I won't be back so you don't have to worry about that but on my way out please consider this. I am shocked at the number of persons who have only been banded days giving advice to others. There is even advice from those who are not banded yet.

My Dr. required me to attend a seminar I remember a large man there intrupting the Dr. with questions that were or would be answered if he would just listen. He finished by anouncing to the Dr. and the room that he would be the first there to undergo the surgery because "after all I have folding money" (big laugh) After the Dr. left the room he advised us all to "hit the nearest buffet and eat all we could while we still can".

The point is, if soneone comes on to this forum with a question about living with the band, shouldn't it be answered by those who have learned through experience? Can advice like "I was banded 10 days ago and I can eat pizza" really be helpful? or "I consider the band a saftey net"? Just asking.....

Peace be with you, and here's wishing you all the happiness in life. Alexandra (dislexi)

I also wish you happiness and peace.

I have responded to many questions on here, and I haven't been banded yet. I preface my posts with something like "from the hours of research I've done" or "from what others have said" or "from what I've read on here." I will frequently direct people to another thread (and list the link) so they can go and read for themselves from the wealth of information here. Frankly, the majority of the questions have been answered a hundred times over in the same way, it's not String Theory or Astro-Physics. Some questions are medical in nature, and having been in medicine for a number of years, I am certainly qualified to answer those questions with what I've seen or what I've learned (not intended to override the advice of your physician, of course), whether or not I've been banded.

Just because we may not have been banded yet, or only have been banded for a short time, doesn't mean we don't have information and thoughts to share.

Lots of the questions are about how folks feel in the immdeiate post-operative period or gas pains or what foods at what stages. Who cares if I was banded three days before you, or two days after you, or three years ago, I've been there, maybe I've found something that helped me that will work for you.

This is a place to come and talk and ask questions and bounce ideas off of each other. It's not intended to be like going to your physician and the words of advice and encouragement given here are just that, they are not written in stone. They are not to be taken as medical direction. Most everyone on here says "go by what your physician says."

Some people do eat pizza after ten days, and they probably shouldn't. If someone else takes that as gospel, please pardon me, but they are an idiot. If you have noticed, when someone says that a week in they are eating solid food, most will jump in and ask why and redirect that person to their own doctor's program.

Some folks do consider the band a safety net. Maybe that's why they got it and it works for them. Who am I to say it's wrong how they feel about their band? I can only speak to why *I* want the band and how I will be working to use it as the tool it is.

Sorry to see you go after only 17 posts and two days registered as a member, there's loads of good info and advice and support on here, come back anytime.

I think this forum has been invaluable. You take each piece of advice with a grain of salt, and consider the source. The people who are eating solid foods when they were specifically told not to and don't follow their doctors' advice will most likely fail, while the people that follow the doctor and the advice of people who have been through the banding and have kept the weight off will most likely not. Of course, I could be wrong!

I personally need this forum as my Dr has barely talked to me, and I feel a bit at sea. :cry

Too bad dislexi was a 'drive by poster'. Perhaps if she had had the corage and courtesy to return to read the replies, she might have learned something. The world is full of information. As a mature adult, it is MY respondsibilty to learn all I can from informed sources before making my decisions. I come to this site,,as well as other sites,,to glean from it, using others experiences that might be helpful to me. My surgeon is the one I listen to when it comes to basics. I was given a package of detailed informatin about food, exercise and possible complications. THAT is what I follow. What I get here is moral support,,a place to vent frustratinos and share my experiences in my band journey to date. I believe that everyone who has had the band had it done in a sincere effort to help regain some control over their eating problems. Some people are willing to make changes in their lifestyles,,others are not. I can only 'walk the walk' MY surgeon has shown me is in MY best interest. Like any other support group,,,one tkaes with them what they can use,,and disregards teh rest. I look to the experienced folks who are being sucessful in their weight loss journies for support. I relate to the others who are struggling and try to encourage them and offer suggestions,,usually reminding them to do exactly what their own surgeon advised them to do in order to be sucessful.

If one takes everything one reads on the internet as 'gospel',to me, that reflects a misunderstanding of what the information highway is all about.

Best wishes to everyone here,,

Deb

banded 1/29/07

Dr Ken Cleveland-CMMC-Jackson, MS

Faith: thank you for the eloquent defense of the forum. You are gifted both in language and diplomacy!

I think this site is amazing.. its just a chance for anyone, whos had the band, thinking about getting the band or just recently got the band just to talk.. its not advice.. its sharing of opinions and thoughts and feelings..... accept them for what they are.. or move on, thats all you really can do

People answer and support each other on this board out of the kindness of their hearts.

Whether you agree or not is your own business.

I am grateful for all the support received on this board.

and also...if its a serious question..call your doctor. I think we all know that. I think the reason we ask the questions here is exactly to find out what other peoples experiences are, with a grain of salt, and considering the sources.

An open forum is open to people with opinions. You are still responsible for your own health and have to decide who and what you believe. Just like in conversations with people face to face. I suppose if one wanted to just hear from "experts" it would be better to read the research, or to just discount the word sof anyone who hasn't been banded. I hope she finds what she's looking for...... I found it here.

Hey Lizrbit! Miss Galveston yet?

I'm a fairly new bandster but I find that some people here are very militant and adamant about their opinions and advice, and have little tolerance for others who see things differently, even if their knowledge comes from their own doctors. It's not many people, but now I guess we will have one less such poster. :ohwell:

Good luck, Dislexi.

lol betsy!

i missed it the day my foot stepped off the plane down in Portland.

its SNOWED NON STOP here since. Our last snow was several inches yesterday. Im hoping it will rain soon and melt it all off.

However..if it doesnt...

I GO BACK TO GALVESTON IN A WEEK FOR SECOND FILL! woo!

:::shaves legs::::

I suspect Deslexi is nothing more than a person trying to "stir the pot" and create problems. She/he is likely still lurking on the forum with a different name. The very nature of a forum means that a person WILL get a variety of responses from many people with similar AND differing OPINIONS.

I find this forum invaluable. At home with my family no one can possibly know what it's like going through the surgery and living with the band. This forum makes me feel as if I'm not going through this alone. I use this site as a way of communicating with people who are going through what I am going through; in a way it is like a lifeline. I certainly don't come here for medical advice. I have the intelligence to work out what is right and wrong for myself.

Dislexi sent me a hateful private message about "a lot" and "alot".

She is a very angry person with many issues.

I love this forum...it's where I gain my strength....ALOT!!!!!!!! (sorry, couldn't resist)

Dislexi sent me a hateful private message about "a lot" and "alot".

OMG.

Someone needs a life.