Having been around this site for the past couple of years it has proven to be a great source of motivation for me as I have learned to live with my band. As with many public forums it is comprised with many different personalities and people from all walks of life. But we all have one thing in common... we are fat people wanting to be thin and have found a tool which will help us achieve this goal.

This forum was a great support for me but I never needed it to lose weight. My Dr told me how to do that and I drew from my own motivation the willpower to make it happen.

Some of us are seeking info or just starting out, others are well on their way and many have been successful and want to give back to the band community they way someone gave to them at one time. I fall into the latter catagory. Although I am a pound from my original goal and 11 from my "stretch" goal I am pretty much done with the journey and am now just living my life as a thin person.

But I am still here for several reasons... I enjoy seeing all the excitement and energy of new bandsters. I have been successful and I want to help others make this work for them as I have done...even tho I am not one to coddle or spoon feed.... Additionally I too still have questions about different things and its a great place get honest answers.

But here is where my concern lies... It seems recently I have seen people struggling with all sorts of topics from pre op cheating, eating solids too soon after surgery or being in need of a fill and embarrassed to go to the Dr because they are up a lb or 2..

So it makes me wonder.... are some of the Doctors out there just sub par? Seriously.... while I used this forum alot... I leaned on my Dr for most of my information and instruction. He is wonderful. His staff is effective but of course I was ultimatly responsible for making it happen. Are most Drs like this or are they just there to give you the band and send you on your way? Or on the other hand is it that people think this is some miracle cure and you will be successful with little or no effort? Then when its doesnt work or they struggle the blame gets placed back on the Dr?

I was just curious to hear your take....

I cant say enough good things about my dr and his staff. Everyone there is great. I see my dr once a month and if I need a fill between then the nurse does those on certain days and I can go see her. Anytime I have a question I can usually talk with a nurse right then. Especially in the beginning when I was nauseated alot. I am so glad I went with this group and would. I saw my Dr last Thursday and he acted so proud of my weight loss. He shook my hand and told me I was loosing beautifully. I have several friends who are nurses at the hospital where he practices and they love him. That says a lot when the nurse sees the real him and love him. I couldnt get or ask for a better dr.

I do use this site to get information and to ask questions but I dont rely on it completely. I think and hope people are asking questions just to see what others think or fill. I see some people on here asking questions when their drs office is closed and people acting so rude to them for asking. I think they are just wanting some reassurance until the office opens.

What I love the most:

2 years free fills

Anything goes wrong in two years, surgery 100% paid

Full gym membership for $20 a month with the Doctor three times a week plus

Zumba classes

Each fill you see a nurse, a nutritionist, plus the doctor

They offer different monthly classes, like scrap booking before and after results.

We get emails directly from the doctor with great healthy recipes twice a week.

These are just a few things that makes Dr. Curry and his staff wonderful and very caring.

I don't think people are rude or mean to be. The problem is not all doctors have the same plans and guidelines. We don't want to give information that might be different. Its great to get support and advice but ultimately you have to answer to your doctor.

I do use this site to get information and to ask questions but I dont rely on it completely. I think and hope people are asking questions just to see what others think or fill. I see some people on here asking questions when their drs office is closed and people acting so rude to them for asking. I think they are just wanting some reassurance until the office opens.

I think that's accurate some of the time but we have all read the posts from people who really don't seem to have a clue which I find very sad and concerning... So I wondered if it was because the dr put out the advice and they just aren't following it or the advice and support just isn't there. From what I am reading most successful people stay close to their dr and staff throughout their journey. Granted the exceptions are there but it seems those who fail have less monthly contact. Just my observations and certainly not based on any scientific study.

My doc and all of the staff are so nice and there to help!! My doctor has had lap band for 10 years. I had my post op appointment where I saw 2 nurses. As I was leaving my doc saw my husband and asked how I was doing. So I turned the corner and said I was doing great and he high fives me and have me a hug and said I'm so happy to hear that!! They explain everything so well and are there to answer any questions I have. I'm pretty sure my doc does my first fill and I have to do a class before, then nurses do fills after that. They do group meetings every Tuesday. I'm self pay and I get all first year fills with the $9,900 for surgery. I'm happy as could be with my Doctor!!!

What I love the most:

2 years free fills

Anything goes wrong in two years, surgery 100% paid

Full gym membership for $20 a month with the Doctor three times a week plus

Zumba classes

Each fill you see a nurse, a nutritionist, plus the doctor

They offer different monthly classes, like scrap booking before and after results.

We get emails directly from the doctor with great healthy recipes twice a week.

These are just a few things that makes Dr. Curry and his staff wonderful and very caring.

Wow! That's great...sounds like you picked a great Dr...I would love to have all that! Our local gym, costs $110 per month...that's their way of taking advantage of being the only outfit in town. It's ridiculous.