Research, research, research!

Before doing anything, from taking a road trip to having weight loss surgery, I cannot express the importance of doing research. Having an arsenal of information before you head into something unknown can be a godsend. For me, I found the internet to be invaluable. As my husband says, you can find anything on the internet these days.

One of the first things you can look for is an online support group. There are many out there, if you look. Sometimes you don't even have to look that hard, they just pop up! Just type in what you are looking for into your favorite search engine, and you will come up plenty of links. Most are free, you just have to register a username to post on the boards, or blogs.

Another place you can look is through your insurance company. They may have classes, support groups, or other resources that may work for you. That is how I end up finding out, and having weight loss surgery.

A great place for your support, is church. Yep, I said it. And you don't have to be a church goer to get the benefits of this support. Most churches have support groups like 12-step, or other recovery meetings. 12 step, you ask? Isn't that for drug users and alcoholics? No! It can be for you too. Check this - at least for me, the reason I got to an unhealthy weight is because I had an unhealthy relationship with food. Basically a food addict. A 12 step program can help you overcome this relationship and give you great tools to recover.

Finally - your family and friends. Never underestimate the power of love. I know that if I hadn't had the support from my friends and family I would not have been successful in completing my six month course of classes and other requirements to have the surgery in the first place. And chances are, someone you know already knows someone who has gone through what you are considering. That was what surprised me the most. When I first told my mother-in-law I was considering weight loss surgery, she said "Oh, yeah - so and so had that and has lost a ton of weight!". Wow. Just when you think you are alone in this journey, you're not.

Oh, and don't forget - you always have me!

That is all, for now - but I leave you with this:

"By associating with wise people you will become wise yourself" -- Menander