) about it and she said let's do it. We went to the seminar on October 9th. It was raining so we were the only 2 people there. It felt like fate. I left there feeling excited and inspired. I went through all the testing on October 30th. I did an EKG, an ultrasound (they found out I have a rather large gall stone), a breathing test (which was hard cause I smoke), a few other tests, I did a sleep study, and the following morning I had endoscopy.

Shortly after that I received some bills from my insurance and I thought I had to pay for everything. Then I heard from my doctor that I had to do another sleep study. Ugh, the first one was horrible. So I was ready to call it quits. Self sabotage yet again. I stopped answering calls. Then I got the bills from the doctor and realized I had read the insurance bills wrong and I only had to pay the 80% I was originally told. So I started answering my phone again and rescheduled my sleep study.

Last week I got my approval letter and I'm scheduled for surgery on January 24th. I'm totally freaked out. I have to stop smoking and do a 2 week liquid diet. I'm worried that I'm going to sabotage myself and the thing I want most right now will not happen. I can see the finish line and I don't want to block myself. I have been dealing with my weight for the last 15 years and it has hindered me from doing so much with my life. I just recently got my drivers license and that was only because I needed it for work. I want a car, I want to take a real vacation. I want to stop sitting in the house on my days off and go do something.

Any support to get through the next few weeks is welcomed. Thanks.

[Leepers 1,195]

You need to realize that this is a huge comittment. Just getting the band will not make you lose weight. It still requires many visits to the doctor and changing how you view food. Having said that, it is awesome that you've taken the steps toward a new journey. You CAN do it. I wish you much success!

[Nahila1122 4]

I do realize the lap band is a major commitment and only a tool for weight loss. I just need to stay focused on my goal and nothing else. Thanks for the encouragement.

[SandyM 1,956]

You can do this. It will require some work on your behalf, but keep your eye on the prize

[dylanmiles23 2,198]

Hi and welcome to the best site and the greatest support system ever! Getting the band is the best thing I did for me. I am much older than you. Being that you are so young just think of all the wonderful things you can do with your child. Sorry forget the sex. Going out to dinner and you fitting into a booth is a great NSV. (non-scale-victory) We all love those on this site. Smaller size clothes. Breathing better. I don't snore anymore. I no longer shop in the 'plus size' departments. My only meds are Vitamins and minerals and 2 prescriptions for BM troubles, I have.

Good luck and stay in touch.

Arlene

[gowalking 10,790]

See if there's any way you can reach out to your old friend to apologize for telling her WLS was a cop out now that you know better. It's anything but that....it's still alot of work and a real commitment. If you can reconnect with this friend, she might be a good support for you on your journey.

[Bandista 7,466]

Hi there and congratulations on your decision for a healthy life. It's exciting to see you turn it around like this. There are others here quitting smoking and getting banded in January. You will find each other if you keep poking around on the site. I joined in June and read all I could and people have so much good input -- a lot of compassion and then information that I really did not get thought the hospital program. By November when I was banded I felt so ready for this big new change in my life. And I'm so happy with the band. It takes a few months after being banded to get to the right fill for optimal weight loss. I am doing very well but this is what people are talking about when they say it takes commitment. Some think it all happens right away but because the Lapband is adjustable there is a process to get to the right adjustment for you and of course you have to follow all the rules set forth by your doctor. Make sure your doctor is dedicated to the follow-up -- that is key. So glad you're quitting smoking, too! One of the things I did when I started down this road was to get a therapist to talk through my eating issues and help with the process. I'm glad I had that extra support along with the support from people on this site. Best wishes to you!