Well Let Me Introduce My self My Name Is Lennie I am An ER RN at the Lowell Gen Hospital I had been obese all my life fighting the bulge evey waking min and losing.

On Sept 26 2007 three months after joining the program of Dr Jisers I had the gastric Banding as of 9/7 2008 i have lost 188 lbs. I feel great.

My cardiac history is improved I am off my meds EKG shows complete re profusion which to the lay person means the heart preety much has healed.

My Diabetis is gone no more meds

NOw to be fair the banding is a great tool but its only a tool if you dont follow a good diet and exercise program you might as well do nothing

I walk 3-5 miles a day I eat only vegtables and fruits protien I get from egg beaters cottage cheese and greek yogurt but I love it I do not miss the meats of sweats any way thats my story and im stickin g to it

Lennie

Awesome job - I hope to be able to toss out my diabetes meds eventually, too.:thumbup:

Wow! I loved your story -- makes me have hope for myself :-)

188! That is amazing in like just over a year. I am impressed! I have lost 105 in 8 months and thought that I was doing good. You are an inspiration! Keep up the good work.

Lennie,

You are such an inspiration! I opened up your pic to full size and I was just blown away at how amazing you look.

Reesa

ULowell grad here saying congrats!

You are an inspiration! Keep up the good work :tongue2:

You've lost 188 lbs since 9/08? Men!! I'm sure most of that was during your pre-op diet right? Otherwise, that's pretty aggressive even w/ a lapband.

you are such an inspiration! keep it up

You look wonderful. I agree that the band is only a tool as head hunger drives me crazy.

Be well.

Fran

I loved your story - especially the improvements with diabetes and heart health. Congratulations on your success.

i am trying to decide lap band or bypass my dr wants me to do bypass says i will lose more weight 188 lbs is alot . i am diabetic and she said that there is a better chance of gettin well with the bypass, personally i am a lil afraid of the by pass. i wont be able to actively exercise because i have some bad discs in my back. i can barely walk now. hopin this will help my back alot . would love to hear more of your experiences and since you are a nurse mabe your opinion on the comparison please, i am 60 yrs old weigh 345 lost 10 lbs this last month. gonna try to lose 45 before april 21 my surgery date.

i am not to impressed with the recovery time of the bypass and the weakness it leaves ya with .

any input you could supply would mean alot to me thanks barb vee

I had that agonizing decision to make too. I was thinking gastric bypass, but when I consulted the surgeon it was for lap band. I was getting close to deciding, and then the insurance went through for lap.

I thought, great! My decision is made for me!

I'm happy with my lap band, but I know I would have lost a lot more weight by now with the by-pass. I'll give it 2 years, and see where I end up.

Then, if I need to, I'll get the by-pass. I'm going to get my weight off, whatever it takes.

Obesity will NOT be the death of me.

OMG!! Awesome job!! Congrats!!!:thumbup:

Wonderful story Lennie. You are an inspiration. I had my banding yesterday at Lowell General Hospital with Dr. Shore.

Keep up the great work!

I find with the lapband exercise is a must but with the bypass it is not! Your best bet is the bypass