jameza40
Hello all! I got my surgery date - Dec. 21st! I want to dive right in and learn as much as I can. I've bought the books - from recipes that "banders" can make/eat post-op to "weight loss surgery for dummies" and I've also got about 50 websites on my favorites list - now I want to start talking to people that have done it and are doing it! I am excited and a little nervous. My lap-band is a MERRY CHRISTMAS gift to myself - but I am nervous about seeing all the food I look forward to eating each year. Obviously being I will only be DAYS post-op I will not be able to eat solid foods yet - will it be as emotional as I think it could be? Any advice is CERTAINLY welcome.
I cannot wait to start shrinking! My sisters wedding is September of 2007... and mine is TENTATIVELY projected at August of 2008. I want to wear a confident smile in those wedding pics... both my own as well as my sisters. This is one small motivator in the grand scheme of MANY.
I am a teacher, and I want to be able to keep up with my kids. I do not want to be out of breath when I get back up to my classroom on the 2nd floor from the office on the first. I want my knee and back pain to go away! I want to put on clothes and FEEL GOOD in them! I want to look in the mirror and feel good about the girl looking back at me - whether she is clothed yet or not! 
My biggest fear, if of course failure. I've never known any other ending to the HUNDREDS of other attempts at losing weight I've tried in my life. Will I chew my food enough?? HOW can I eat without drinking??? Will I mess up at the beginning, during the clear-liquid or full-liquid phases and cause something horrible like a band-slippage to occur?? How did you all cope with those major changes?
Thank you for all the help you've all unknowingly given me over the past few weeks of me lurking around! And thank you in advance for all the support and contiuned help I am sure you will be in the near future!!!! 
That's all for now... Oh, I should also mention that I am currently in grad-school (going for my Masters in Education - Reading to be exact) which is shortly wrapping up for the semester.. woo hoo!)! Busy, busy, busy...
Looking forward to getting to know you all better!
~Jess
