My upcoming date with the first day of the rest of my life

 Hello to all who will see this. My name is Richard,I live in Sutherlin, i'm fat and am going to have lap-band done on Friday 10/19/07. I really would like to talk to those that have gone through it because I feel myself chickening out.

Richard - I didn't have a lap band, I had RNY, but I can tell you, it's so worth it to go through with the surgery.  It's not a walk in the park by any means, but it's really not that bad.  I was very calm, cool, and collected about the whole thing until I got to the hospital the next morning and they were hooking up my IV.  I started to get scared.  Then, as they wheeled me into the operating room, I just wanted to jump off the gurney and say, I can't do this!!  But, a little voice inside my head said, "what are you going to do?  Join Weigh****chers again, lose 50 pounds and gain 75 back?  Don't blow this chance to start a new life."  I'm so very glad I went through with it.  I'm down almost 52 pounds since the end of July and I feel great.  Hang in there.  We have some banders here, so ask whatever questions you'd like.  They'll answer you! Linda

Hi guy! I am 6 mos. post op with open DS surgery and that's a BIGGIE and if I say mine was worth every moment of t- your lap band will likely be for you!

Don't forget to look at Lap Band Forum for those guys' first hand ifo & support- but we're all here to help you no matter which side of surgery we're on! http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/lapband/a,messageboard/boa rd_id,5359/ here's the link to Lap Banders on OH

Hang in there Richard!!! Take a deep breathe and realize this is going to be the best thing you can EVER do for yourself. I'm 5yrs out from open RNY and I have never regretted a day of it. I lost 211 lbs, gained 2 beautiful kids (never would have happened without weight loss) and am living a healthier life. Good luck to you and I hope you can find some peace in your decision... Deanna K

    Richard,  I met you at the Roseburg support group a couple of weeks ago.  You will do well.  I think you would regret it if you chicken out.  Just keeping thinking that "by Friday afternoon it will be done"  You can do it.  I am sending you an angel as you can see and my prayers are with you.  Hope to see you on the losers bench next meeting.   Julia

Hi Julia, thank you for the message and the Angel. Only yesterday did I finally feel that I will for sure go through with the surgery. I have not been very good about the pre-surgery diet up till yesterday. Maybe only 80% or so, but I have to do this. I WILL be at the Oct. meeting at Mercy. This will be only 5 day after my surgery, I hope to see you. I will keep my Angel with me. Thank you!

Richard, How exciting for you.... It is very weird how once we finally get to do the thing that will change our lives it seems so scary.  I am almost 8 months out of a RNY and have lost 117 pounds and I am sooooo happy.  I wake up every day with a smile on my face and even though all things in my life aren't so great all the time I have the fact that I am a success in this!!!! You will be too!  Go into surgery knowing that it will extend/save your life. I will thinks good thoughts for you! On another note my very best life-long friend is having the lap band with your Dr. on November 9th so any updates as you go through the process would be great.  Where is sutherlin? Debra 

hi Christina , do u have and post-op pics. I will be going to the info class at OHSU on the 15th.  I have been researching this since 2004.  Each day, I want this more and more.  My weight is definetly taking a toll on my health.  Will keep u guys posted.  Deb

Sutherlin is about 15 miles north of Roseburg on I-5 and 60 miles south of Eugene also on I-5.  My mom and brothers and I spent a weekend in a motel there with several other families when I was about 8 years old.  That is the only time I had ever really been there.  I haven't driven past Sutherlin for many years, so I am sure that it has grown some since then.

Hi Richard, Please, Please, Please don't chicken out. I was afraid to go through with my surgery too! I kept having second thoughts. I can now say it was totally worth it. Weight Loss Surgery saved my life. I was so obeese I didn't have much of a life left. I think it is worth it 100%. If you need to keep coming to this web site to get support, talk to your therapist who did your psych eval, or someone who loves you and is supportive of this surgery. Stay away from uninformed or negative people. You deserve to do this for yourself. Hopefully the time will go by quickly, keep busy and your day will be here before you know it. Take Care! Christina