jeanieb

Hi, I'm new to this forum. I'm a 60yo mother of two, and grandmother of 4 1/3 from Albuquerque, NM. I had a Realize Lap-Band placed on 12/3/07 by Robin Blackstone, MD at Scottsdale Healthcare. She also repaired a huge hiatal hernia at the same time. Until retiring on disability due to Fibromyalgia in July, 2006, I was an RN, Certified Diabetes Educator. Now I keep myself busy with beading and counted cross-stitch. I had my second fill on 2/8, and have lost 21lbs so far, plus another 11lbs of water from the surgery. I think I finally am having better restriction now, but it's still nothing like the first 3 weeks post-op. Hope to meet more of you!

Hi, I'm a newbie to LBT, and thought I'd join this group if you'll have me! I'm a mother of two, and grandmother of 4 1/3 (so far, all boys!). Before retiring on SSDisability in 7/06, due to Fibromyalgia, I was an RN, Certified Diabetes Educator, but I've worked in lots of other specialties before that! I try to keep myself busy(?) with beading and counted cross stitch, but I haven't yet seen a need to have the "Senior Social Life" that some of my patients have!! I figure that it's time to relax after 38 years of mostly full time working! I had a Realize Band placed on 12/3/07 by Robin Blackstone, MD at Scottsdale Healthcare, as well as a huge hiatal hernia repair. I've had two fills so far, and this one seems to have given me some restriction. It's much harder to know, though, because it's not as clear as it was for the first 3 weeks post-op. Hope to make some friends here, and to become one too!

Hi, Sandiagirl, I went to Dr. Blackstone in Scottsdale because of the quality of her program. It is a Bariatric Center of Excellence, not to be confused with what the ins. co. calls "their Center of Excellence." She is not, as far as I know, on the Pres Network. Believe me, I tried, along with several others, to get her there in 2003-2005. I paid for my surgery myself because I wouldn't go to anyone else. Her program is very comprehensive, both pre- and post-op. E-mail me if I can be of help. Jeanie

Hi, everyone, Thanks so much for the welcome! Yes, I do live in Abq. It's cloudy and cool here today -43 degrees, but expect it to be around 60 again by Sunday. Sharon, you are so right. I never have to worry about taking more than 20minutes to eat because I haven't in more than 40years!! Sharon160, if anything, I no longer have the breakthrough reflux that I had, even after taking medication twice each day! Hope everyone is having a good day.

Hi, Kat, Thanks for the welcome! I think that NM is getting up there in the numbers of Lap-banders. It would be easier if we had a good surgeon in state, but I'm very happy with mine. I hope to do as well as a lot of others, but I've been off to a slightly slower start - I've lost 21lbs, not counting the 11 lbs of water right after surgery. But, I'm so glad that I did this. It was worth every penny that I've spent. Have a safe trip down here on the 25th.