Ok, I'll admit it. I have been obsessed with the thoughts that I'm eroded, or that I have a slipped band, or a flipped port, or an infection or pouch dilitation or any number of things that I've read here.

I'm one of the ones who emailed Dr. Pleatman about whether I should have an endo or not. This is crazy! Every twinge and ache I get makes me paranoid. I feel like the people must have felt during the cold war- always afraid the bomb is going to drop.

This is how it is for me- I have a band. It "appears" to be working properly. I DO have reflux, and thankfully I work in an outpatient surgery dept. with some excellent drs. and I'm taking the advice of one I spoke with today. I'm cutting out the caffiene, greasy and spicy food. I'm going to drink more Water and treat the reflux for what it is- reflux. And not treat it as if I have a damaged band. If the reflux doesn't go away with dietary changes, then I'll try a med of some sort. If that doesn't work then I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. I agree with Dr. Pleatman- if there is a problem, then I have time to sort it out when and IF the time comes.

If I were told today that I had 60 days left with this band- I could work with it and get as many lbs. (or ounces-whatever it may come to) until the day came that I had to say goodbye to my band, or I could sit around and worry, fret, stew and storm for the entire 60 days and not take advantage of the time I had left with it.

I'm choosing to live like I have the time to use it.........I may get hate mail for my attitude. That's ok. I can't sit and worry about this anymore. This site used to be a place for me to go for reference and advice. Now I feel like it's just to find the evidence for everyone that ever disagreed with me about getting my band to say "HA! I told you so!"

Pati, we'll miss you and hope you have a nice break! It's a good idea and I'm sure more than a few other people will read your post, recognize themselves, and say "hey, that sounds like a good idea!"

Looking forward to seeing you back here soon with a totally UNparanoid outlook. Enjoy!! :couch2:

Hate Mail?! Nah!!!!!!!! Do what you gotta do. Your attitude sounds perfectly reasonable and intelligent to me. Take that break. Just don't forget about us! Looking forward to your return and an update on your band journey. You go girl!!! Just come back, 'kay?

Like a lot of internet forums, sometimes people post here when they've had bad experiences - if you read all the posts you could get a very negative view of WLS. I don't blame you for taking some time out.

Wise decisions by wise people are always good to see.

I get in the same boat sometime. I'll watch Discovery on TV and sit there and convince myself I have ever sympton they discribe and When the show is over I know I'm going to die soon. :faint: Once gave the Emergency Room staff a good laugh when I showed up believing I was the victim of a medical condition that only women can have...:couch2:

Paranoia can run deep....But it is cureable.

Good luck and get back soon

Hey, Pati, what you're saying makes sense. Sure, it's important for everyone to know about the potential complications, and it's critical that people who suffer those complications have a place to express themselves and find support, including from those of us lucky souls who don't (yet) have trouble. But if you find yourself wasting precious time obsessing about everything that could go wrong, it's definintely time for a break! Good luck, and please check in later.

Hijack: Greg, fellow Aug. 2004 bandster, it's good to see ya!

I did the same thing... you can make yourself go crazy sometimes with all these posts!