patricia5901

Hi everyone! I have been reading this forum for a couple of months now and it has provided so much great information! I am trying to decide if I want the lap band or to go with the bypass surgery. My daughter who is 35 and is also severely obese is considering the same thing. Anyone know of any great surgeons for either of these procedures in Alabama? I must admit I thought that the lap band would be the best to start with, but I have read some posts that has me thinking about the bypass again - any suggestions I wouldn't greatly appreciate! I have type II diabetes, really bad knees, high blood pressure and I LOVE food - oh I forgot to add that I am 53 years old and am so tired of being so overweight - I have let it rob me of my joy for life and my knees have really put my walking to a standstill. I find myself becoming a loner and even avoiding the telephone when it rings. Four years ago, my brother-in-law went in for gastric bypass and he never got to leave the hospital - of course he did not do as the doctors had told him prior to the surgery - but it has taken me four years to get up my courage to do something about my weight. I used to be very outgoing and never met a stranger, but my weight has gotten me really down on myself - I know how I am supposed to eat - so why can't I do it - after all I am a grown woman??? Patricia

I just attended another seminar with Dr. Brit and Dr. Groves this past Tuesday night at Fort Payne and this was the first time I had got to meet Dr. Brit. I must say that I love both these doctors and love the feeling I got when listening to each present the program. I have been to other seminars given by different doctors and did not feel easy about them, but there is definitely something different and wonderful about these guys. At the end of the evening, it felt more like we were all family and I love their down home attitude! Please post your experience on this doctor duo and his office team - I would so appreciate it! Smiles, Patricia

You are so right, we are not dead or BLIND!! I love being old now, when I see someone who is especially pretty or handsome, I just walk right up to them and tell them that they are Gorgeous! There is something very freeing about being older, you are no longer a threat to anyone and people seem to enjoy being told nice things. Now, back to Dr. Brit's lips, you must STARE at them and to really appreciate their beauty and tell him you need a moment to just take it all in!! LOL Smiles, patricia

Karly, you are so right, there is snow on my roof and my furnace is just about out other than the pilot light - but my until I look in the mirror I forget that I am old!! lol I am right at the very beginning of the six month or seven month weight chart. I was hoping that my endocrinologist in Birmingham would fill out the first two months weight charts as I have had an appointment with him for the last two months with weight and eating and tons of bloodwork involved. He said he really was more comfortable letting my family physician handle this type stuff. I must admit I was really disappointed but I do understand so now I will need to call my famly doc and set up my first appointment. I had lost 8 pounds since my appointment last month and the doctor encouraged me to do it on my own, but he just doesn't know me very well. The only reason I lost weight was that my husband who already has several serious health issues was diagnosed with late stage 3 kidney failure and I have been so upset that I have thrown up most of my meals. I am a worrywart and I have been with my hubby since I was 16 and the thoughts of losing him makes me literally physically sick. He has battled cancer twice and a heart attack and now this - it just never seems to stop. Once I get over the initial blow, then I start eating like there is no tomorrow!

Oh Nanabanded and gone4ever - I can' t believe you didn't notice at first glance!!!! lol I immediately noticed what gorgeous lips he had and it made it hard to concentrate on what he was saying... my hubby has those great lips like that and I so wish I did - love um!! They almost look like they have been outlined and then something plumped them up - GORGEOUS!! LOL I may be old and happily married, but I do appreciate looking at some of God's beautiful handiwork!! lol Nanabanded, your daughter is so RIGHT, I love that Cute-if-ful!!!!!!!!!! Give her a hug for me and tell her she is so right!!! Smiles, Patricia

Oh Wendy, you poor thing! I don't really know what pb stands for but it sounds terrible! Di4UA, I too am a fast eater and I trying to work on that now, but I have had years to create this really bad habit and it really takes concentration on my part to keep from scarfing it down as ususal. I also wanted to thank you for the info on the support group meeting, I just casually mentioned it to my daughter and she sounded as if she would like to go with me! I would so love to meet all of you there, you have already been so helpful in just a short time! I too love the information here, thanks to everyone for your input and I would love to hear it all!! lol Smiles, Patricia

I'm so glad someone asked what a PB was, I have been reading about this "PB" and I haven't figured it out yet. I have just had my initial consultation and I am now doing my 6 month hoop jumping for the insurance but I forgot to ask what PB was - I always think of Peanut Butter when I see it and I know that's not it because I don't think folks would mind having peanut butter. Smiles, Patricia

Oh my gosh Di4ua, that is wonderful news, thank you so much for the info!!!!! I would also get to meet some of you and I would love that!! Thanks again! Patricia

Karly, thank you so much for your post and BIG CONGRATULATIONS on your 41 pounds GONE!! It's amazing how much better I feel when I come here to the forum for support. I just met Dr. Britt one time and I am an old woman (but still breathing), but that guy has the most gorgeous lips!! lol I couldn't concentrate on what he was saying at the seminar for wishing I had lips like that!! lol I do love that Dr. Groves has had the surgery and also Dr. Groves says that he and Dr. Britt sometimes help each other out so I really wouldn't mind which one did the surgery. Thanks again for your imput and I look forward to getting to know you better and getting thin together!!

Count me in as a stowaway too!! This is by far the most active topic and it is so great to read all the posts!! I do have a daughter who lives in Birmingham and I have told her about the great responses to this topic, I am hoping that she will begin to think about lap band. I have just had my first office visit at another doctor's office that is closer to where I live - but reading all these great posts makes me want to switch docs, but it also really inspires me too! I wish you all continued success and look forward to reading this topic daily! Smiles, Patricia

Hi, I'm a band hopeful, I have just started the six month hoop jumping for BCBS and was hoping to find more posts as well, but I love that the newbies are posting as that really helps me to be more prepared. I have learned more information here on this forum than anywhere and partially because I didn't know what questions to ask - but thanks to all of you kind souls I will be better prepared! Smiles, Patricia

Oh that's wonderful news Nanabanded!!!!!! I was probably having a senior moment when I read your post!! LOL Thank you for posting again and Congratulations on your weight loss - you've done GREAT!!!!!! Smiles, Patricia

Well - I did it - I had my first visit with Dr. Groves and got my stacks of papers for doing my hoop jumps for Blue Cross Blue Shield. I don't know why I get so nervous, I thought all day yesterday I woulld just call and reschedule like the last time. I am a bit excited, but I thought I would get to talk to the nutritionist and the physical therapist today - silly me thought they were all in the same place. I was lucky though, got both booked for this Wednesday - YIPPEE! I didn't realize that they would need to take my picture fronton and then a sideview, I hope that is the last big picture of me to be taken and that I will be on the road to a healthier me ! My knees are in heaven just thinking about carrying around LESS of ME!! lol I've known that Dr. Groves was the one for me as soon as I met him , and today's visit just confirmed my first impression! Thanks for letting me vent, hubby doesn't want to hear anything about it so I am so thankful to have found this forum. Big Smiles! Patricia Dr. Groves is so very nice and so is Amy in the front office, but there were a couple of ladies that must have been having a rough Monday for sure.

Oh Nanabanded, I pm'd you - please tell me why you wouldn't go back. I want to hear the good, the bad and the ugly for sure before I commit any further. Smiles, Patricia

What a great question Band of Hope - I would love to know that myself!! I am also in the process of jumping through hoops for the insurance company, so I don't have any data to offer - yet!! Big Congratulations Jack, your reply was just what I needed to hear - keep up the great work and especially the wonderful encouragement you offer so many of us! Smiles, Patricia

:thumbup:Love this - does hubby know yet? Smiles, Patricia

Oh Shawna, I love the way you look at things!! lol I need to loose a two month old horse and a human head - or course I would just love to eat those dozen doughnuts first!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so bad!!!!!!!!!!! Smiles

Wow - Thanks gone4ever - I will give it a try hopefully tomorrow! I am so computer illiterate as well - you are so kind to take the time to give instructions! Congratulations on your weight loss and prayers for continued success for you! I haven't checked in here for a few days and just now noticed your post - thank you!! Smiles, Patricia

I have attended my second seminar with Dr. Groves and Dr. Britt and finally got my nerve up to make my first appointment which will be on July 7th - a week from today! I am so excited, just hope I don't loose my nerve while waiting for my six months of weight management for Blue Cross Blue Shield. I have attended seminars with other doctors, but I felt like Dr. Britt was the one for me - he is so personable and the fact that he has the lap band himself really helped me make my decision. I get really excited during the seminar and wish they could do the surgery the next morning so I don't have time to put it off again. lol It's great to hear from others who have used these two great doctors! Smiles Patricia

Thanks Gone4ever, you have really been so supportive and I really appreciate your imput! I wish I didn't have to wait the 6 months for my insurance to pay, I find myself very motivated just after the seminar, but my nerves get me as time passes. This forum has certainly helped and I hope to check in daily to keep my motivation up! I love the little ticker at the bottom of your post - how'd you do that? Keep up your great work, I can see you in a bikini by next summer!!:biggrin:

I am so Thankful to hear from you and to know that you are doing well. I am also so sorry that your scar tissue kept the doctors from being able to band you. Just remember what an AMAZING person you are and BEAUTIFUL on the inside and outside. Keep up what you were doing before and the weight will come off, just a bit slower. I am here for you if you need me and will continue to keep you in my prayers . Here's a gentle hug my dear friend and hope you have sweet dreams while you nap! Patricia

Just wanted to say hello and to tell you that I ran into your hubby at Wal-mart and he told me you have a surgery date - CONGRATULATIONS :thumbup:and here's wishing you a VERY SUCCESSFUL BANDING and to say I'm keeping you in my prayers and I'm here for you if you need me! Just think you could be shopping for a Bikini by this time next year!!! I have got to get on the stick so I can go with you on that shopping trip!!! Smiles, Patricia

Teacher of K, I would love to hear from you! Hugs, Patricia

Bandofhope, I think there are lots of us that feel the same way. I have put this off for a while, but I am fully charged up now and I am going through with it this time. Please tell us why you think you might die on the table, maybe there will be some really wise member who will post some statistics for us here. I think I read where there had been no deaths associated with the band. Hope this helps, we are all here for you and you can voice your concerns to us and we will support you in every way. I will need your support when I get my six months of weight done. Did your doctor have any suggestions on how to loose the 40 pounds? The reason I am asking is that I have fatty liver too and was wondering if there is a specific diet plan that I need to follow to help my poor liver. All these years I thought I had been good to it because I didn't drink alcohol, I just didn't know that fat could also invade your liver! Hang in there sweetie, we're here for you and just think, you could be bikini shopping this time next year!!:rolleyes2: Keep the faith, Patricia