musicfrommyheart

Oh wow, I'm so glad to speak with someone who has had their surgery done there. I think I'm going to go with Dr. Jones, although I haven't met Dr. Schneider yet, I hear that they're both really good. How did you like your fill visit with Dr. Schneider? -music

Hey Aquameliza, I hear what you're saying about the fills, I worry about that. I haven't had my surgery yet, but I have my first appointment on January 2nd. I hope you don't get too dissappointed with yourself ! I do sometimes, and then I notice that it puts me in an even worse mood. But, if I remember that I'm a normal person who has undertaken a great challenge with this weight loss program, then I don't feel so bad when I slip. The point is to continue to communicate with your doctor, find your sweet spot, and let the folks at Weight Watchers support you. That's what they're there for. :smile: Was your illness related to the band? I hope you don't mind me asking, I'm curious as to how others are handling the band. It helps me not be so frightened for when I have my own surgery. Good luck to you! -music

Woo hoo! I'm so excited, I was just called by BIDMC, they have a cancellation in January so my appointment was moved up to January 2nd!

Oh my goodness, I just have to say how HAPPY I am to have found this thread! I haven't been banded yet, I have my first visit on January 12th, but already I'm thinking into the future, knowing how much I tend to overeat. That is my biggest fear, that I fail myself and the band. Wow, you all really inspire me so much! A little about myself, I am 30 years old, 5'3" and I currently weigh about 276 pounds. I've decided to get banded because I really don't want to get up to 300 pounds. I'd like to change my life, once and for all. Again, I am so inspired by reading your posts. And honestly, I don't look at what you've gone through as "failing" so much as you have finally faced your habits dead on and are realistic about your challenges with the band. Hearing your honest dialogue is like listening to myself. Thanks, Ladies. I look forward to reading more about your successes and sharing mine with you! -music

Hey Sherry! So glad to hear that you are doing well, I wish you a speedy recovery. Have a Happy Holiday if I don't talk with you before then :tongue_smilie:. -music

Sonipez, Thank you for this response! I had started to wonder if other people were even having this problem, too! Yeah I've received feedback both positive and negative. Even this one woman who had been banded HERSELF seemed pretty judgmental on whether or not I would eat my way through the band. They were some harsh words, but I think she was really trying to impress upon me the seriousness of this process. But to me that's the whole point, I want it to be serious. I want to do the work, and I see the band as a permanent reminder of the committment I'm making to myself. I'm so glad your mom was supportive and congrats! on losing the excess weight. Can I ask you a question, do you have the excess skin that so many women are talking about? I wonder what that's going to be like for me. Wow, isn't it amazing to know that you no longer have to deal with diabetes? I mean, you have literally saved yourself from an illness and reversed it. That is so amazing to me and gives me hope about this process of being banded. I wish you the best, I really do. Thanks again and Happy Holidays :laugh: -music

Hey SherryW, not sure if you'll get this but I thought of you today and hope that your surgery goes well. Let us know how you're doing later, if you can. Happy Holiday's Everyone! -music

yeah teresa, lol, I don't know how you do the sub q injections, you're good! I'm excited, I just had an appointment with my doctor and she ok'd it for me to try to set up my sleep study in advance, instead of waiting for my january initial visit. She thought that there was no way I'd get an appointment before January but she referred me. I called them this morning, and they have an open appointment tomorrow for me to get evaluated! I'm hoping that's a good sign. I really don't want to drag this process out and have to get my surgery way into the Spring. Welcome, Ready2win! Good luck on getting your surgery date soon :ohmy:.

Wow, January 20th, that is great! Yeah, I was a phlebotomist for many years, I've seen and smelled gangrene, nothin usually fazes me. But something about watching them put the probes in kinda got to me. -music

Hey Congratulations! I would certainly love to keep in touch and get some support, too. I am hoping to get my surgery date soon but I'm a little earlier in the process , I have my first consult visit on January 12th. Are you excited? Yesterday I watched a video of the surgery being done live and got a little squeamish :shades_smile:. But it certainly won't deter me. I can't wait to get started! Well, good luck to you! -music

Breanne, good luck to you! I have just started the process myself. I'll be going over to Beth Israel and I think I'm going to choose Dr. Jones, based on the experiences I've read from all the Massachusetts bandsters :thumbup:. I have my first appointment on January 12th with the nurse. Are you nervous? I am! But excited, too. I'd love to hear about your progress and have someone to share with. Take care! music

Thanks so much, Sherry. Reading about all of your firsthand experiences have helped me so much. I agree with what you said earlier, even the thought of the band slipping or having minor complications won't deter me. I look at having this surgery sort of like having a permanent reminder of why I need help to keep myself healthy and on track. If I can lose even 50% of the excess weight, I know that I would feel so much better. Thanks again. Were you all ever able to meet again after Dez had her baby? I wonder how many of your group members are doing now. Quinn, how do you feel now, having had the surgery? .music

Hi Sherry! I was sorry to hear about your band slipping. I am really new to this site and was so excited to read yours and the other bandsters progress that I read all 46 pages before posting. I have just gone to my first info session, having been really wary of the whole idea of having surgery. After the session, however, I was so relived. And reading all of your posts here has really inspired me. I am hoping that I'm not coming to this posting too late, as many of the original folks seem to not be posting as often anymore. So far, I think I'm going to go with Dr. Jones. I go for the second info session on the 18th. Most of my friends are against me having the surgery. So is my mom and step parents. But all of them are overweight, and they can't provide me with a better alternative besides "just eat better". I have gained about 100 pounds in the last four years and I feel like I'm just drowning in my body. Since I've found out about this surgery, it's all I can think about. A couple of questions I had were: 1. What are the dangers of having the band in for longer than 5 years? Do you know of anyone who's been banded for longer than that? A nurse friend of mine said that she's seen people come in who's bands have simply come open inside them, or loosened on their own. The hopeful part of me thinks that this might be from overeating, but I'm not sure. 2. Why did you all choose the Lap Band over the mini gastric bypass? Hope you don't mind the long post. After getting my nerve up to write, I can think of a million questions I'd like to ask. Take care, looking forward to hearing from you. Is there any one in this post who's in the same boat? Will you be going to the info session on the 18th? Wanna meet up? I'd love to do a support group with folks who live in the Boston area. Thanks, music