I should introduce myself. Silly me, I found the intro section weeks after posting my first message. I bookmarked this site prior to surgery, but never went to the homepage.

I was banded 6-28-04, by Dr Shayani @Loyola Hospital. Surgery and recovery were both uneventful. In fact I was up pacing the floors at midnight (ready to go home) I was back exercising by 7-12-04. Fortunately the only health problem I suffer from is back pain. A few years ago my PCP suggested bariatric bypass surgery, but after lurking around on a website like this one, I decided not to pursue bypass surgery. Also the thought of being butchered scared me.

Last year I heard about banding surgery on the news and by searching the web and calling the different hospitals I found Dr Shayani. It took me until March or April of this year to decide to finally make an appointment. I was shocked when I received insurance approval. It was only at this point that I shared my decision with my family. After I assured them that this procedure was a lot less complicated than the bypass surgery both my mom and sister were very supportive.

I am 5' 11" and my starting weight was 314, to date I have lost 231 lbs. (That's 31 off me plus a 200lb ex-boyfriend, who had been previously warned)

I'm still adjusting but glad I did it, I only wish I had found out about this type of surgery sooner. On of the things my Doctor mentioned in his monthly seminar was that he did not have a band inside of him and he learns through his patient. So far you guys have been so helpful and I look forward to sharing the journey.

Butta

Originally posted by Butta

I am 5' 11" and my starting weight was 314, to date I have lost 231 lbs. (That's 31 off me plus a 200lb ex-boyfriend, who had been previously warned)

Butta

That is TOO good! Glad to "know" you a little better!

Hi Butta!

I love the line about the ex-boyfriend! Going by that scale, I've lost well over 400 lbs in the last 10 years. LOL!!

Nice to meet you. Welcome!

Hi Butta,

I got a laugh out of that line too. It is nice to meet you and I hope you come here and hang out often. Best wishes, Teresa

I got a laugh from it too! Welcome aboard!

Betty

LOL!!! Loved that boyfriend line! Hi, glad to see you again.

Thanks for introducing yourself, Butta. Just think, those 231 pounds are gone for good. I bet your blood pressure improved after losing that 200-lb. burden!

Hi Butta & Welcome aboard!