SHEILA IN NC

Hey Steve..... I LOVE THAT RESPONSE. You are so right and that is exactly what I've done. I love your attitude!! Keep it!!!

Hi HELP!! I wanted to respond to your post in hopes that I might be able to help you. I understand your frustration. I told my Dr he now needed to develope a band for my brain because I too figured out yet another way to sabotage my weight loss efforts. I will finish this post if it gets to you. It has been a long time since I've been on this site and I have fallen from grace recently and am on my way back. Respond back so that I know I'm doing this right and I'll let you know what's working for me. Live With Passion!

HEY CHRIS, OA IS AN INCREDIBLE PROGRAM. IT FOLLOWS THE BIG BOOK OF AA AND FOLLOWS THE SAME PREMISE TO OBSTAIN FROM THE THINGS THAT CREATE THE SAME PHYSICAL CRAVING AND MENTAL OBSESSION TO US AS ALCHOHOL DOES TO THE ALCHOHOLIC. IT IS A STRINGENT PROGRAM BUT IT IS BASED ON SAVING LIVES, NOT CONVENIENCE. THE COMBINATION OF OA AND MY BAND HAVE BEEN A WINNING COMBINATION AFTER A LIFE LONG STRUGGLE WITH WEIGHT. IF THERE IS ANYTHING I CAN DO TO HELP OR ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE LET ME KNOW! bEST OF LUCK, SHEILA

Just thought I would throw my surgeons name in the ring. He is FANTASTIC and has the most incredible support team including a nutritionist. Best of luck with your decision making!!! Again, his name is Dr Robinson and he operates out of Davis Hospital.

hey Maurden, There are online OA meetings every 3 hours. If you need instructions on how to get to them let me know I'll be happy to help!

I agree with you lap dancer. The Big book is the original book of instructions for the 12 Steps. As they say at my home group meeting.. The elevater to recovery is out of order, you must take the steps! Keeo up the great work and remember, progress, not perfection! Sheila

If you're planning on having the band you really should plan to give up flour. Bread will make you wish you were dead. It is painful especially if it causes a blockage. I tried, trust me, it is painful. Also the band is ony a tool. You have to be willing to do your part and sugar in any food plan is poison!! I don't want this to come off as harsh because I've been where you are at and know that this is not a CURE ALL. You really have to do your part and eating small amounts all day is something that must be changed also. That was my biggest obstacle! Good luck to you and I'm here if you ever need or want to chat. Make the changes.. You ARE WORTH IT!!!!!

Hi Sunshine, I am also in Statesville!! I'm so happy that there is this forum to bring people together. If you need any support or even a walking partner one day drop me a line!! Sheila

Good luck Amanda and you'll be thrilled with the results!! We're all here to help if you need to bounce any questions off of us!!! Sheila

Welcome Peaches!!!! I'm glad you found this link also.

HEY KIM, WHAT IS THE BIG BAND CONFERENCE ABOUT? IS IT FOR THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY OR ANYBODY? SOUNDS INTERESTING!!! sHEILA

Hi Sun Shyne, I'm In Statesville Also. If There Is Anything I Can Help You With Give Me A Yell. Also, There Is A Lapband Support Meeting Tonight (thurs) At Davis Hospital. Everyone Is Welcome. Keep Me Postedd On How You're Doing!! Welcome To A Great New Way Of Life!!

Hey Ms Chris, There is also a surgeon here in Statesville that is out of this world. His name is Dr Robinson. He has an incredible staff and operates out of davis Hospital. If you would like to talk to someone from his staff I'll give you a contact #. Her name is Stefany Dean and her # is 336-575-0428. Let me know if I can help in any way!!! Sheila

Hey Rob, Great post and I agree to a degree. I used that analogy for a long time. My ex was in AA and I know the good that it can bring when done properly. I'm also a physcology buff and have a tough time deciding what is the best method. Yes, AA's must refrain from any alchohol consumption and we can't just stop eating. However, we can put down the white processed flour and sugar. Those 2 things for me were triggers that just fired off cravings that would make a herion addict blush!! I guess the bottom line is that different things work for different people. As said, whether we think we can or think we can't, Either way we are right!! Also your point about replacing one addiction with another!! SO TRUE! So what's a person to do.. Take away an addiction and you have a vaccuum. My choice, replace it with a healthy habbit. My choice, walking. It's easy, its free, and safe!! Great thought provoking post! Keep em coming!!! Sheila

Hey Destined, I TOTALLY relate to what you are going through. I went through the same thing after surgery. GREAT NEWS though. It's ok to still be eating those foods. You need an adjustment and when you get it you won't be able to eat those things. The starchy carbs will feel like cement in your chest and I am sooo happy to say that eating that stuff that once meant comfort to me, now means pain. I substituted emotional eating for emotional exercising. Remember, the band is only a tool. But a POWERFUL one. I'll be happy to talk with you about this if you'de like. But get an adjustment. I had to get 3 before mine worked. Talk about feeling like a failure!!! If your Doctor is anything like mine (awesome) he will be sympathetic with you. Keep me posted and of course anything that I can do to help, I'm here for ya!! Keep it positive and remember your screen name!!! Sheila

Hi Tammy, Think of sugar as poison first of all.. I know, soooo hard to do, but to us addicts, IT IS!!! Anyway, I am not a Doctor but I'm guessing that if your weight loss is slow, you may need an adjustment. I am not a doctor but until I was losing 1- 2 pounds per week my doctor continued to give me small fills. Having said that, my best advice to all of us addicts is to look at as I have learned to look at it. I have a disease and that disease, like any other, wants to kill me. I am therefore fighting for my life. I learned to appreciate the addiction though. It kept me from the addictions of drugs and alchohol, which not only destroy your health, life and finances but also your families and friends lose trust in you. I take it very seriously and it is SOO HARD, but everyday I fight and each day it gets just a little bit easier. If you are serious about OA there are online OA meetings every 3 hours around the clock. You can register for them at oa.org. Welcome to our little thread and I hope to hear from you! If there is anything that I can do to help or any questions that I might be able to help with please ask. Have a wonderful night!!! Sheila

Hello Wella, One of the things that I learned through OA is to stop fighting against cravins, that gives the craving the power that it wants. Instaed reach for a tool. An OA speaker tape,( if you don'e have any let me know, you can get them free on the internet and download them right onto your computer), or read literature, ( I like the Big Book), and of course always pray for strength to get through the next 10 minutes. I look forward to our journey and glad we were able to to have such a forum!!! Sheila

Hey Wella, My deepest appologies. I got burried with my job and had hardly no time to even sign online. About the food plan, YES< Let's do it!! My abstinance is also sugar and white flour and I have added fried foods to that. I have already decafinated myself so thats one issue that is behind me now!! How are you doing with your abstinance??

Hi Miss Jeannie, I understand what you're saying and kind of feel sorry for the people at OA that you feel judged by. After all, that's why they went there to begin with. In any event, I think the spirit of OA is awesome. I combine the steps with the band for great success. Alos, there are people that gain weight with the band. It is only a tool. You hold the fork!! But welcome and anything that I can do to help, I'm here!!! Have an awesome day!! Sheila

Dianne, I Am Kinda New To This "posting". I'm So Uded To Aol. Lol. Anyway, I Just Added You To My Pm List. If You Tried To Send A Message, Please Resednd. Thanks And I Look Forward To Chatting Soon.

Dianne, I absolutely would be interested in any support. Dr Robinsons staff has one on the last Thursday of the month, but I would love to be a part of as many as possible. If there is anything that I can do to help, let me know!!! Sheila

Dr Robinson is out of Davis Hospital in Statesville, NC.

Hi Louise, I Would Love To Put Together A food Plan And Hold Each Other Accountable. I Have Been Attending Oa Meetings Here In North Carolina. I Agree Getting Rid Of The Flour And Sugar Are Targets That Must Be Hit. I Have Some Ideas. Tell Me Yours!! Looking Forward To A Great Journey!!!! Sheila

louise, I would love to do a food plan with you. I think everyone that turns to banding and extreme measures are in fact addicts, like us. Some don't realize it though. The band is only a tool of restriction and to have a truly healthy weight and body you have to be willing to put in the work. Sometimes that work is staying away from "comfort" or "Trigger " foods. Look forward to hearing from you!!! Sheila

louise, I would love to do a food plan with you. I think everyone that turns to banding and extreme measures are in fact addicts, like us. Some don't realize it though. The band is only a tool of restriction and to have a truly healthy weight and body you have to be willing to put in the work. Sometimes that work is staying away from "comfort" or "Trigger " foods. Look forward to hearing from you!!! Sheila