I was Banded or as I say (I had my stomach handcuffed) on July 25, 2005 in Maumee, Ohio at St. Lukes Hospital with Dr. Duckett and Dr. Oweiss.

I think I am doing ok - I'm down 33 lbs. from my start of my 1200 calorie diet on July 5, 2005.

I have had some problem with reflux - we are not even sure - cause it's not the typical reflux symptoms....I have been praying this will straighten out and stop as I never had these type of problems pre-band.

I just wanted to be able to walk (I have bad arthritis in my right knee and I was starting to walk like my grandma used to). I felt so vulnerable - like I couldn't run away from anything if I needed to....

I am hoping to find hope and comfort reading on these boards - I feel like my whole existence has been wrapped up in this crazy Quest to conquer this terrible disease of obesity.

Pray for me and I will pray for all of you also.

Congrats on a successful surgery! I took Prilosec for a few weeks post-surgery but it resolved as the swelling went down and I healed and wasn't so "tight". Read up on Reflux here. It happens with banding so you are sure to get good feedback. Just 60 more to go...good for you!!!

I like the phrase 'stomach handcuffed'. That's what my stomach and I needed. Good luck and welcome to bandland.

Congrats & welcome!

I just wanted to be able to walk (I have bad arthritis in my right knee and I was starting to walk like my grandma used to). I felt so vulnerable - like I couldn't run away from anything if I needed to.....

Oh Yeah. I have arthritis in my left knee & ankle. Same story. Walking like a Granny at 40 yrs old. Every once in a while it would cross my mind that all the women in my family live into their 70's or longer - and I didn't think I could take another 30-40 yrs of ever-increasing pain.

Thank God for the Band. Now we have hope for a healthy future.

(AND, if unfriendly aliens land in our backyards, we MIGHT be able to get away! LOL)

We're all rootin' for you. Good Luck!

Welcome to bandland. You have done great with the band. You might be able

to give us some help.

Wow you've done very well so far in your journey! Job well done!