I have updated my journal - use the drop down link and go to page 17 for the most recent entry. As always, I would welcome your comments.

http://www.webspawner.com/users/juliesjournal

Julie B

Julie , congratulations on your surgery date. I read your journal and it really touched me. I know of your heartache. I hope that you will be very successful and look forward to reading more of your journal...This board is the only support group I have and its great..Keep us posted with your journey...Janie

Thanks Janie - if you click on the drop down arrow at the bottom of my journal you can check out my updated journal (I'm up to page 17 now). I had my surgery last September so am fast approaching my first bandiversary. I have lost over 80lbs so far ... got a lot more to go but it's going in the right direction and each lb takes me closer to my goal. At last I am able to see a flicker of light where once there was only darkness. It's not been easy and at times I've questioned whether I will ever get there, but I try to take it day at a time.

Thank you for reading my journal and taking the time to reply.

Best wishes

Julie I read more of your journal and the recent writings. You have a talent for writing you should alter your journal a little and make it into a book. I saw your pictures and you are beautiful. I love your haircut.Best wishes on your schooling...Janie

Julie,

I congratulate you on the decision to have the lapband implanted. I haven't read all of your journal, but I do think the writing is good catharsis. I only have one concern and that is that you seriously need to have aftercare at your disposal once you return to the states.

It is very difficult to get another surgeon to see you once you are banded out of the country. I'm sure you've heard this. I have known several people who have run into instances where they need emergent care for band related issues and no one will see them. Please make sure you have a follow up doc in the states. Many of those surgeons abroad helped to train some of the docs in the states and as a consequence some will agree to see their patients. I would ask your French doctor to please help you arrange this prior to being banded.

If you've already done this, then I'm just being a worry wart. I did see that you have a dietician, but she cannot help you in the event of an overfilled band, or slippage or port problems. It is imperative that you have stateside follow up.

I wish you a great experience both in France and once you return home to the real journey of your weight loss.

Best wishes,

Leatha

Thank you Janie - I certainly find writing down how I'm feeling helpful, I find it helps sort stuff out in my head a bit.

Hi Leatha - I live in Scotland, UK so our health service is slightly different than in the states. I agree that it is imperative that we arrange for a support network prior to surgery. I did that before I had my surgery and am in contact with a surgeon closer to home who I can contact with any queries/worries/further treatment, although I do have the option to return to Lyon which is only a couple of hours away from the UK.

I'm approaching my first bandiversary and so far I haven't had any band problems, but it is something that I am very aware of. I agree whole heartedly that anyone contemplating surgery make sure that they have the aftercare in place pre surgery. Although we all focus on our surgery date, it is actually the work we do afterwards that is the most important as regards achieving optimum health and weight loss. I also believe that it is important that we address the psychological aspect of our obesity if we are to maintain permanent weight loss.

I think potential band problems such as slippage, band erosion is something that most bandsters dread. If I was unable to have another band placed or have the problem fixed surgically I just don't know what I would do. The band would still be my surgery of choice, and if that option was out of the equation I would find it virtually impossible to come to terms with the thought of undergoing an alternative surgery. My long term goal is to have worked through my issues with food/the psychological issues enough that I could at least maintain my weight without any surgical intervention. I'm a long, long way off being anywhere near that stage currently but I recognise that it isn't a total impossibility and as long as I am able to form independent thought and make my own choices it is in the realms of possibility. I strongly believe that the only limitations we have are the ones we place on ourselves.

It has taken me a long time and a lot of work to acknowledge that I need to take responsibililty for myself and my actions but I think that I will only truly achieve a level of contentment within myself and my weight when I have done so. It is a long, hard slog and I am still fairly early on in thep process, but I think it is worth pursing.

The journey I have chosen to embark on is constantly evolving and sometimes it may feel like the goalposts are forever moving, but if I don't work at it the alternatives are a lot more frightening and frustrating. This is truly work in progress .....

Sending you all positive thoughts.

Originally posted by julie b

The journey I have chosen to embark on is constantly evolving and sometimes it may feel like the goalposts are forever moving, but if I don't work at it the alternatives are a lot more frightening and frustrating. This is truly work in progress .....

Sending you all positive thoughts.

Amen. Very well said. Progress.. not perfection. This is the only way I know how to live.

You're doing great and I intend to sit down and read more of the journal.

Good luck to you on your continued journey!