Hello

I am sceduled for banding on the 26th of October by Dr Lee Grossbard. Dr Grossbard has teamed up with Dr Ernest Rhenke to start the band program in St Petersburg FL. I have struggled all of my life with weight and am at an all time high of 309lb and I feel like I am dying a slow death. I am a 39 however I suffer from hypertension and high blood pressure. My reflux has been an ongoing problem. I am looking forward to this new life and being a part of this community. All words of encouragement are welcome.

Hey Cort: Glad to have you on board. Welcome to the rest of your life. I too had high blood pressure along with high cholesterol, back pain, knee pain, etc. Since losing 48 lbs I have gotten my blood pressure under control and off medications, my cholesterol was 130 just two days ago and off medications, my knees and back no longer hurt. I have LOADS of energy. I can get down on the floor now without being embarrased or hurt myself. But better yet I can get up off the floor by myself without a crane. LOL!!

Welcome and don't be shy.

Hi Welcome!!!

You have come to the right place for support and encouragement that is for sure. This place is the best...it's like one big happy family. I have heard good things about Dr. Grossbard. He was banded himself by my surgeon Dr Ortiz. I wish you all the best on your upcoming surgery..Keep coming back reading and posting. This place is what I believe has helped me to be so successful. Lots and lots of support & love here!!

Welcome and congratulations on your upcoming Banding! You are taking a positive step to reclaiming your life. You will be amazed at how your health problems decrease or go completely away. You will be able to get out there and take part in life, instead of sitting on the sidelines. Best of luck to you!

Congratulations! That's just two weeks away. If you have any questions, be sure to look at previous posts on this board, both in Introductions (where a lot of us have talked about the surgical experience), General Discussion, and the themed sections (Food, Support, etc.). I am so grateful for the frank information and opinions I received here. And if you have a question that hasn't already been addressed, just ask! We've all been where you are in your band journey, so you'll have plenty of help. Good luck!

Welcome Cort!! So glad to have you here and congratulations on the decision to reclaim your life! We have all been right where you are, so we understand how you are feeling. Let me just say that I too, was dying a slow, torturous death having had blood clots in both my legs and lungs, cholesterol of 306 and severe swelling in my extremeties. My top weight was 250, for a 5ft body and I simply could not stand one more pound. I have since lost 67lbs and although I've had some minor bumps in the road, I am very pleased that I've been banded and hope to finish my journey soon. Please feel free to browse all the great info and ask anything you feel we might be able to help you with!

Good luck to you on your banding journey!

Howdy from Las Vegas!

Welcome! Lots of information and great support here from everyone! If you can't find it here, you won't find it anywhere! lol

Hi Cort, I, like you, suffered with reflux, hypertension and high cholesterol. I want you to know that those problems are resolved now, since I got banded. My BP is 140/70 now. My cholesterol went from 347 to 190, without drugs. My reflux improved immediately after banding. I love my band!

I know you will enjoy better health, too, when you get this wonderful tool to help you take control of your food. Good Luck, we're glad to have you on the forum.

Hi Cort, and welcome. I was just banded 3 weeks ago, and reflux was a pretty irritating problem for me preband. Since banding I haven't felt it once.

If you read through the many many posts here, you'll be very prepared for just about anything by the time you get banded. This site certainly educated me like nothing else, and no where else I looked.

Good Luck!

Cort

you won't find a better place to send you pre-surgery and post surgery then here. Not only are these people supportive they are just plan beautiful (proof of that is just look at my avatar LOL LOL).

Delarar normally would have more to say but she just hosted a whole group of lapbanders at her home in Vegas over the weekend and I suspect if you were at here house now she is probably sitting at the computer...typed out Howdy from Veags and fell asleep. The woman has energy like no other. But it has to catch up to her sooner or later.

I think we all had the same feeling you have about what was going on with us. You'll see here shortly that that will disappear soon after surgery. The people here wil be proof there is life after fat.

Good luck and keep us posted

Greg

Howdy Do?

from down south

here in Texas!

:eek:

Hello Cort, Welcome to the family! This is a great place. Look forward to hearing more from you and your success upon banding.......... wooohoooo Take care, and read these posts, they are great!

Hugz

Jodie

Welcome! And congrats on your decision to become one of the banded!

I love the St. Pete area. Our family vacations at Clearwater Beach every summer.

Please keep in touch on your upcoming surgery and please ask away. There are very knowledgable people who post on this board, I've learned so much just by reading and asking questions.

Tricia

"Delarla normally would have more to say but she just hosted a whole group of lapbanders at her home in Vegas over the weekend and I suspect if you were at here house now she is probably sitting at the computer...typed out Howdy from Veags and fell asleep. The woman has energy like no other. But it has to catch up to her sooner or later."

Greg, stop reading my mind, it's not polite! I usually go to bed around 10:30. Last night at 7:45, I finally opened up the MP3 player that Donali gave me. I popped in the "Meditative Classical Guitar" CD (one of several that she gave me with the MP3) and was out like a light. Too pooped to post!