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Well Hello,

I am losin and lovin and that is what I am doing. I ma going to be 52 next month. So far I have gone from a size 28 to a 16/18. I recently had a set back because of stress from a divorce. I am back on track and ready to move forward. I would like to be further along my but surgeon says life happens and when it does it takes a toll on every part of your bodies including our band. IT DID!!! I have been banded for coming up to 2 years. My wonderful surgeon was (and is) Richard Collier in Conroe Texas. I would highly recommend him. If you are not in that area and are looking for a surgeon I can recommend going to local hospitals and ask around to see who has the best care. I asked who the nurses liked to work with, what the nurses thought of the doctors bed side manners and after care. I was not only told who to go to but who not to go to. Once in the wiating area for surgery nurses were discussing who was going in next and for what and what needed to be done to prep them. The common comment was "That is Collier's, she needs nothing from us". When I quesitoned why, they all assured me he is the best prepared and the best at preparing his patients. So research your surgeon. Visit with him several times before the procedure. I got the best and after all this time, he and his staff are so extremely helpful. I have been very active as a motivator on another site Journey Lite, however it has gone to just three or four of us that will comment. Many will view not many will comment. So I am looking for some action so to speak. I love my band and what it has given to me and I love to share it with people so if you have ANY questions, I will be happy to chat with you. It has changed my life, my health and my personality. All in good ways. I also write a weekly motivational email for a Weight Watchers group at work. I am not a member, but I am the coordinator. I will encourage anyone with a need to lose weight. If I can say something to help them on their journey I will. I would love to help people before they get to the point I did where surgery was my only option. I will warn you, I am wordy when it comes to things I believe in and I do believe in the lap band. I also am writing a book about my journey, so some of what I will post will be from that as well. So this is me, I am glad to make some new friends. I will be a faithful poster and responder so let's get started.

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Your story sounds great. I heard about other people who failed with lap band. I decided to do it and I am so scared but happy at the same time. I really need this to be done, well as all of us, I have Dr appt tomorrow just the first appt....... hope this will done soon. I heard about gastric plication surgery and I am very interested but I dont think the dr I will see can do it. I heard very good comments about this dr, it is in Raleigh NC but I dont have nobody who have it done there...... I really need help and support, hope we can talk about it. Thanks a lot.

Well Hello,

I am losin and lovin and that is what I am doing. I ma going to be 52 next month. So far I have gone from a size 28 to a 16/18. I recently had a set back because of stress from a divorce. I am back on track and ready to move forward. I would like to be further along my but surgeon says life happens and when it does it takes a toll on every part of your bodies including our band. IT DID!!! I have been banded for coming up to 2 years. My wonderful surgeon was (and is) Richard Collier in Conroe Texas. I would highly recommend him. If you are not in that area and are looking for a surgeon I can recommend going to local hospitals and ask around to see who has the best care. I asked who the nurses liked to work with, what the nurses thought of the doctors bed side manners and after care. I was not only told who to go to but who not to go to. Once in the wiating area for surgery nurses were discussing who was going in next and for what and what needed to be done to prep them. The common comment was "That is Collier's, she needs nothing from us". When I quesitoned why, they all assured me he is the best prepared and the best at preparing his patients. So research your surgeon. Visit with him several times before the procedure. I got the best and after all this time, he and his staff are so extremely helpful. I have been very active as a motivator on another site Journey Lite, however it has gone to just three or four of us that will comment. Many will view not many will comment. So I am looking for some action so to speak. I love my band and what it has given to me and I love to share it with people so if you have ANY questions, I will be happy to chat with you. It has changed my life, my health and my personality. All in good ways. I also write a weekly motivational email for a Weight Watchers group at work. I am not a member, but I am the coordinator. I will encourage anyone with a need to lose weight. If I can say something to help them on their journey I will. I would love to help people before they get to the point I did where surgery was my only option. I will warn you, I am wordy when it comes to things I believe in and I do believe in the lap band. I also am writing a book about my journey, so some of what I will post will be from that as well. So this is me, I am glad to make some new friends. I will be a faithful poster and responder so let's get started.

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I don't think there's alot that post here either. I placed a few post here and got alot of viewer but no reply...Kinda suxs....I'm having my lap band on May 3rd am on my pre op diet, no clue of am doing it right.....My Dr. is Richard Wilkenfield in the Woodlands TX. He seems very nice. Well welcome back losin and lovin....

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Hey good luck with the procedure. Wow taht is soon, and I am sure you are excited. Please feel free to ask any questions. It is the best decision you can make. Before my suregery I read everything on these type message boards I could find. There is only so much your doctor can tell you. These are a wealth of great information. Please post once you are able after surgery. You will have tons of questions so ask away. My surgery and the days following were nothing compared to what I imagined it would be. What are your concerns about the pre-op diet.

What hospital will you have the procedure done in? My doctor was Richard Collier in Conroe and he was awesome and the hospital staff loved him. I am sure your procedure will go well. I am so grateful this is not major surgery and so much easier to get over. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help ease concerns or answer questions. I do NOT know it all, but I know about mine.

I hope to hear from you soon.

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People tend to forget this is just a tool, but one that will work. I have two family members that did not stick with the band. It does require follow up, it does require effort. It is not magic and you have to work at it. But that said, if you do those things, IT IS SO WORTH IT. I will never forget walking out of my first meeting and thinking THERE IS HOPE STILL. I thought it was to late, I was to far gone, I could not do it with any Weight Loss Programs (I tired most of them out there). it was seeing the Lap Band as my hope that continues to give me the determination I need to go on. I strongly suggest to every one that before surgery take your measuerments. The times that you may not lose a lot of pounds, the inches are dropping off, so take and monitor your measurements. I measure 1 time a month and I have a log that I am keeping. I write if I had a bad month or good month and why. I usually always know if I did not lose much the reason for it. Follow the doctors orders to a T and you will be thrilled with your decision to do this.

I wish you tons of luck and please let me know what I can do to help.

I am so grateful for the help I had on message boards that I am committed to help others. So I am here and I will only tell you what I know to be true for my journey. SO LET'S DO THIS!!

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Well Hello,

I am losin and lovin and that is what I am doing. I ma going to be 52 next month. So far I have gone from a size 28 to a 16/18. I recently had a set back because of stress from a divorce. I am back on track and ready to move forward. I would like to be further along my but surgeon says life happens and when it does it takes a toll on every part of your bodies including our band. IT DID!!! I have been banded for coming up to 2 years. My wonderful surgeon was (and is) Richard Collier in Conroe Texas. I would highly recommend him. If you are not in that area and are looking for a surgeon I can recommend going to local hospitals and ask around to see who has the best care. I asked who the nurses liked to work with, what the nurses thought of the doctors bed side manners and after care. I was not only told who to go to but who not to go to. Once in the wiating area for surgery nurses were discussing who was going in next and for what and what needed to be done to prep them. The common comment was "That is Collier's, she needs nothing from us". When I quesitoned why, they all assured me he is the best prepared and the best at preparing his patients. So research your surgeon. Visit with him several times before the procedure. I got the best and after all this time, he and his staff are so extremely helpful. I have been very active as a motivator on another site Journey Lite, however it has gone to just three or four of us that will comment. Many will view not many will comment. So I am looking for some action so to speak. I love my band and what it has given to me and I love to share it with people so if you have ANY questions, I will be happy to chat with you. It has changed my life, my health and my personality. All in good ways. I also write a weekly motivational email for a Weight Watchers group at work. I am not a member, but I am the coordinator. I will encourage anyone with a need to lose weight. If I can say something to help them on their journey I will. I would love to help people before they get to the point I did where surgery was my only option. I will warn you, I am wordy when it comes to things I believe in and I do believe in the lap band. I also am writing a book about my journey, so some of what I will post will be from that as well. So this is me, I am glad to make some new friends. I will be a faithful poster and responder so let's get started.

i need all the help that i can get.i had an unfill a week ago and had to have a fluro upper gi.now i have to wai 2-3 weeks to get a fill this is going to be so hard

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    • Doughgurl

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    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

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      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

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