Hello to All

[A New Woman 1]

Hi there! I'm new to this forum. I have my band surgery scheduled for 3/12/09 at Oakwood Hospital in Dearborn, Michigan. I'm thrilled, nervous, excited, anxious all at the same time.

My story -- I'm a 44 year old woman. I hope to be "A New Woman" when I get my band and start living a healthier lifestyle. I've struggled with my weight for the last 20+ years. Strangely enough, as a child and teen I didn't have a weight problem. I was only a 3 lb. full term baby and was small most of my life. I graduated high school at 110 lbs. Somewhere along the way I learned to equate food with every emotion in my life. It's how I socialize. I go out to lunch with co-workers. I go to lunch or dinner with my daughters. I love to cook and show my family how much I love them by making fabulous meals and Desserts. I eat when I'm happy, I eat when I'm sad, I eat when I'm bored or angry. Honestly, I don't know what it's really like to "feel" hungry since I can eat at any time and rarely feel hunger pangs. I've tried WW, Jenny Craig, LA Weight Loss, doctor supervised liquid Protein diet. I'll be successful and then fall back into my old ways. I KNOW what I need to do. I just need help doing it. I've read some of the stories and looked at the pictures and I feel even more motivated. I was starting to worry "what if I fail at this too!" and then I saw the photos and realized I CAN DO THIS! I just have to keep telling myself that failure is NOT an option.

Please tell me what has been the most challenging for you (either expected or unexpected) and what has been easier for you than you imagined.

I look forward to hearing from you all.

24 days and counting!

[MacMadame 81]

Welcome to LapBandTalk!

Does your program have access to a counselor post-op so you can work out your food feelings? That can be very important for success.