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 have noticed that people here tend to swing from one extreme to another. For example, extreme (former) over-eaters swing to extreme dieters.

This is not a criticism. What works for you (you in general) is great, as long as preachiness and intolerance of other opinions isn't over-bearing.

I have had some compulsive eating phases in my life, on and off. I ate a ton of candy as a kid, and never was able to shake the sweet tooth thing. But this is eye-opening for me. I never realized that people could truly eat 5 pizzas and then still feel hunger. I would think that would be physically impossible, for a stomach to take in that much food without bursting or making you vomit. Once (as a kid, at 204 lbs / age 12) I ate a pound bag of peanut M & Ms. I threw the whole thing up.

Hey guys, calm down - this is a place to support each other not to shoot each other down in flames. We will never all agree, its impossible, lets just accept our differing opinions and treat each other with respect and tolerence.

There's a college kids' thread here that talks forever about how to get drunk easily with the band. It bothers me "a lot". I responded with my opinion once, read the responses, and then left it. Seems like the thing to do and then get on with life. Just depends how you want to spend your time.

I do think the debate between portion control and dieting will always be ther with the band. For me, I do both at home, sticking with a whole food/raw food healthy diet, and then when I'm out to eat, I order whatever I want and eat a bit of it. Works for me......

Betsyjane, i don't appreciate the last post if you actually GO BACK to it and see what someone has actually responded to your post you will see.

Originally Posted by Betsyjane

I'm not young, so I don't belong here, and I promise to get out. Just a thought. There are bandsters who switch "additions" from food to alcohol, and end up in major trouble. Also bandsters who lose their hair because of getting empty calories and not enough Protein. Just a thought.

RESPONSE: I understand but i am not talking binge drinking - i want to know if it is possible to drink one or two beers when i am out with friends

ME: Now what do you say to that....jeez because we are young we are less responsible right....god, all black people are crooks and jews are cheap too! (SARCASM PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!)

The thread is for peer support....its not about ways of getting drunk. Why do you think the guys have a thread on the boards...to discuss football?? No, its LBT, so we look for people we can share commonalities with.

Unfortunately, if you do look at the thread SOME members decided to stray off course, but no need to generalize.

I am not sure why a person would think this site is harmful. I am not banded yet, scheduled for June 7. I was so excited to find this site. I have the option to attend monthly support groups however they are an hour away at night. I work long hours and I have had a difficult time attending. This site has saved me the travel time and has been much more. I have my appointment with my surgeon on May 21, which is so close to the surgery date. I have made a long list of questions which I learned from banders on this site. I would always consider what peers say on the site, but it is up to me to decide what I need to discuss with my doctor. I don't see children on here! I am looking forward to a new June Bandsters thread later in May!

Lets keep up the GREAT work!

they was dislexic because they read the forums and got the backwards idea, I love this forum and have got a lot good info.

I am so very thankful for this site. I was one of my surgeons first Lap Band patients and I literally had no one to talk with or answer questions. I have learned so much from this site and am very grateful for the people that have helped me out.

Chickie, congratulations on your FANTASTIC weight loss. Your before and after pictures are amazing.

I think the original poster got what they wanted......... to stir the pot...

and as EVERYONE knows........... YOUR MILEAGE WILL VARY ... and so will your individual journey.........

HAVE A GREAT DAY!

Another lovely LBT thread I see. Why must everything turn so ugly? Why can't we agree to disagree and move on? Why must we argue EVERY SINGLE POINT TO DEATH?? Geez.......

For the record... I do agree with some of the OP's points. Does that mean I'll get flamed now??

Peace.

I can't live without this forum. Its wonderful.

I saw that pizza thread -- and I just shrugged my shoulders and got out. It's not my place to scold him/her for her food choices. I give them credit for already knowing that pizza would not be a good choice...but whatever! My doc doesn't prescribe a post op diet per se. He says enjoy the foods you always did...just less of them. So under those guidelines, pizza would be acceptable.

But aside from that, I would hope that everyone looking for advice on this board would consider the source of that advice!! Whenever I'm looking for it, the first thing I look for is some indication or signature of how long they've been banded. And I don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out that the advice of a person who's onlly been banded a short time may not be the whole story...only their version given their limited experience. I feel pretty sure most of the users here do the same.

I second everything that everyone has said here. I am pre-banded and without this forum, I don't know where I would be. I absorb everyone elses stories, expreriences, etc and then decifer them for myself. No offense, I love my doctor, but he isn't banded nor has he had bypass surgery, so for me, this is the best place to come for real life experiences.