I have been overweight all my life , since i can remember i was always the [ fat ] girl in school. And growing up with losing my mother when i was 13 and all other obstacles i had to overcome but none have been more troubling then being over weight! Just 3 years ago i found out i have type 2 diabetes so i was put on metformin , byetta , and glipazide. Also i have high cholesterol and was taken tricor and lipitor , and then of course i deal with depression and anxiety so i take effexor and lorazapm. Then in june of 2007 i had a liver biopsy and found out i have liver disease [ fibrosis of the liver] so i was totlly devastated! All this time i have been fighting to get the lap band for 5 years but my insurance was saying medically i dont need the surgery , untill the liver disease then they took notice and reviewed my case but denied it , the doctors fought for me and finally my insurance agreed to pay, they were doubtful because they look at the lap band as being more cosmetic [ go figure]. So now that i have had the surgery im doing well and im off all my diabetic medicines and cholesterol meds!!! my weight before surgery was 363 im at 336 i have lost 27 pds since march 25th i was weighed last on friday the 11th 2008. Iam so happy to have gotten the Lap Band and im on my way to a whole new life i have 170 pds to lose and i know i can do it! I have to i want to live to see my son grow up and get married and have kids! And for me to have a chance to try and beat this liver disease i must lose weight and now i have help there is nothing stopping me!! My first fill is on may 9th and i cant wait to have more restriction and continue on this journey with hope of a new me!! I havent dated in over 5 years because of my weight , so hopefully i will be ready to explore life sooner then later! I wish everyone the best that has had the surgery , i keep telling myself food is not my friend! And its amazing how food can have so much control over a persons mind when i think about it , it sickens me now!! But enough of that im always trying to think happy thoughts and do what i need to do to beat this addiction!!