54Shirley

I was told by my surgeon, and physical therapist that exercise (LIKE POLATISE) is the only thing that works. Provided that you have not already lost the elasticity in your skin. Usually in us older people.

Once you are banded, either don't chew gum, and try tic tacs instead. Also ask your surgeon about it.

Mine is done that way. Any questions??? Let me know. Almost 5 yrs. and no slippage at all. Shirley.

First of all your Surgeon will tell you how many calories a day he wants you to eat, this is for life. He will also tell you to exercise, this to is for life. If you listen to your surgeon you won't fail ! You will be a success story instead. Right now, it's a case of nerves getting in there, and a lot of what if's.... Do your research, talk to the people, talk to your Dr., find out information that you need answers to. Also if it does not work, it's removable. But I don't see that happening... Once you start losing weight, your going to love it. Just learn from the people that have been here and done that, and the professionals. So pay good attention, and learn, because it's a everyday learning experience. Shirley.

I went to my PCP the other day, and she was impressed with the WL. She said "CAN I SEE YOUR PORT?' She couldn't find it... It has all faded so much that I was looking for it, then found it for her to see. Almost 5 yrs. since surgery, and you can barely see it. I would say easily about 90% vanished.

That is FANTASTIC ! It just shows that, even though it's harder for us to lose weight,,,, it can still be done.... A big congrats ! again. Shirley.

Yes ! big time,,, the weather will affectect the band, so will stress, like argueing. If you can,,, stay on liquids for a couple days, so you don't swell up. Rule is 3days liquid, 1 day mushies, then try food. (THIS IS ANYTIME THEY ADJUST YOUR BAND.)

Do me a favor..... On the pre band page, you will find my Journal #s 1,2, and 3. This is my true story of myself. Now do to a Dr.'s mistake (NOTHING MAJOR) it cost me almost all the weight. So now,, I'll do it again ! I have a new Surgeon, who was his student, but moved into Northern, Michigan from Detroit. He's a nice guy. Anyway take a look at them in order, and let me know what you think. Shirley.

Have you ever had it checked under Fluoroscope? This way they will take a look at it, and you will see it to. They can tell you if anything is wrong with the Band, and get you right at your fill line, while they watch it going in, and see where to stop, Results a perfect fill. In time maybe a little tweak, but before you go under the knife, maybe you can have this done, and you will know if it's not good, or needs complete adjustment.. It is painless, so you know. It's worth the shot.

I have 5 Holes for the rods, and 1 incision about 1 1/2 inches long for the Port.

You got it Band Sister.

That works to !

Hear, Hear! You tell them no matter who they are... It's your life.

I was Banded at HENRY FORD HOSPITAL. Center of Excellence in Bariatrics. Detroit, Michigan. By the Chief Surgeon. The only one to ever touched me. was my Surgeon.

I'm not African American, but I know a leader when I hear one. You even said it yourself. Be Glad you are Unique. Smart, Different, then the average person. You reach out and get what you want. That comes with a price. It's like working for a Boss. You have your Leaders, and followers. The reason you feel like a Island, is because you are in a league, that is all by itself ! That is a excellent thing, and you should be proud of yourself. Don't be Bummed out, because you have Talent ! Trust me,,,,, it takes one to know one... Yes I have felt that way before, but only because I know I'm different. It's a good thing, so I don't let it get me down. My race was very hard on me about WLS. but,, I said you have not walked in my shoes, and you don't even know me. So what gives you the wright to Judge me. They backed of. So now I tell no one. People in General are Phony ! So why waist my time. You can see the Island in those last sentences, but they are true. So I hold my head high, and just keep plugging along. If they don't like it. To H*ll with them. Don't take a back seat, and be proud of yourself. Shirley.

Now there is a very HAPPY ENDING, to a old story. WELCOME TO BANDLAND !

When I went back to work, the other knee started dropping on me. So I told him about it, and the next thing I new I was going in for pre op testing. He replaced the other knee.

Just Remember this: If you go with the band, and for some reason you are not happy. You could always change to the sleeve. If you have 25' of intestines removed, and your insides altered ! There is no going back at all. Keep that in Mind.

Welcome to BANDLAND !

If you read that journal,,,, you will see that total weight loss is well over 150lbs... Not 60-80lbs...

I put my journal on this site there's 3 parts to it, and yes the weight can come off. The average is 2lbs a week x 52 weeks you do the math. But check out that journal.

GA_googleFillSlot("LBT-TextAd05");I'm getting "Nervous" Options 22 October 2006 Posted by sstasevich I get my Band on 10/31/06. I have to admit,,, I'm getting nervous. I've got all these people telling me "Shirley don't do it! Youv'e already lost a lot of weight!" Like I don't no this wright??? Anyway they are telling me about how many people they no that have had this done, and they are forever sick. "My guess is By-Pass Surgery" They just don't no the difference. I'm told I wil never eat again. I no I plan too! I no it won't be much, but,, I still plan to eat someday. If some one out there wants to get back to me, and give me some pointers or tips. I would really appreciate it. Because I have all ready bought my Protien Drinks, I've watched a tape on the Procedure, I'm going for my Pre-Op visit Wednesday,Whew, I'm trying to get all my ducks in a row as they say. But,,, somehow my head is getting spun around So please get back. I'm in Michigan my highest weight was 356, now 239 that's on 1200 calorie diet it works!!! My Surgeon is Jeffrey Genaw. Out of Henry Ford Hospital.

2nd. Surgery. Options <LI style="Z-INDEX: 10000">Make This Entry A Draft <LI style="Z-INDEX: 10000">Lock Entry <LI style="Z-INDEX: 10000">Delete Entry <LI style="Z-INDEX: 10000">Edit EntrySend Trackback30 January 2007 Posted by sstasevich Todays date 01/30/07. Just adding some info to my journal. As of today I way 210, so I have lost 146Lbs., so far. Still a long way to go. I would like to see about 135; but if I end up settleing for a little more, I'll take it. But I will still try to go lower. I am also in a size 18, some cloths are 16, but that's rare so ,I'm not counting that, just putting it in the computer. On 02/05/07 I go in the Hospital again. This time for a Total Knee Replacement. This is surgery #2 in a 2 part surgery. First was the Lap Band,and it turned out great. I got more thean I bargained for though. So did Dr. Jeffrey Genaw "Genious at work!" He had me on the table from 11:30 A.M. - 4:30 P.M., thats a long time. Especially when the band takes about 30 minutes.#1. He froze 1 Lymph Node, pulled it out, Bi-Opseyed it, and it came back normal, "CANCER HE WOULD HAVE CLOSED ME UP" then did the same to the other one, again normal. "Thank God!!!" These were located in the Groin, so you can only imagine the pain. #2. Old Scar Tissue Removal, From Gallbladder, exploratory surgery, and Hernia Repair. #3. Hernia Repair "He dug it out!" "ouch". #4. Last but not least, he put in the Lap Band. "finally"! And I just love it! I've lost 22Lbs since 10/31/06. But I'll take it. I spent the night in the hospital, and went home the next day. I no longer have to take Prevacid, I take Pepcid Complete, and Flintstone Chewables Complete/Choline. So I get my vitamins, calcium, and won't have a problem with Acid- Reflex any more. My Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Denniss Kelly told me that unless I lost weight threw surgery, that he would never touch me. To high of a risk, and the knee would never last. That was 10/05. I saw him 11/06 He said "Hy Skinney" I said not yet, but i'm working on it. I asked him about my knee? He said youre gonna get one, youv'e done everything we asked, so lets get some x-rays. He told me the knee was gone, and he doesn't understand how I am even walking? Trust me very carefully! So he said lets pencil in a date. I chose 2 dates, had to see what was gonna be best for the hussband. "time off, etc." I decided on February 5th. 2007. That's 6 day's from today; I'll be glad when it's done.

21 March 2007 Posted by sstasevich Well: I went to my surgeon's office today, and still no fill. He asked me if chicken breast, or bread was hard to swallow? I said yes. Well,,, that changed everything. He see's a 6lb. loss in 7 weeks. He only want's a pound a week that's it! A pound and a half is to much. So calculateing, surgery probably put weight on or held the same, and the knee is 1/2lb. more, then your original knee. Sooo,, in his eyes I am rite in there. I thought I was going to hit the floor. He told me "This is a very slow go, and you already took out 1/2 of the 50lbs. that you are entitled to for a year!, What else do you want?"Welll???,,, I hate to admit it, but he is very much on target I weighed 231 at surgery, 204 today=27lbs. in 5 months. Maybe under 200lbs. in another month . I just have to keep plugin along, and I guess I will. I'm in this for the long haul. So far I have lost 152lbs. since I started my journey. Shirley... 03/21/07. I'm loseing my patients, I want to see under 200lbs... __________________ Banded 10/31/06 356/231/135 I hope. Surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Genaw