Christina.Rose

I told a lot of people but not everyone. If I am asked however I will be honest and upfront. It is hard to hide the fact I lost 220+ pounds in under 2 years. My reasoning behind not wanting to broadcast it originally is because I was afraid of failure and being known as the fat guy who couldn't even lose weight with WLS.
Not afraid of that anymore and I will talk up how the band added years back to my life. It is a very personal decision to share with people but once you put it out there it cannot be taken back. I always tell people to give that some good thought before hastily offering up the info.

(raising hand) I am one of those 'liars' ahhahaha. There's only 3 people who know I have the band (mom, MIL and my hubby...oh and of course everyone here). I have a long list of reasons for not disclosing:
1) It's kind of like disclosing your sexuality- why is it your business and why do you care LOL
2) I am not interested in educating every individual I encounter as to what the band is, why I did it, how it works, drawing diagrams etc..because you know that's exactly what will happen
3) I am not interested in the feedback. Too many people go into lecture mode, are judgemental, etc and you don't know which ones are which until you share this kind of info. A great test...ask them in a general convo what do you think about people who get wls? what about less invasive ones like the band? and see what you get. I'm not interested in being anyone's target for the sake of 'conversation'
4) I, unlike most people here, have been fortunate to have moved around a bit. This is a blessing in disguise because I've never been anyone long enough for people to see the heeps of weight pooring off of me. There was nothing to justify. People would see small drops and this is easily accomplished through healthier eating habits.
Now with that being said, on the very rare occassion if someone is discussing getting wls, or feels hopelessly obese etc..I will share my story with them in hopes to give them an option or simply to educate them if they have q's on their own surgery. I am not ashamed of having wls, but to me, it's just not something I have to share

In my early Weight Watchers years, I always remember something one of the leaders said. Something along the lines of that a holiDAY does not have to become a holiMONTH or a holiYEAR. Really stuck with me.

Christina, I have so much respect for learning about the band and starting over again. I think you should look at this as your new "first day" and go forward from here. I'm sure you'll have amazing success

The hubby and I have been talking about retiring out of state. Actually half way across the planet to Hawaii. Reading about all the people who have moved and lost touch with their surgeons, as set me on a plan for how I am going to be able to maintain our band when we decide it's right for us to relocate.
I know it's not for several years, but I am hoping to start investigating property there shortly. I think I will also do some research on band doctors on the islands, and see what I find. If I find someone that we like perhaps we can get him and our current Dr. in touch with each other so when we finally relocate there won't be an issue.
I always worry about that, other doctors not wanting to take on new patients that aren't theirs.
Anyway I appreciate everyone's feedback because it's helping me to get ready for the future Just thought I would share.

You know I have learned over the fourteen months that I have been banded that I do not need to be precious about my decision. I have still three stone to lose , do I think that the band has failed me ? No I don't , do I think I should have had the sleeve , bypass ect no I don't. All of these procedures are because we are primarily addicts who have looked for the quick fix on each occasion. I am facing my daemons for the first time because I have no option. It's making me see life as it is and should be not as it once was through a haze of over eating and self loathing. I'm sure in years to come my band may need changing adjusting taking out. There may be a better intervention. I'm just glad today I'm here , five stone lighter and happy. It's all I need for today.

Update! I have ditched the butcher, Milton Owens, and found Dr Misra of Beverly Hills Physicians. Half the price of Owens an hour closer to me AND she is awesome! She actually went over my concerns with me and gave me an actual plan with goals. At the end I even got a freaking hug! Never again will I subject myself to that other jerk!..........btw, I don't have to justify my experience with anyone. I'm not an angry Lapband office employee, I'm an angry Veteran who was being treated like crap. Read my post and take from it what you want.

I posted this under "My story" but maybe this will save someone searching for a surgeon some misery if they read this here first.
Unfortunately, I have Dr Milton Owens as my Dr at Chapman Medical Center in Orange, CA. He NEVER remembers who I am OR my history, he is rude and downright mean. I also think he is a sadist who wants to make me suffer for asking legitimate questions about my healthcare. He is dismissive, arrogant etc. Some examples of screwed up things he has said/done:
~Once I cheated (post op) and ate doritos and I was very afraid that I would tear something or who knows what. I called to ask for advice (i.e. to throw up, slam Water...whatever) He said "If you are going to eat doritos why did you bother having the surgery?"
~I asked for a SECOND fill because I was having ZERO restriction, was always hungry and had waited 2 weeks already. He said, "Whats wrong with being hungry? You are not starving. The average person could survive on their fat stores for about a month, for you it would be even longer."
~I got an OVERFILL from him once and was in so much misery I called within 24 hours to get an unfill. As a cash patient, I was really hoping to take advantage of his alleged "24 hour FREE return visit for complications" but he said since it was a Saturday I still had to pay $200. He also said "If I called a plumber after hours it would cost $200 n hour, if I called an attorney it would be $350 an hour. I thought I was doing you a FAVOR."
~When I make appointments with him he refuses to see me 2 doors over in his practices office for $200, but forces me to make my appointments in the office that he shares with the hospital for an additional $126 a visit.
Lastly, on one occasion when I asked him if he thought I should have more of a fill due to non restriction, he unfilled me then refilled me to almost maximum capacity. I was sweating and bubbling and gagging and he kept making me drink Water to show me what "too much fill" was.
I hate this man but so far have not been able to find anyone else who will take a cash patient for just fills. (I got divorced and lost my health insurance) but PLEASE do not subject yourself to this horrible, maybe evil ass of a human being. My whole lapband experience has been hell, and Im trapped. Don't be like me!!!

I posted this under "My story" but maybe this will save someone searching for a surgeon some misery if they read this here first.
Unfortunately, I have Dr Milton Owens as my Dr at Chapman Medical Center in Orange, CA. He NEVER remembers who I am OR my history, he is rude and downright mean. I also think he is a sadist who wants to make me suffer for asking legitimate questions about my healthcare. He is dismissive, arrogant etc. Some examples of screwed up things he has said/done:
~Once I cheated (post op) and ate doritos and I was very afraid that I would tear something or who knows what. I called to ask for advice (i.e. to throw up, slam Water...whatever) He said "If you are going to eat doritos why did you bother having the surgery?"
~I asked for a SECOND fill because I was having ZERO restriction, was always hungry and had waited 2 weeks already. He said, "Whats wrong with being hungry? You are not starving. The average person could survive on their fat stores for about a month, for you it would be even longer."
~I got an OVERFILL from him once and was in so much misery I called within 24 hours to get an unfill. As a cash patient, I was really hoping to take advantage of his alleged "24 hour FREE return visit for complications" but he said since it was a Saturday I still had to pay $200. He also said "If I called a plumber after hours it would cost $200 n hour, if I called an attorney it would be $350 an hour. I thought I was doing you a FAVOR."
~When I make appointments with him he refuses to see me 2 doors over in his practices office for $200, but forces me to make my appointments in the office that he shares with the hospital for an additional $126 a visit.
Lastly, on one occasion when I asked him if he thought I should have more of a fill due to non restriction, he unfilled me then refilled me to almost maximum capacity. I was sweating and bubbling and gagging and he kept making me drink Water to show me what "too much fill" was.
I hate this man but so far have not been able to find anyone else who will take a cash patient for just fills. (I got divorced and lost my health insurance) but PLEASE do not subject yourself to this horrible, maybe evil ass of a human being. My whole lapband experience has been hell, and Im trapped. Don't be like me!!!

I posted this under "My story" but maybe this will save someone searching for a surgeon some misery if they read this here first.
Unfortunately, I have Dr Milton Owens as my Dr at Chapman Medical Center in Orange, CA. He NEVER remembers who I am OR my history, he is rude and downright mean. I also think he is a sadist who wants to make me suffer for asking legitimate questions about my healthcare. He is dismissive, arrogant etc. Some examples of screwed up things he has said/done:
~Once I cheated (post op) and ate doritos and I was very afraid that I would tear something or who knows what. I called to ask for advice (i.e. to throw up, slam Water...whatever) He said "If you are going to eat doritos why did you bother having the surgery?"
~I asked for a SECOND fill because I was having ZERO restriction, was always hungry and had waited 2 weeks already. He said, "Whats wrong with being hungry? You are not starving. The average person could survive on their fat stores for about a month, for you it would be even longer."
~I got an OVERFILL from him once and was in so much misery I called within 24 hours to get an unfill. As a cash patient, I was really hoping to take advantage of his alleged "24 hour FREE return visit for complications" but he said since it was a Saturday I still had to pay $200. He also said "If I called a plumber after hours it would cost $200 n hour, if I called an attorney it would be $350 an hour. I thought I was doing you a FAVOR."
~When I make appointments with him he refuses to see me 2 doors over in his practices office for $200, but forces me to make my appointments in the office that he shares with the hospital for an additional $126 a visit.
Lastly, on one occasion when I asked him if he thought I should have more of a fill due to non restriction, he unfilled me then refilled me to almost maximum capacity. I was sweating and bubbling and gagging and he kept making me drink Water to show me what "too much fill" was.
I hate this man but so far have not been able to find anyone else who will take a cash patient for just fills. (I got divorced and lost my health insurance) but PLEASE do not subject yourself to this horrible, maybe evil ass of a human being. My whole lapband experience has been hell, and Im trapped. Don't be like me!!!