"with the band"

I had surgery in Ohio with Dr. Duckett and Dr. Oweiss. They are truly wonderful. They have a monthly info seminar at St. Lukes in the Auditorium at 7:00 pm on the second monday every month. You should check it out. They are considered the best in the area from what I found out during my research of the lap band. Good Luck to you. nancy

welcome to bandland. This is a great site with a bunch of great people that are ready to share their band experience. Any questions - this is the place.....if we don't know - someone will surely try to find out to get you an answer. These people are really great. Happy Banded New Year to you!!! Nancy

Never - never - work somewhere that makes you feel the way you felt when you opened that letter. A man who tries to yield power by being tyrannical is not someone you want to spend most of your waking hours with in the first place. I learned years ago to work for myself - and trust God - not my misplaced security in kissing my evil boss's behind and jumping high to miss his below the belt blows to myself and everyone in his path. Taking the letter wasn't cool - examine why you did and you will look for another job no matter what it takes. take care - nancy

Never - never - work somewhere that makes you feel the way you felt when you opened that letter. A man who tries to yield power by being tyrannical is not someone you want to spend most of your waking hours with in the first place. I learned years ago to work for myself - and trust God - not my misplaced security in kissing my evil boss's behind and jumping high to miss his below the belt blows to myself and everyone in his path. Taking the letter wasn't cool - examine why you did and you will look for another job no matter what it takes. take care - nancy

cmr - I agree - I also come here once (or twice) a day and feel a great comfort knowing that I can reach out if I want to - if I have a question or a concern I can put it out there..... The site gives me great comfort when there is no one else around who can understand the crazy questions and things that might come up in my mind through out the day regarding "my band".

I know we have mostly found out by now that the road to Lap Band Success is paved with confusion, elation, depression, and unrealistic realities all around us. I have found a slight indifference to the facts that I now know.... 1.) The lap band is only a "TOOL" 2.) The lap band must be used in accordance to wise rules taught to us by our nutritionists and surgeons. 3.) The lap band comes with many possible pitfalls, dangers, and constant worry about "what if's". 4.) The lap band brings "HOPE" 5.) The lap band requires EXERCISE in order to work together with the weight loss to tone the body and skin. 6.) The lap band is slow - but it can be sure if we follow the rules. 7.) The lap band is a wonderful way to understand the depth of human suffering that we all share as members of the Overweight Human Being Club. 8.) The lap band site - has been a lifesaver and calming force over this past few months of my lap band journey - without it I would probably be crazed by now. What are your resolutions.....toward your lap band. Mine is simply - Remember to eat slow, chew well, take small bites and prepare healthy meals. then........ EXERCISE>>>>>>>>> There is no alternative for me. Happy New Years Everyone - Take care and I wish you all much success and the knowledge that we all care about each other on this journey that we share. God Bless - Nancy

So sorry she felt that way. To be honest - there are alot more good stories for her to read than what has been going on here lately. Tell her to look through the posts of before and after pics and realize that many many people are not posting because they are healed, happy and moving on with their lives now that they are free from the overweight issues that have plaqued them. I have more positives than negatives and I am sure many have also. take care - nancy

I resolve to Exercise. I am going to make a real effort to be a more loving understanding human being. I am going to take time to appreciate life.

I am right with you all.....sign me IN. I really need this. Nancy

Lisa - I hope you find a resolution to your Quest to lose weight. I know you started this journey with only that in mind. Thank God you are OK and I will be praying for you to find a way to battle the weight that works for you. It makes me sad for you.....I know what it is like to struggle and still be knocked down. Take care - nancy

Geez - all the surgeons are different. I was literally so scared to eat it took me almost two months to put a half way normal bite of food into my mouth. Please take care and take it easy.... Some people from my support group have talked about jumping up and down to get something unstuck....sounds silly but they swore it worked for them. Nancy

Delarla - Lisa - Please please call the doc.....infections like this can be very dangerous ...... It just doesn't sound "ok" Please take care and call the doc.

I was also denied surgery until I completed Pschy Counseling because I tested Severly depressed when I went for my evaluation. I told them - no one could ever fix me and that was just my creative temperment that is jaded and cynical.....after three or four meetings I had convinced (snowballed) the therapist and she sent me an OK to my surgeon. Not so depressed that I couldn't fake it long enough to achieve success. Dumbells.......this is who we have to go to for help???? Please......

Jack - my sister also was 300+ lbs. and had the deudonal switch WLS. She also is suffering from the list of problems you mentioned your brother has suffered with. I would prefer the SLOWWWWW Band anyday. I know exercise (novel idea) would help me immensly right now - and my new years resolution is to stick to it for my own good. Take care - nancy

Question - If your surgery was on the 8th of Dec. - how are you on bacon already - I was on liquids for two weeks, mushies for two weeks and then gradually to soft foods for two weeks - Bacon was not an option. My surgeon would have "kicked my butt" if I had eaten things like this - he really made us promise not to mess with the after surgery diet - he insisted that we had to follow this in order to be safe......I was so scared I wouldn't buck they system...... Please - Please call your surgeon as I have heard at my support meetings that they sometimes have to go in and unfill people to get them unstuck. Since you have had no fill - I would try sipping on warm liquids like some tea with honey and lemon.....maybe that will help get you unstuck. Please take care and let us know how you are doing.

Penni - I will be praying for you to be strong - i would be scared knowing how I have overeaten in the past. Did insurance pay for your first surgery? I will be thinking about you and hoping that you remain strong.

Penni - do they allow you to ever be rebanded after an erosion? Where were you at in your plan of weight loss?

My sister Karen had the surgery over 5 years ago and she has lost over 300 lbs. It is a very drastic surgery and even though she has lost lots of weight - the malabsorption issues still plague her and she has developed high glycemic problems because she could eat tons of sugar based and carb based things without gaining weight - but it put her sugar out of whack and now she has to watch all of those things. Excess skin has also been a huge issue for her and I know that even though she looks great - she is still bothered by the whole skin thing. DS is great as it does not allow the person to gain weight back - but I am sure that I wanted to try the lapband over that when I researched it for myself. Take care - Nancy

Penni - I would love that. I am coming to LA for a day in APril before our cruise to Hawaii. Where is Van Nuys? I used to live in California but still don't know much about where all the cities are. Nancy

gee Penni - that is so cool. I am so interested in that kind of stuff because I write lyrics. Need to meet you and your husband sometime - I'm from Ohio - are you nearby? Nancy

I would do it all over again although I admit this site and the reported numerous problems make me worry constantly. I try to realize this a very large site and that it is not everyone. Overall I have lost about 53 lbs. since July 5th and that makes me very happy. I don't like worry and the band does worry me. I try to get my body to accept the band and I try to work with the band. I went for reflexology the other day as my foot has been hurting me right in the spot on the left foot that is connected to the stomach/waistline area - I felt like my body was reacting to having the band inside of me and I figured this was the best fix. I am happy to report that my foot feels much better now and I will definitely go back a couple more times to help my band and my body accept each other. I also wish I had this band option years ago before my body was so badly damaged by the weight I carried. Oh - well - I have it now..... Celebrating my 47th birthday on Monday and I am looking forward to the rest of my life - With the Band...... Take Care - Nancy

Lisa - I feel so sorry for you and all this anxiety. I am praying that you get to the bottom of this and that it will be ok. Don't let them tell you - keep on pushing - it's your body. Let us know how it goes with the endo. Nancy

I like the Breton Whole Grain Mini Crackers - they are low cal - full of protein (yes- protein) and they are great.

very serene and beautiful - thanks Penni - merry christmas to you all.

EMOTIONAL!!! To say the least. Everything affected me, freaked me out, tore me up, and then after surgery I had a total melt down upon coming home. Way, way toooooo much emotion. Whew!!!! Glad that's over. This will pass for you also. I guess it is to be expected. Look at what we are embarking on. I think it takes a lot of courage and bravery to do what we do - emotionaly we think it's all just a positive - but in some ways it is a private sadness. It will get better.....I promise. Take care - nancy