(cue spooky music) Friday the 13th!!

I'm a 25-year-old graphic designer in Boston, MA and I'm scheduled for surgery through Brigham and Women's wonderful program. I'll be having a lap RNY (hopefully; at 400+ lbs I'm at the edge of Dr. Lautz' already-generous limit, but he thinks it will go fine) at Brigham and Women's hospital on Friday the 13th I'm seeing the date as a signal for positive change, in the same way that the 'death' tarot card is actually a good thing. I have met some great people at group meetings at the Brigham, but would love to meet some folks here. Especially artsy people, computer geeks, people in (or near) their 20's, and super-obese people -- but I'll be interested to hear from anyone. Please drop me a line! Think of your pal in Boston on Friday the 13th... I'm nervous and excited. grazie, k8

hi, I'm from NYC and a BIG yankee fan and won't holdit against you that you are from Boston I am also having surgery on May 13th and also looked at as a great sign. I wasn't scared at first, but today had the upper GI with follow through and that was not fun. I'm have the LAP BAND and wouldn't even consider gastric bypass because of other health conditions. I have celiac disease and malabsorption is already an issue and will not go through that again. I will keep you in my thoughts as I recover and will check back here to see how you are progressing. Marie, NYC

Yankees booooo. I think you're in luck; my beloved Sox are having some serious pitching trouble at the mo. And the Orioles have sure had our number. I'm glad you're excited about the 13th, too -- we'll make it GOOD luck! I'll definitely be thinking of you as I recover... I hear the banding is a little easier to get over. Hopefully you have a shorter way to go than I do, too... I'm looking at a 250-lb process here. Best of luck and I can't wait to hear more about your journey! -k8

HI HOW ARE YOU I AM A 24 YEAR OLD NURSE I AM TIPPING THOSE WONDERFUL SCALES AT 330 AND I AM SCHEDULED TO HAVE SURGERY ON MAY 5TH... IF YOU WANT TO TALK MORE FEEL FREE TO E MAIL ME @ [email protected]... GOOD LUCK!

I think it's kinda neat. The end ("death") of an old life and body and a new one is born! I've always had better luck on the 13th. Never believed in the bad luck part of it. Good luck to you! I know all will go well!!

Hehe thanks all for the good wishes. And I'm glad no one thinks it's bad luck. I like the new life and body being born part -- I think we should all celebrate our wls anniversaries as we would birthdays. Maybe start reading the different horoscope in the comics pages. I don't know about other doctors' protocols, but I'll be starting a liquid diet about a week before the surgery to shrink my liver -- hopefully that will allow me to have a laparoscopic surgery as planned. I was not, however, required to meet a weight goal before surgery. So now it's just waiting... I'm so excited, a little nervous, and don't know what to expect despite obsessively reading... I'm nervous to see how I'll deal with the pain, the lifestyle change, and the new person that will emerge. I don't remember what I'm like as someone not disabled by fat. Yay for May! It helps so much to know that there are people all over the country doing this at the same time. I'm sending out good vibes and e-hugs to all my Maytime peeps.

My doctor asked me to try to lose 18 pounds before he saw me again and I had managed 13. Since fasting, however, I've dropped even more. I still have 2 more days to go! WOW! Monday sounds far off until you look at it that way!! I remember being 135 pounds about 15 years ago. When I was a high school senior. I'm haunted by those pictures. I remember taking my weight for granted back then. Could eat McDs 2 meals a day and didn't gain an ounce! Those days of eating whatever I want may be over, but at least I'll have my health, and for the most part, my body and shape back! Yeah, round is a shape, but I prefer something with a little less diameter!! Good luck on with your surgery as well!!

My mother always said to my niece, who was born on the 13th of July 19?? that "The 13th is a good luck day". So I approach the 13th of any month as a lucky & peaceful day. And I'm sure that will hold true for you too! I wish you all the best on your new Birthday, Friday May 13th! Keep us posted, Okay?