bandofhope

SHAWNA....YEA, You're banded! I am so happy for you and glad that all went so well. I do have a question... have you regretted anything so far? Do they ask which side you want the port on or is it always on one specific side? Thanks for answering these silly questions... and I hope you have a speedy recovery!

SHAWNA...you're there by now and I'm thinking about you. By the time you read this you'll be a banded woman with good days ahead-take care of yourself while you recover-

Shawna, I could not read the posts down the page fast enough....Congratulations! I am sooo happy for you. I know everything will be great for you tomorrow. Remember every detail because I am using Dr. Schmitt and I want to know the who, how, what, when and where's of the whole procedure! Get rested tonight, if you can!.... and I'll say a prayer along with everyone else for you. I will be waiting to hear from you-- I know you will have a great report! Congrats again and God Bless!

BRAVO!, Super Moderator Jack... do you charge by the hour? Your wisdom and practical discussion parallels the exciting motivation of my first lap band seminar. I needed that verbal B-12 boost...and I know it will be just as good the second time around when I ponder your words over a cup of coffee. Thank You!

I have a random thought so I thought I would ask... Can you feel the lap band in your body all of the time. I'm not asking if it hurts; rather, are you physically aware of it at all times? Thanks.. and as I said, just a random thought among my many.

Congratulatins, Di... please keep us informed on everything, it's so helpful to get the information...Good Luck and God Bless!

I have been considering lapband surgery for a year or so. I finally went to the seminar with Dr. Schmitt in January. I drove almost 3 hours to get there and was very excited about finally getting information on the surgery. I hate to say it, but the way the seminar went made me step back and think again. It was like a circus and quite frankly I have never had a medical staff act so crappy. It made me feel like all they wanted was for me to sign on the bottom line so they could get paid. They never discussed (or disclosed) that some of my procedure and/or related tests might not be covered (I have BC/BS). Dr. Schmitt has great credentials but his bedside manner is making me feel uncomfortable. I went to my first months visit with my GP but have not been back again because I am starting to have doubts. I have learned more on this discussion board than I have anywhere... are there any suggestions for a another doctor in Alabama. I am going to the lapband support group next Saturday in Bham at Dr. Schmitt's location and I hope to get a more positive response from real people that have had the surgery. I'm not above blaming this on my own jitters.. but, my gut has a bee in it that won't quit worrying me. I know I need the surgery, but, it's scary enough doing it without having to worry about the doctor and his staff. Thanks for any suggestions!

Help please... why is a sleep study required by patients of Dr. Schmitt? Thanks---

Hi Beastbron--- I do understand your concerns. It is scary when you think about having surgery and placing a foreign object in your body. But, we are living in a fantastic time in our human progression through life and one of the benefits is having unimagined cures/tools and knowledgeable doctors for our physical problems. Also, there are so many that have had no problems compared to the very very small that have... I believe it's worth it. Say a prayer for peace of mind and I have no doubt you will have a calmness of spirit. You deserve this good thing for you--- just keep taking each day forward and before you know it, the day after will be here. Good Luck!

I AM A SLAVE TO FOOD AND IT IS KILLING ME. There is not other way for me to look at it. I am 5'2" and weigh 317 pounds, 44 years old. I have been dieting since I was a very young girl. I could not be embarrased, shamed, bought, ignored, insulted, praised, loved, hated, laughted at, begged, counseled or physically restricted enough to loose the weight or even more challenging... KEEP IT OFF. I barely have enough energy to clean my house or go to work. I have stopped going to church because I can barely walk throught the pews and my clothes don't fit. My once very erotic sex life is gone as is my ability to go slow dancing with my husband. I can't even sit in a restaurant booth to eat the food I have no business eating anyway. But, I can tell describe the orgasmic feeling I get when I eat food. Silky feeling of buttery delights and the way my heart races with anticipation when I place an order at a fast food restaurant. The times I have looked down and realized I had finished eating the food on my plate and didn't even realize it. I go to bed thinking of food and wake up thinking of food. I will get in the car and drive 5 miles and spend my last dime on a bag of spicy sweet doritios and an Original Coke. My body is so huge I rock back and forth when I walk. My husband, son and myself took my daughter to look at a prospective university she wants to go to and I couldn't even take the tour because I couldn't walk around campus for 45 minutes. So, this is my point-- and I say it to myself-- The condition of my life is miserable with no forseable change because I am a woman with some sense and fairly good mind but my longevity at this point is dependent on me... and I can't trust me alone to take care of myself. And with all of that being said, I can't belive I am even having second thoughts and wondering if I should be banded. I know I need help and I have got to do this for me. I have got to have help if I am ever going to lose weight and KEEP IT OFF. And, I have to quit the notion of being a "cheater" by being banded. I thank God for the minds that came up with this band because I know one thing.. if I could lose the weight and not gain it back, I wouldn't be typing here now. So, I am educating myself, going with my head and my soul on my decision to get banded and asking God to bless me with the will and a clear mind to stay on track. And, I will just believe that this is best for me... it is a wonderful relief to finally relax and know there is hope. I don't have to live like this the rest of my life.. I can't and I'm not. So, I look forward to hearing from each of you one here and yes,, I agree, I will miss the hell out of my favorite lover in the world... my food!

I AM A SLAVE TO FOOD AND IT IS KILLING ME. There is not other way for me to look at it. I am 5'2" and weigh 317 pounds, 44 years old. I have been dieting since I was a very young girl. I could not be embarrased, shamed, bought, ignored, insulted, praised, loved, hated, laughted at, begged, counseled or physically restricted enough to loose the weight or even more challenging... KEEP IT OFF. I barely have enough energy to clean my house or go to work. I have stopped going to church because I can barely walk throught the pews and my clothes don't fit. My once very erotic sex life is gone as is my ability to go slow dancing with my husband. I can't even sit in a restaurant booth to eat the food I have no business eating anyway. But, I can tell describe the orgasmic feeling I get when I eat food. Silky feeling of buttery delights and the way my heart races with anticipation when I place an order at a fast food restaurant. The times I have looked down and realized I had finished eating the food on my plate and didn't even realize it. I go to bed thinking of food and wake up thinking of food. I will get in the car and drive 5 miles and spend my last dime on a bag of spicy sweet doritios and an Original Coke. My body is so huge I rock back and forth when I walk. My husband, son and myself took my daughter to look at a prospective university she wants to go to and I couldn't even take the tour because I couldn't walk around campus for 45 minutes. So, this is my point-- and I say it to myself-- The condition of my life is miserable with no forseable change because I am a woman with some sense and fairly good mind but my longevity at this point is dependent on me... and I can't trust me alone to take care of myself. And with all of that being said, I can't belive I am even having second thoughts and wondering if I should be banded. I know I need help and I have got to do this for me. I have got to have help if I am ever going to lose weight and KEEP IT OFF. And, I have to quit the notion of being a "cheater" by being banded. I thank God for the minds that came up with this band because I know one thing.. if I could lose the weight and not gain it back, I wouldn't be typing here now. So, I am educating myself, going with my head and my soul on my decision to get banded and asking God to bless me with the will and a clear mind to stay on track. And, I will just believe that this is best for me... it is a wonderful relief to finally relax and know there is hope. I don't have to live like this the rest of my life.. I can't and I'm not. So, I look forward to hearing from each of you one here and yes,, I agree, I will miss the hell out of my favorite lover in the world... my food!

I'm new and just in the "Check List Bander" phase of my procedure... making a list and checking it twice for requirements. I get so excited thinking about having my surgery and then it hits me...I've got to be knocked out. I am 44, never had surgery, and it seems that all I hear about now is terrible surgery stories. I just get sick thinking about it. I have missed the last two support group sessions with Dr. Schmitt's office in Alabama and I think I will feel much better when I actually make it to one. I can hear people talk about their experiences and I'm sure they will be very motivational. But, yes.. back to the original question.. I am scared to death of the Anestesia!!!!! I hope I just go in and they knock me out... don't give me time to think about it. I'll just say a big prayer and close my eyes and hopefully wake up!

OK... Help Please--- I called BC/BS PPO last month and they said my surgery is covered. I assumed (and evidently this is a good example of where that gets you...) that everything would be covered whether as outpatient or inpatient surgery. Can someone who knows please straighten me out on this? Will Dr. Schmitt's office give me a breakdown of any out of pocket costs? Thanks so much!!!

YEA!!!.... I HAVE FOUND PEOPLE FROM ALABAMA!! I went to a seminar with Dr. Schmitt in January and I liked what he said; decided he was the doctor for me. I have BC/BS and the requirements are tough for surgery. I went to my GP to begin my 6 month "supervised diet" as required and missed the second appointment due to the horrible flu that everyone I know has seemed to caught this season. My dietician meeting was cancelled because the clinic decided to only meet with diabetics. My first appointment with Dr. Schmitt is tomorrow and I have to cancel because of a funeral. Sooo, with all of that I am getting a little down BUT... I will just put things back in order and start all over again. I have been fat my whole life I tried everything and I feel like this is the only way to help myself. I suspose I don't have much point to this post except to express my delight in locating you people. I plan on attending a support group for banders with the group associated with Dr. Schmitt to get a feel for life with the lapband. Any thoughts?

Hi Bexter... How are you- are you still recovering OK... hope so. Keep us updated.

Bexter-- I just began the process of my six month supervised doctor visits to get approved and even I am worried about you... Call The Doctor!! Something doesn't sound right--- good luck and God Bless-