FLORIDAYS

I have been traveling a lot over the past few weeks for business and this past weekend I was on the same 4 hr flight as was my bariatric surgeon and his wife of all the coincidences!!
Turns out he was attending a conference with other bariatric physicians... And introduced me to his new partner whom I hadn't met. We Chatted and I asked him What one learns at a bariatric conference. He said its mostly talks and lectures learning about new procedures, current adaptations in old procedures and this year's focus was on aftercare. I told him I was so excited to hear about that because while I have no complaints with his aftercare from what I hear on this forum,....many drs have a difficiency In that area.
He said that aftercare is a topic that is discussed a lot and he said the majority of doctors he knows are very clear to their patients about the keys to being successful with the band. He said it doesnt pay for them not to explain it....people who are successful will be walking billboards And lets face it.. It's a business because it's an elective surgery...whether or not insurance covers it or not.
Seeing a dr once a month during the losing stage is paramount in his opinion. He said it allows the dr to get to know the patient, discuss what is working and more importantly what isn't. He said he cannot control the choices his patients make but seeing them once a month shows dedication to the cause and a level of accountability. He said 80% of his patients who don't Miss appointment are successful. Where as those who do have a much lower success rate. That makes complete sense to me.
I asked him why people aren't successful and he said unless there is a medical reason like a slip or some other problem it's because they aren't disciplined about following a measured way of eating, they aren't counting calories or they are eating the wrong things. He said he really believes the reason I was able to lose my weight is because I took it seriously and followed his rules. He also said most people expect miracles and think its a magic cure to get banded. They do not hear the dr when he tells them it will take lots of effort.
It was refreshing to speak to this man in a setting outside his office... But it further confirmed that the band is JUST a tool.... And like anything else it needs to be treated that way.

I have been traveling a lot over the past few weeks for business and this past weekend I was on the same 4 hr flight as was my bariatric surgeon and his wife of all the coincidences!!
Turns out he was attending a conference with other bariatric physicians... And introduced me to his new partner whom I hadn't met. We Chatted and I asked him What one learns at a bariatric conference. He said its mostly talks and lectures learning about new procedures, current adaptations in old procedures and this year's focus was on aftercare. I told him I was so excited to hear about that because while I have no complaints with his aftercare from what I hear on this forum,....many drs have a difficiency In that area.
He said that aftercare is a topic that is discussed a lot and he said the majority of doctors he knows are very clear to their patients about the keys to being successful with the band. He said it doesnt pay for them not to explain it....people who are successful will be walking billboards And lets face it.. It's a business because it's an elective surgery...whether or not insurance covers it or not.
Seeing a dr once a month during the losing stage is paramount in his opinion. He said it allows the dr to get to know the patient, discuss what is working and more importantly what isn't. He said he cannot control the choices his patients make but seeing them once a month shows dedication to the cause and a level of accountability. He said 80% of his patients who don't Miss appointment are successful. Where as those who do have a much lower success rate. That makes complete sense to me.
I asked him why people aren't successful and he said unless there is a medical reason like a slip or some other problem it's because they aren't disciplined about following a measured way of eating, they aren't counting calories or they are eating the wrong things. He said he really believes the reason I was able to lose my weight is because I took it seriously and followed his rules. He also said most people expect miracles and think its a magic cure to get banded. They do not hear the dr when he tells them it will take lots of effort.
It was refreshing to speak to this man in a setting outside his office... But it further confirmed that the band is JUST a tool.... And like anything else it needs to be treated that way.

I have been traveling a lot over the past few weeks for business and this past weekend I was on the same 4 hr flight as was my bariatric surgeon and his wife of all the coincidences!!
Turns out he was attending a conference with other bariatric physicians... And introduced me to his new partner whom I hadn't met. We Chatted and I asked him What one learns at a bariatric conference. He said its mostly talks and lectures learning about new procedures, current adaptations in old procedures and this year's focus was on aftercare. I told him I was so excited to hear about that because while I have no complaints with his aftercare from what I hear on this forum,....many drs have a difficiency In that area.
He said that aftercare is a topic that is discussed a lot and he said the majority of doctors he knows are very clear to their patients about the keys to being successful with the band. He said it doesnt pay for them not to explain it....people who are successful will be walking billboards And lets face it.. It's a business because it's an elective surgery...whether or not insurance covers it or not.
Seeing a dr once a month during the losing stage is paramount in his opinion. He said it allows the dr to get to know the patient, discuss what is working and more importantly what isn't. He said he cannot control the choices his patients make but seeing them once a month shows dedication to the cause and a level of accountability. He said 80% of his patients who don't Miss appointment are successful. Where as those who do have a much lower success rate. That makes complete sense to me.
I asked him why people aren't successful and he said unless there is a medical reason like a slip or some other problem it's because they aren't disciplined about following a measured way of eating, they aren't counting calories or they are eating the wrong things. He said he really believes the reason I was able to lose my weight is because I took it seriously and followed his rules. He also said most people expect miracles and think its a magic cure to get banded. They do not hear the dr when he tells them it will take lots of effort.
It was refreshing to speak to this man in a setting outside his office... But it further confirmed that the band is JUST a tool.... And like anything else it needs to be treated that way.

I have been traveling a lot over the past few weeks for business and this past weekend I was on the same 4 hr flight as was my bariatric surgeon and his wife of all the coincidences!!
Turns out he was attending a conference with other bariatric physicians... And introduced me to his new partner whom I hadn't met. We Chatted and I asked him What one learns at a bariatric conference. He said its mostly talks and lectures learning about new procedures, current adaptations in old procedures and this year's focus was on aftercare. I told him I was so excited to hear about that because while I have no complaints with his aftercare from what I hear on this forum,....many drs have a difficiency In that area.
He said that aftercare is a topic that is discussed a lot and he said the majority of doctors he knows are very clear to their patients about the keys to being successful with the band. He said it doesnt pay for them not to explain it....people who are successful will be walking billboards And lets face it.. It's a business because it's an elective surgery...whether or not insurance covers it or not.
Seeing a dr once a month during the losing stage is paramount in his opinion. He said it allows the dr to get to know the patient, discuss what is working and more importantly what isn't. He said he cannot control the choices his patients make but seeing them once a month shows dedication to the cause and a level of accountability. He said 80% of his patients who don't Miss appointment are successful. Where as those who do have a much lower success rate. That makes complete sense to me.
I asked him why people aren't successful and he said unless there is a medical reason like a slip or some other problem it's because they aren't disciplined about following a measured way of eating, they aren't counting calories or they are eating the wrong things. He said he really believes the reason I was able to lose my weight is because I took it seriously and followed his rules. He also said most people expect miracles and think its a magic cure to get banded. They do not hear the dr when he tells them it will take lots of effort.
It was refreshing to speak to this man in a setting outside his office... But it further confirmed that the band is JUST a tool.... And like anything else it needs to be treated that way.

I have been traveling a lot over the past few weeks for business and this past weekend I was on the same 4 hr flight as was my bariatric surgeon and his wife of all the coincidences!!
Turns out he was attending a conference with other bariatric physicians... And introduced me to his new partner whom I hadn't met. We Chatted and I asked him What one learns at a bariatric conference. He said its mostly talks and lectures learning about new procedures, current adaptations in old procedures and this year's focus was on aftercare. I told him I was so excited to hear about that because while I have no complaints with his aftercare from what I hear on this forum,....many drs have a difficiency In that area.
He said that aftercare is a topic that is discussed a lot and he said the majority of doctors he knows are very clear to their patients about the keys to being successful with the band. He said it doesnt pay for them not to explain it....people who are successful will be walking billboards And lets face it.. It's a business because it's an elective surgery...whether or not insurance covers it or not.
Seeing a dr once a month during the losing stage is paramount in his opinion. He said it allows the dr to get to know the patient, discuss what is working and more importantly what isn't. He said he cannot control the choices his patients make but seeing them once a month shows dedication to the cause and a level of accountability. He said 80% of his patients who don't Miss appointment are successful. Where as those who do have a much lower success rate. That makes complete sense to me.
I asked him why people aren't successful and he said unless there is a medical reason like a slip or some other problem it's because they aren't disciplined about following a measured way of eating, they aren't counting calories or they are eating the wrong things. He said he really believes the reason I was able to lose my weight is because I took it seriously and followed his rules. He also said most people expect miracles and think its a magic cure to get banded. They do not hear the dr when he tells them it will take lots of effort.
It was refreshing to speak to this man in a setting outside his office... But it further confirmed that the band is JUST a tool.... And like anything else it needs to be treated that way.

I have been traveling a lot over the past few weeks for business and this past weekend I was on the same 4 hr flight as was my bariatric surgeon and his wife of all the coincidences!!
Turns out he was attending a conference with other bariatric physicians... And introduced me to his new partner whom I hadn't met. We Chatted and I asked him What one learns at a bariatric conference. He said its mostly talks and lectures learning about new procedures, current adaptations in old procedures and this year's focus was on aftercare. I told him I was so excited to hear about that because while I have no complaints with his aftercare from what I hear on this forum,....many drs have a difficiency In that area.
He said that aftercare is a topic that is discussed a lot and he said the majority of doctors he knows are very clear to their patients about the keys to being successful with the band. He said it doesnt pay for them not to explain it....people who are successful will be walking billboards And lets face it.. It's a business because it's an elective surgery...whether or not insurance covers it or not.
Seeing a dr once a month during the losing stage is paramount in his opinion. He said it allows the dr to get to know the patient, discuss what is working and more importantly what isn't. He said he cannot control the choices his patients make but seeing them once a month shows dedication to the cause and a level of accountability. He said 80% of his patients who don't Miss appointment are successful. Where as those who do have a much lower success rate. That makes complete sense to me.
I asked him why people aren't successful and he said unless there is a medical reason like a slip or some other problem it's because they aren't disciplined about following a measured way of eating, they aren't counting calories or they are eating the wrong things. He said he really believes the reason I was able to lose my weight is because I took it seriously and followed his rules. He also said most people expect miracles and think its a magic cure to get banded. They do not hear the dr when he tells them it will take lots of effort.
It was refreshing to speak to this man in a setting outside his office... But it further confirmed that the band is JUST a tool.... And like anything else it needs to be treated that way.

I had a 4 inch flap of skin for lack of a better term.... And my Tummy Tuck took off 10 oz.... I was amazed but the dr said there was no fat behind it and skin just doesn't weigh that much. I was disappointed but thrilled with the results so not too worried about how much that skin weighed. I am almost 3 months post op from my tt and breast lift.

I have been traveling a lot over the past few weeks for business and this past weekend I was on the same 4 hr flight as was my bariatric surgeon and his wife of all the coincidences!!
Turns out he was attending a conference with other bariatric physicians... And introduced me to his new partner whom I hadn't met. We Chatted and I asked him What one learns at a bariatric conference. He said its mostly talks and lectures learning about new procedures, current adaptations in old procedures and this year's focus was on aftercare. I told him I was so excited to hear about that because while I have no complaints with his aftercare from what I hear on this forum,....many drs have a difficiency In that area.
He said that aftercare is a topic that is discussed a lot and he said the majority of doctors he knows are very clear to their patients about the keys to being successful with the band. He said it doesnt pay for them not to explain it....people who are successful will be walking billboards And lets face it.. It's a business because it's an elective surgery...whether or not insurance covers it or not.
Seeing a dr once a month during the losing stage is paramount in his opinion. He said it allows the dr to get to know the patient, discuss what is working and more importantly what isn't. He said he cannot control the choices his patients make but seeing them once a month shows dedication to the cause and a level of accountability. He said 80% of his patients who don't Miss appointment are successful. Where as those who do have a much lower success rate. That makes complete sense to me.
I asked him why people aren't successful and he said unless there is a medical reason like a slip or some other problem it's because they aren't disciplined about following a measured way of eating, they aren't counting calories or they are eating the wrong things. He said he really believes the reason I was able to lose my weight is because I took it seriously and followed his rules. He also said most people expect miracles and think its a magic cure to get banded. They do not hear the dr when he tells them it will take lots of effort.
It was refreshing to speak to this man in a setting outside his office... But it further confirmed that the band is JUST a tool.... And like anything else it needs to be treated that way.

I have been banded 2 yrs and 3 months... I have had no problems with slipping, leaks, port issues or anything really at all.

They are well deserved!Its funny... I have said thank you more in the past 2 years then I have ever said in my life. Its certainly an eye opener tho.... It makes me wonder what people dont say!!!
For example... we have been going to a neighborhood sports bar / family restaurant for 15 yrs or so for a quick bite or drinks with friends. There are lots of regulars there so everyone knows somebody most times... a lot of the people have become our friends over the years.
Several years ago an incident happened one night... there is one couple we know... he is ok but she is a drunk and just a trashy type of gal... she was wasted and something was said about how hot she thought she looked... and she said to my hubby...well I am surprised you dont notice me considering what your wife looks like. Hubby was smart enough to walk away from her but told me about it for some reason. Of course this was pre banded days and my feelings were hurt but I didnt really pay her any mind. In fact I am always pleasant to everyone but in her case I pretty much ignored her whenever I ran into her after her comments... and I doubted she remembered why.
We hadnt seen them in a really long time which I never thought twice about... but actually saw them a few weeks ago and she was all over me with how great I looked and the compliments were flowing like Water. I just said thank you and kept walking... really biting my tongue not to give her a piece of my mind. As the evening wore on she and caught me in the bathroom... again with the compliments.... I cracked... and I said to her... You know Cherry... I appreciate all your kind words but they really have no bearing on my life. She was like... huh? why? I reminded her about the comments she made several years ago and she denied them at first then chalked it up to her being drunk. So I said to her... its really too bad you arent able to identify your shortcomings like I did. I knew I was fat and chose to do something about it. Hopefully for the sake of your physical and mental health you find the willpower to help yourself.
Safe to say she pretty much walked away but i hope she will think before she speaks next time...

They are well deserved!Its funny... I have said thank you more in the past 2 years then I have ever said in my life. Its certainly an eye opener tho.... It makes me wonder what people dont say!!!
For example... we have been going to a neighborhood sports bar / family restaurant for 15 yrs or so for a quick bite or drinks with friends. There are lots of regulars there so everyone knows somebody most times... a lot of the people have become our friends over the years.
Several years ago an incident happened one night... there is one couple we know... he is ok but she is a drunk and just a trashy type of gal... she was wasted and something was said about how hot she thought she looked... and she said to my hubby...well I am surprised you dont notice me considering what your wife looks like. Hubby was smart enough to walk away from her but told me about it for some reason. Of course this was pre banded days and my feelings were hurt but I didnt really pay her any mind. In fact I am always pleasant to everyone but in her case I pretty much ignored her whenever I ran into her after her comments... and I doubted she remembered why.
We hadnt seen them in a really long time which I never thought twice about... but actually saw them a few weeks ago and she was all over me with how great I looked and the compliments were flowing like Water. I just said thank you and kept walking... really biting my tongue not to give her a piece of my mind. As the evening wore on she and caught me in the bathroom... again with the compliments.... I cracked... and I said to her... You know Cherry... I appreciate all your kind words but they really have no bearing on my life. She was like... huh? why? I reminded her about the comments she made several years ago and she denied them at first then chalked it up to her being drunk. So I said to her... its really too bad you arent able to identify your shortcomings like I did. I knew I was fat and chose to do something about it. Hopefully for the sake of your physical and mental health you find the willpower to help yourself.
Safe to say she pretty much walked away but i hope she will think before she speaks next time...

One of my co workers took this pic last week at my birthday celebration... as you see they found me the smallest cake in the world. But when I looked at the picture I noticed there really is a space between my legs which I have seen before but seeing it in a casual pic is pretty eye opening.
I know I have lost alot of weight... but as crazy as it sounds... sometimes I cannot wrap my head around it and still feel like the biggest girl in the room. I am trying hard to think like a thin person and I am not looking for sympathy so if you think I should shut up and pound sand I get that.
At 5'9" and 153 lbs, wearing a size 10 shoe.... I am not petite... and I never will be....I guess maybe that is what I need to start accepting it. I am curious if any other tall galls dealt with this body image issue?

One of my co workers took this pic last week at my birthday celebration... as you see they found me the smallest cake in the world. But when I looked at the picture I noticed there really is a space between my legs which I have seen before but seeing it in a casual pic is pretty eye opening.
I know I have lost alot of weight... but as crazy as it sounds... sometimes I cannot wrap my head around it and still feel like the biggest girl in the room. I am trying hard to think like a thin person and I am not looking for sympathy so if you think I should shut up and pound sand I get that.
At 5'9" and 153 lbs, wearing a size 10 shoe.... I am not petite... and I never will be....I guess maybe that is what I need to start accepting it. I am curious if any other tall galls dealt with this body image issue?

I was very strict with myself and I lost 220 lbs in 23 months. I counted every calorie except toothpaste limiting myself to 1000 calories every day. I weighed all my food whenever possible and ate 3 oz protien, 1/2 c veggies or salad and , 1/4 c starch three times every day. I drank more Water then I care to remember and I saw my dr every month without fail. I rarely drank alcohol and cheated less than a handful of times. I didn't exercise except walking which I am not proud of but it's honest. I had plateaus like everyone else but I averaged about ten lbs monthly. I became one with my band and the lesson is now helping me lose a few extra lbs while I am maintaining.
I never believed I would not succeed. Getting banded was a drastic decision for me and one I took very seriously. My life depended on it. And the results are amazing.... Because now I am wearing a size 6 and considering I was born a size 14 I am sure... It's an incredible transformation...one that has changed my life.

I have lost 221 lbs

I was 50 when I was banded 2 yrs ago. I am 5'9" and I lost 220 lbs in 23 months. I am maintaining at 157 and would like to lose 10 more lbs so i have some wiggle room. I went from 77" hips to 37". Part of my plan was to visit my dr monthly. I stuck to 1000 calories a day and weighed, measured and tracked everything I put in my mouth. I had an average loss of 10 lbs per month. My decision to get the band over other WLS was because I didn't want my anatomy changed. That's not to say other types of WLS doesn't work... I just didn't feel it was the choice for me.
So far I haven't had any issues I hear other discuss. I listen to my band and I don't test it's limits very often and so far it hasn't failed me.

You bet....!
I had a 4 day road trip the weekend before I started the pre op liquid... I ate and drank my way up and down the west coast of Florida. I almost welcomed the liquid!!!

If you eat less calories than you burn you can lose the weight. I would get back in to see the dr and start over....best of luck to you!!

I chose the band because of all the WLS out there the band didn't rearrange my anatomy or bodily functions and it can be removed should there be problems. It is a long term solution to help you lose but more importantly for me it helps me keep off the weight. No diet has ever done that. It's a permanant reminder of a temporary feeling!!!
I lost 220 lbs in 23 months...

It's a shame people need to be reminded of basic manners but thank you for all you do to make LBT an informative, fun place to visit.

It's a shame people need to be reminded of basic manners but thank you for all you do to make LBT an informative, fun place to visit.

I have been banded 2 yrs and 3 months... I have had no problems with slipping, leaks, port issues or anything really at all.

I have lost 221 lbs

I have lost 224 lbs. I was banded in 12/2010

One of my co workers took this pic last week at my birthday celebration... as you see they found me the smallest cake in the world. But when I looked at the picture I noticed there really is a space between my legs which I have seen before but seeing it in a casual pic is pretty eye opening.
I know I have lost alot of weight... but as crazy as it sounds... sometimes I cannot wrap my head around it and still feel like the biggest girl in the room. I am trying hard to think like a thin person and I am not looking for sympathy so if you think I should shut up and pound sand I get that.
At 5'9" and 153 lbs, wearing a size 10 shoe.... I am not petite... and I never will be....I guess maybe that is what I need to start accepting it. I am curious if any other tall galls dealt with this body image issue?