[StephieSue]

Ok I had a close friend ask me last week what exactly I need for support through this entire surgery process so I got to thinking. i looked up to see if i could find anything from any weight loss support groups but couldn't come up with anything so i figured i'd put my own list together. i know in a lot of ways this is a personal thing, what works for some may work for the other but why not just put a general list together then everyone can pick what they need and use that? so here is my list so far, please give me opinions, input, and add to this list if you have something, i will be posting on the net for others to use as a guideline so the more the better.

thanks in advance
First and foremost do not think that the band is the easy way out, I still have to work hard to get the success out of the band. It is not an easy way out, it's a tool that I can use to bring myself to a healthy point in my life.
Don't be afraid to ask me questions about the surgery itself or the entire process of being banded. It's nice to know you are interested in what I am going through.
Please do not bring me junk food, candy, soda. Sure I love those things but that's why I am fat in the first place.
Please at least act proud of me even if you aren't, I need that positive support.
Please at least act like you believe in me, I've been told so many times I'm a failure that I tend to think that way unless told otherwise.
If you think you see a difference in my body or attitude please tell me that you notice.
Please don't ask me about my weight or how much I have lost, when I feel I can tell you don't worry I will.
Please understand that this is going to be hard for me as I am going to have many changes going on with my mind and body, allow me to be grouchy and it be ok, if I cry it's ok too, don't take all of my moodiness personal.
Don't try to be my diet coach, if I make a mistake that's my fault and I will learn from it.

[GeorgiaOnMyMind]

Steph, that list is a great idea! Good luck!!

[Andie's Mom]

Steph, we're all proud of you just for making this step towards becoming healthier. And remember, in this instance we want you to be a big loser! Look at it in a positive way.

Even a few ounces lost is still a loss and therefore closer to your goal.

You are a bright, intelligent woman and you can and will succeed in this task.

Remember, this ISN"T a diet, it is a lifestyle change. A change for the better.

We're all very proud of you girl no matter what!

[equineRtist]

Steph, please KNOW this:
We ARE interested!
We ARE so very proud of you!
We DO believe in you!
We will NEVER put you down.
Anytime ANYONE puts you down, rise up, stand even taller and say, "I am what I am, I am who I am and I like me this way", and never change who you are to please anyone! We all have the right to be who and what we are!
You are a strong lady and will come through this stronger than ever. Look at yourself, LIKE yourself, LOVE yourself, just as you are, just because you are you! You need no other reason and neither do we!

It looks like you have you list pretty well thought out. Good for you. Hang in there and know we are here for you.
Oh, and if you get grumpy and need to blast away...PM me and BLAST, I don't mind a bit!
HUGS

[jujusaffiemom]

Weeza has hit the nail on the head.We are so proud of you!!! You know we are all here when you need to RANT or tell us anything.

[Jamie]

Just one comment about the diet coach on your list Some people might offer you healthy recipes or food ideas... hopefully not in a "Steph can't do this by herself" way but in a "I know this really tasty recipe that's also healthy and I would like to share it" way. Would you like people to give you ideas for recipes or would you rather not? I'm sure everyone here has ideas and I personally wouldn't mind hearing some *hint hint* Recipe thread *hint*

We are all super proud of you for taking this step! Enjoy your road to health!!!!

[QTQP4me]

i can't think of a single thing to add. reading your list reminds me of what a friend told me once after she had a miscarriage: people were so afraid of upsetting her that they just disappeared altogether.

ok, so maybe i did think of one thing. or maybe you already said it...

YOU are not your lapband surgery. YOU are still a human being, and you deserve to be treated as a person, not a post procedure statistic. while it's good that people are interested mand comfortable enough to ask questions, there is still more to you than your surgery stories. does that make sense?

i do wish you luck! from reading your posts sometimes, you seem like you need this little bit of extra push to get things rolling. just don't let anyone bring you down or diminish your progress. every little bit counts, so if you lose 4 ounces today instead of 8, oh well. it's still 4 more than the day before. and way better than a stick in the eye

kris

[StephieSue]

I want to thank each and every one of you, your support is so valuable to me, truly is and I'm amazed at the friendships and bonds I have with the wonderful ppl here at qp.com

Jamie thank you for pointing that out, I will modify that for sure. I guess what I mean by it is diet police per se. If I eat something I shouldn't I don't want someone saying "you really need that" or "is that on your list of ok foods" so thank you very much for showing me how that might come off.

Kris thank you as well, I will add that b/c I never thought about others looking at me as a statistic instead of a person.

BTW have I told ya'll that I love ya