38 days and counting

I am getting Lap-Band Surgery on November 24. I have already been approved by insurance and have seen a nutritionist and a psychiatrist. I also sat in on a session with post-op bandees and went to weight watchers for 6 months. I have been going to Weight Watchers for at least 29 years off and on after my 3rd child was born. I originally had only 30 lbs. to lose, but that started my almost 30 year quest of losing and gaining weight. I feel like I can now see the light at the end of the tunnel. I want to lose 150 lbs. I have been told that with the lap-band you can only expect to lose at most, 60% of your goal. I am hoping to go beyond that expectation. I have talked to several bandees who have lost 160 +, so I am hopeful. Even if I don't get to that goal, I will be happy just to be at a healthy weight.
I have arthritis in my knee from a meniscus tear which required laproscopic repair surgery. I am bone on bone and it is quite painful. Right now I have some relief because I had a cortizone shot one month ago, however I need a knee replacement eventually, and the morbidity risk with obesity is pretty significant.
I chose to write a blog mainly to document my progress through this experience. I want to be able to read back through and remember all my ups and downs. I also want to be able to share this experience with family and friends so they know what I am going through. I saw a friend recently who had lost probably 200 lbs. I didn't know what to say to him because I wasn't sure whether he had lost the weight on purpose, or whether he had been sick. It would have been inappropriate to say "Wow, you lost a lot of weight," or "gosh you look great." As it turned out, he had been really sick (I still don't know what he had), so I am glad I didn't say anything. I want people to know what I am going through so they won't be leary of saying anything about my weight loss. I feel that the more support I have out there, the easier this will be for me. This is an exciting time in my life, and I can't wait to get started.
I am planning to post a before picture (head shot) and probably monthly updates (also head shots). Once I get down to near my goal weight, I may feel brave enough to include body shots (clothed of course). : ) This is always the fun thing to see on other blogs, of which I have read many. I will also try to update as often as possible, but at least once a week. Thank you to all of you who are already showing their support. I can't tell you how much it means to me.