Lottie

I think you should encourage your wife to attend a seminar or support group with you. Once she really understand the procedure and what's involved she might look at it differently. It's great that you are taking the extra step to try and convince your partner. Most people that don't have a weight problem think you can just push back from the table, eat smaller portions, exercise a bit and lose the weight but it does not work that way. Tell your wife you are going to have the surgery because it will make you feel better about you. Tell her you need her by your side to support you through this challenging time. You want her to excercise with you so that you can grow older together and enjoy life like it's suppose to be with a couple. I wish you much success. I have not been band but I am going through the procedures now. It sure makes it easy to have a supporting spouse. My spouse is not overweight but he has seen what it's done to me. Enjoy your journey. I pray that your wife comes around.

I am just begining this journey. I will be attending a seminar on June 26th. I am not sure if this is the surgeon that I'll be using. I am going to another seminar on July 26th. The first seminar, the surgeon is a M.D. The second seminar the surgeon is a M.D., F.A.C.S. I am not sure how important this is but I am researching this. The M.D. surgeon has only being doing surgery since 2004. He is rather young but I'll wait and see. If you need help in making your mind up this is the best website. Come online and chat with the group. They tell it like it is, the good, not so good and anything else you want to know. Everyone on this site is so nice. This is the best support system if you are just starting your journey or well into it. I am online most times between 9:00-10:00 most nights through the week because my work schedule. I wish you much success.

Congratulations... I am a happy for you. Please keep us updated on your progess. I am just begining and waiting to attend the seminar on June 26th. Follow your doctor's orders and keep in touch with the people on this site because they will be the best support you can find. Everyone here is either going through what you have or waiting to. I've made my mind up to have this surgery but now I have to wait to complete all the procedures. I wish you much success on your journey.

Hi Edie, I haven't seen you online in a while. You look wonderful. I know you are so excited. I cant' wait until the day I can feel and look great. I will be attending a seminar on June 26th. This surgeon has only been doing bariatic surgery since 2004. I am not saying he is not good because I really don't know. I am hoping to make my mind up at the seminar. He is a M.D. The doctor I think I want to do my sugery is a M.D.,F.A.C.S. He performed the lapband surgery on a girl I know. She is doing great. She said she liked that they encourage you to go to the support meeting prior to surgery. She said his staff is so supportive. The M.D. doctor might do the same thing, I don't know anyone that has used him or how many surgeries he has performed. I will be traveling an hour from where I live to have this surgery so there is no one to ask. Do you think I am over re-acting to this M.D. surgeon vs the M.D.;F.A.C.S. surgeon. Tell me what you think.

Congratulations on the beginning of your journey. I am happy to know that everything went well for you. Keep us posted on your progress. I'll be waiting.

HI Natalee, Do you know anyone else that Dr. Cottingham preformed lapband surgery? I read an article in the Birmingham News about him. He is quite young and has been performing surgiers since 2004. Tell me something about him that you like? Do they have support groups for you to attend prior to the surgery? Anything you can tell me, I would appreciate. I am curious as to how many surgeries he has preformed and what type complications.... Thanks in advance... I am excited one minute, scare and nevous the next.

I am going to be at that same seminar on July 26 at Trinity. I was going to Brookwood but after careful research, I've decided to attend the seminar at Trinity. Too bad I don't know who you are or I'd say hello. I'll look for you anyway. I wish you must success.

So what happened? Were you able to have your surgery? Please let us know.l

Where is Medical Center East? How many surgerys has your doctor preformed? I wish you much success on your journey. I am going to have my surgery done in Birmingham also but I am waiting to attend the seminar. I am either going to have it done at Brookwood Medical Center or Trinity. I am just researching the surgeons and seeing who has preformed the most procedures. Let me know how it goes and in my heart, I know you'll do fine.

Hi Keith, I am from Bama also. I am waiting to attend the seminar which is scheduled the end of June. When are you have your band? Which doctor is going to perform the procedure? How many bands has he performed? I am a little nervous and have a list of questions to ask before getting to that point. I am excited, nervous and scared. I want to be band so badly because I've struggled with my weight for most of my life but at the same time, I want to make sure this is the right decision. I've really researched this and talked it over with my primary doctor and he agrees, this is a good thing for me. I wish you the best and hope to see you online sometimes. This is one of the best support groups you'll find. There are some really nice and supportive people on this website. We all are taking this journey and want to be successful. Let us know how it goes. Have a great journey... -Lottie