Hi all! *waves*

Hi all! I live in western New York and I'm *hoping* to get a lapband surgery at me point in the not-too-far-away future!! A bit about me...ummm....I'm 18, homeschooled and the oldest of 5 kids. I love Jane Austen and Amy Grant. My ambitions are to be a children's author and a wife and mother. most of all, I AM SO TIRED OF BEING FAT!!!! and everything that goes along with it....I have tried sooo hard to lose and nothing works-I'm praying that surgery will. I'd love to hear any success stories and success stories-in-progress if any of you care to share? Louisa

Hi Louisa, Welcome! I like Amy Grant too , although my favorite is Third Day I consider myself somewhat of a success story.I have been overweight most of my adult life, trying every diet I could but it seemed I couldnt stick with anything for long enough and everything I lost I would gain back and then some. At 100 lbs over weight I decided to have the RNY surgery as I am (or was) a sugar-holic and new with the lap band I could still eat sugar - it might take all day but I could still consume enough sugar to sabatoge myself so that is why I decided to go with RNY. I had my surgery on 11/11/04 and I have lost 83 lbs in 6 months. I have 4 lbs to go till I am no longer overweight and can be considered "normal" (maybe the only thing normal about me will be my weight, lol) and I have a total of 17 lbs to lose to get to my goal of 100 lbs gone forever. There are some pictures in my profile if you care to look. So I am not a complete sucees yet, but I am almost there! I thank the Lord for this surgery because I was not doing it on my own - I was developing high blood pressure, was heading towards diabetes (had gestational) and had lots of aches and pains in knees, back and shoulders and that is all a distant memory - so as far as that goes I am a complete success!! You know even if I dont lose another pound, I have to be so happy with where I am at - I am healthy and I feel WONDERFUL. I pray for God's blessings for you as you begin this journey! ~Andrea

Louisa, Hello hun, I am still pre-op but wanted to send my thoughts and prayers for you as you start your journey. ~hugs~ It is filled with so many emotions and from what I hear so worth it in the end...... Best of luck hun and please keep us posted as you move along...... Debra Peace

Hi Louisa Welcome to the NY board....and welcome to our family.... I had open RNY 1/31/05 lost 91 lbs and went from size 26 to 18 pants and 4x to 16 tops.... I have tried many diets, oh I even invented a few I did lost weight but always gain it back double....I still have 70 more lbs to lose I wish you the best in your jounery... Christine