[Jami83]

Hey everyone! My name is Jami, I'm 23 and from Tampa, Florida.
I've been overweight all of my life and have been losing on and off for the past two years. I recently broke a huge barrier around 3 months ago, I dropped my weight to under 300 lbs, to gain 12 back, the past month. It was devasting because I swore I'd never go back to the 3's. I am looking to make new friends, gain new support, and get this weight off! I'd love to talk to anyone, and would also love to talk to those of you who have considered the lap band surgery or that have had it done. I have a weight loss journal on another message board: http://mariposabecito.proboards58.co...ead=1159760057

as well as a Myspace if any of you get on there: http://myspace.com/xojami

Best of luck to all of you and I hope to get the chance to know a lot of you!

[pgray1229]

Hello and welcome!! It's great here! Everyone is so supportive. You seem very positive about this, and I know you'll do a great job! Post often so we get to know you!

[rockinrobin]

Hi. I was schedueled for lap band surgery September 18. I had started the process in May and was so excited. On Sept. 4 I was all set to go and started my 1000 calorie/liquid diet and on September 11 i called the surgeon to cancel. I started freaking out a bit about the surgery itself and then about having this thing inside me which I figure eventually has to erode and I said to myself I've never really given losing weight a real serious effort on my own so here I am four weeks after September 4 and I will get weighed tomorrow, but so far have lost about 15 pounds on my own. It's verrry hard and I have a loong way to go, but I figured I owed it to myself to give it one last really good try on my own. Good luck in whatever you decide!

[Misti in Seattle]

Hi Jami, and welcome to the forum! I lived in Florida for four years... Fort Lauderdale! Let me invite you to a super neat section of the forum under "Support" section -- the "300+ and Ready to Try Again" group. They are a wonderful team of encouragers.

Fed Up, I agree with you; it's far better and healthier to lose the weight on our own if we can. Even with the surgery, people still have to develop healthful habits or they often gain back the weight.

Jami, have you talked to a good doctor to have him/her help set you up on a healthful eating and exercise program? If not that is a good place to start IMO. I do wish you success in your endeavors. Don't give up... there are thousands of us here on 3FC doing it... YOU can be one of them!