Hi, Kim. I live in Texas, too. My surgery is scheduled for July 23 in Houston. I, too, have been wrestling with feelings of fear. I think it is pretty normal. I finally wrote a letter to my husband including my wishes if something goes wrong. Now I don't dwell on it anymore. It was taking over every thinking moment before, making me feel very negative. No more! I am repeating the phrase used by my pastor last Sunday...TRUST AND OBEY; IT IS THE ONLY WAY. Well, I do trust God and believe that he has a plan. I may not know what that plan is, but He has my best interest at heart. So I will trust Him to determine the outcome of this surgery. And I don't think He's done molding me yet (I need a thinner body LOL) As I have traveled the path to this point, I have felt His gentle nudging. So I have to continue to trust in Him. Hope this helps. Good luck! Email me through my profile if you want to talk more.

Hi All, I'm getting closer to my date. Today is my last day to smoke, and yes I have been trying to quit, since my date was picked. Now I'm nervious about my surgery, I can't have a cigarette, my nervse are going to be shot. I hope by the time this is all done, that I'll be skinny, and smoke free. Man all my vices, have been taken away.

oops!!!!

Kimberly, I am also having surgery this month on the 21st. Like you, I am afraid I will fail. It is hard to have faith when we don't know what lies ahead for us. Everyone's experience is different. But I believe that attitude is half the battle for us. We may believe we have failed at all the other times but did we really? We have a true health problem. No one, even "normal" eaters finds losing weight easy. We wouldn't accuse someone with other health problems of not trying hard enough, would we? And you know what? We have NEVER done this before! This time will be different! When we go nighty night on that operating table, we are saying goodbye forever to those feelings of being someone who can't succeed. We will have a "tool" to help us this time. My biggest fear is my "own head". It can't do me in faster than anything. I believe if I am willing to risk my life by going through major surgery, I have the courage to do anything. My belief is that the day we are born and the day that we die is already written. That is Gods' department, so why do I worry? I trust that I have more to do in this life. And if it is my time, I trust that God will use my life for a reason to help others grow. I have been imagining Dorothy walking into Oz for the first time. That is the image I will go to sleep with on that table. Waking up will be like waking up to a whole new world, our new life! WE get to say what happens to us, no one else! The tool this surgery will give us is the power to go "home" and feel at peace with ourselves. And when all the weight is gone, we will find that the real us was really there all along! Just like the story! I will even be your "Glinda", helping you to find your way! Saying these words to you means that I also have too listen. And that helps me too. Hang in there, take deep breaths and let your mind relax. We WILL be fine! And our stories will have a happy beginning! Just know that I care! Hey, your surgery is on my daughters birthday! It's a sign! God bless! JoAnn

Hi Joan Good Luck on your up coming date mine is 7/9th which is today only 5 hours till its that time to have a new birthday woohooo Good luck and my prayers are with you. Nola