Roy

Good Idea! We just got some sort of award from CALEA as a Flagship agency, so maybe it is good for something after all.

Sounds like you have a good plan SCHEWY. Most of the guys here in Houston have had more problems with their body armor being too big than with the incisions. One deputy had a problem with the hard plates rubbing against his port for a while, but he padded the incision and once it healed completely up he has had no problems. The biggest problem that most of us face now is getting new body armor that fits. We have heard that there is someone who can cut the panels down to size, but I think I will buy my own new armor before trusting that cutting does not affect the overall protection. I went back to work in a week. I have been having problems with my port incision closing up (it leaks) but they have given me a heavy round of antibiotics and promise that it will be alright in a week or so. In the meantime I keep it covered with thick gauze pads to prevent it from leaking on my gear. I have lost 26 pounds so far and feel great. More energy, less meds for the diabetes and high blood pressure. The uniform has become very loose and I am able to get in and out of the car so much quicker. The surgery itself was no big deal, and except for the liquid diet for the first week, I could have gone back to work after a day or so. You just need to keep the wounds clean and they will heal up pretty fast. Follow your diet and get everyone to help and support you. You will be astonished by the people who will give their support and want to know all about the procedure. It was the best move I could have ever made to improve my life. Roy HCSO/41S90

I am a Deputy with the Harris County Sheriff's Office. I was banded on 02/21/08 and am feeling great. I was told about the Lapband by a co-worker who had it done a year ago. Once I started checking around I found out that there have been over a dozen of us who have had it done. The guys are all in various stages and we have a sort of unofficial support group at work. My phone has been ringing off the hook with calls from the guys checking on me and giving encouragement. I am a week out and have lost 12 lbs so far, starting mushies today. My partner got his the same day and he has lost 16 lbs already. I have seen my blood sugars drop to nearly normal and feel great. I return to work on Saturday. As far as the body armor issue, one Deputy reported that the hard plates rubbed against his port and bothered him a bit, but that is the only complaint I have heard. The guys at uniform supply are getting tired of seeing us band guys changing uniforms out so often.I supervised a 911/Police Communications Center for over 13 years as well and can tell you that dispatchers never get the respect they deserve. They save our lives every day. Tell the world what you are going to do and if they don't like it, too bad.Roy/HCSO 41S90

I forgot to mention that I have been walking about 1/4 to 1/2 mile a day and it makes a big difference in how I feel.

I got a Realize band on 2/21 from Dr Thomas at OSS in Houston TX. Yesterday they cleared me for mushies and the mashed potatoes were so good. I have lost 12 lbs so far with 90 more to go. My diabetes blood sugar has gone from 250+ in the am to 100 and only 1 shot of Lantus. I am excited to be off most of my meds and look forward to being off the Lantus and BP meds soon. My only problem so far has been trying to get on to the Realize web site to use some of the features they list, no one knows the numbers for my surgeon or band because they just changed to the Realize gastric band from the LapBand. I am still very happy with my decision though and would do it again!!