Little bit of history: I'm 43, 304 pounds, 5'6" and sick of living this way.

I have garnered a great deal of information from this website and thank all of you for your willingness to be open and truthful about your experiences.

I'm currently looking into getting the band done. I went to an orientation yesterday at MMPC's Center for Health Excellence in Grand Rapids. I've been going to their weight management program since June of 2004. June-August 2004, I was on their product of Bariatrix which is similar to Optifast, however it is food (their food). The Center is a great place with wonderful support, physically, emotionally, etc. I lost 60 pounds, but have now gained half of that back. It takes a lot of soul searching and conviction to come to this point.

This place not only does band surgeries, but also does gastric bypass surgeries as well. When I went to orientation, I started swaying toward the gastic bypass, but have come to a decision to get the lap band (less invasive and they don't cut any organs).

Thanks for all the information on this website and your willing to be so open and honest.

P.S. I was on a thread a couple of days ago and thanks to their instructions figured out how to do a "new thread."

Welcome! It's nice to meet you! You definately came to the right place for info. Lots of friendly & experienced bandsters here! See you around!

Welcome Tracyd!! This site has a TON of information on it, thats for sure!

Good luck in your journey!

Good luck Tracy! Congrats on your first thread!!

Hi ~

I'm new to this and wonder what a thread is

Joan

Basically it is a group of messages responding to a theme or type of question or topic. Unless you put your message under an existing thread a new thread starts with your topic. Hope that answers your question.