mboulis

Thanks! His current live in is a SSBBW and he tells people they don't have sex, that she repulses him, etc. He has severe issues.

Exactly that way. My husband has dated heavy women, average sized women, skinny women...the size/weight has never been an issue with him. He looks within. My ex purposefully seeks out heavy women. When I was with him, I went into counseling...he was very emotionally abusive. Anyway, it came out--and he did NOT deny it--that being with a fat woman made HIM feel better about himself. He felt if his wife/girlfriend were morbidly obese, then he would look great in comparison (he was 5'7 and about 130 at the time). He also felt people would pity him for having to have sex with me and that he'd get "mercy sex" from women who'd wonder how he could be sexual with somebody as fat as me (he told them we hadn't had sex in years--which wasn't true). Everytime we would argue, it would always be "your *fat* ass", "butt your *fat* nose out of it", "get your *fat* face out of my sight"...always threw "fat" into it. Yet liked to say he was not biased against overweight people. :angry I still have trouble believing my husband accepts me as I am sometimes. Ten years of that other BS played a lot on my self confidence.

Anybody know of a support group close to Sandusky? There was a general WLS support group at Firelands Regional Medical Center. I went to the meeting. I had been in constant contact with the leader of the group for days---I get there and nobody is there. I waited for a half an hour. The security guard contacted the operator who verified the support group meeting time. Still, nothing. They tried calling the group leader at home and got no answer. I finally went home and sent an email telling her I was there but nobody showed up---she never replied to me again (although my email program showed she had read the email). So, I guess that support group is out of the question. I don't even know if it still exists.:phanvan

In Toledo but it's about 65 miles from here. They have advertised the meetings there but those are all I know of.

I have wondered how the two of you (Lisa and Jackie) were doing. Sounds like things are coming along!! You'll do great!

My husband was totally supportive of the band---but not the RNY or DS. He's had no issues of jealousy whatsoever. Now, my ex-husband, when I lost weight (diet and exercise) would call me names, accuse me of cheating, etc. Told me I was losing weight only so I could get somebody better than him. It wasn't long before I regained everything I lost and more.

I am reading these replies and am so appalled by the way you all are getting treated! The band is not the easy way out at all---if it were, I'd be sitting here in a size 8 instead of a size 20! What the heck are wrong with these people?????:angry I have a friend who had the duodenal switch. She went from 325 down to 185 in about a year. She didn't have to fight weightloss with her surgery like we do. She has stayed there for the past 4 years. She can eat anything she wants---but might throw up if it sits wrong with her. And she gets diarrhea alot. She also now has to have transfusions and IV iron treatments because it messed up her system so much. I don't get it when people say "the easy way out". Why doesn't People magazine talk about how their covergirls and guys use the "easy way" out--- Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, LA Weightloss, etc...or any of those meal plans that come prepackaged...isn't that the "easy way" out, too? grrrrr.....

Thank you Missy...and to you, too!

I accept complete and total responsibility for regaining. I lost 101 pounds within the first year---95 of it before I even had a fill so , as most people say, the weightloss before the fill was icing on the cake. Got my first fill 14 months out. Lost six more pounds. Weightloss stopped. Eating only 1,000 calories a day, exercising *and* working as a nurse (constantly on my feet and on the go), I still am not sure *why* it came to a halt but it did. My weight stayed at the 101 loss for about three months. I started battling depression (and I still am) and was dealing with some things in my life that I never thought would happen. I did not know *how* to deal with them so I dealt with them the same way I had in the past---food. The band is a tool and I learned it can be very easy to eat around. I *thought* I had conquered my food demons. I have not, obviously. My doctor thought if anybody would be successful with the band, it'd be me. I was for a while. I was one of his success stories. I am proof positive, though, that anybody can slip back. As for the original question about jealousy---the only jealousy I noticed was my stepdaughter. She had gained quite a bit of weight and when I started losing, she would make smart aleck remarks...during the liquid phase when I was using Protein Drinks, she made remarks about the waste of money on them, how *she* knew how to "really" lose weight and would "if I wanted too" and that she would "never allow myself to get so fat as to make somebody pay for me to have surgery". :angry To this day, she is convinced I had a gastric bypass. I have no clue who told her that but that is what she thinks. I never discussed my surgery with her or her brothers. They are a very judgemental bunch and it wasn't really anything up for discussion with them. They have their own assumptions.

I can guarantee that if you lose weight and gain any back, I will not be telling you that you never deserved the band in the first place. From what I have read on these boards, I don't think anybody would say that to you. And it is not about "some people need to grow up"---it's about being sensitive to others.

I think that is pretty insulting and insensitive to say to somebody who is banded and gains some back. Who made you judge and jury as to who "deserves" to have a band? I guess I don't deserve my band since I have.

Hi Lisa, I was quoted that $150 too but the first one is a killer. Dr C charges $300 for the first with fluro....the ones with D&O have ranged from $650-$1200 because St Lukes charges by the amount of time you use the room, also. They told me that and I argued about it. lol Bloated....it was about a week or so, I think. I had shoulder pains for close to two weeks. I don't remember for sure how long it took before I could drink alot---actually, I don't really remember having problems drinking. Maybe they put it on you tightened? I know that I couldn't eat more than a 1/4 cup of food at one sitting for about 2-3 weeks. 1/4 cup of pudding and I was so stuffed. You have a good Memorial Day weekend too! We are going to Cleveland to see the Princess Diana exhibit. :clap2:

Glad to hear things went well during surgery, Lisa. About the gas pain...I took Gas-X also and it did seem to help me. The doctor told me to, JoLynn told me it wouldn't make a difference. lol It did, though. :-)

You aren't the only one. It irritates me too. Having the band definitely is not a trick or a gimmick. It is hard work and for anyone to say otherwise is nutty!

:banana: Here's my blog---needs an update really bad. :embarassed: http://bandintheusa.blogspot.com/

Thanks! By the way, love the blog! I have one on there for my weightloss and it's nowhere near as cool as yours is. I need to update mine (last entry was January 2006 :paranoid ).

You're welcome. If either of you have any questions, I'll help if I can.

Hey Lisa, I am from Sandusky.:biggrin1:

Lisa, I have talked with Dr Curry personally through email and he has no problem taking patients of other band doctors. I know there are doctors in Ohio who won't do that but I had written his office about my concerns regarding the treatment of the people I discussed in my previous post---he wrote me personally and assured me that he does not berate patients or talk down to them. He told me to feel free to call and schedule an appointment, he'd be glad to see me. I don't personally know anybody who have had problems with his surgery other than the journal link I gave you. I wish I could give you more info regarding that. I never had the run ins that some patients have had with Oweis and Duckett but as a nurse who has been treated in a crappy manner by doctors at work, I just would never stand for my own doctor treating me that way. Oh---the insurance. Yes, they do the surgery together and here was the stickler for me: I had Anthem at the time and was denied three times. I appealled to the state board and they forced Anthem to pay for the surgery. Well, Anthem paid---but only one doctor. The doctor's office tried to bill my insurance company $5,000 for each doctor in addition to hospital charges. Anthem refused. They said they were not paying for two doctors on a surgery typically done by one doctor. At one point, I received a bill for the $5,000. Anthem told me to tell them no, they have a contract with my insurance company and have to take what they get. All in all, I think I ended up paying $100 or $150 to Dr Oweis for his part while Anthem covered Duckett. The first fill is supposed to be free and is included in the surgery price. The fluoro at St Lukes for the first fill is NOT included however. I was billed over $800 for the fluoro (my insurance would not pay it)! I heard other places are nowhere near that pricey. Each subsequent fill (as of 2005) is done in the office and is $150. If I remember right, I think Dr C said the first fill with him (including fluoro) is $300 and each one after is $150. If you have any more questions, feel free to drop me a line. Good luck on Monday!!

I am a nurse from Sandusky. I was banded on 04/05/04 by Drs. Duckett and Oweis. I initially lost 101 pounds. I have since gained some back, mostly because I have not tackled the food demons like I thought I had. I am hoping to get a fresh start again. Not knowing what else to say except hello to all fellow Ohio Bandsters!

I want to preface this by saying this is not to scare you or worry you but rather keep you informed. I am a nurse and I feel a patient has a right to be informed about everything. I had surgery by Drs. Duckett and Oweis. They are good surgeons. In the beginning, they were very personable and approachable. However, I have had *two* friends who have experienced their wrath over not losing enough weight because their low weightloss screwed up the doctors statistics. They do not like having their "average weightloss" stats drop. I had surgery in 2004. I initially lost 101 pounds without a fill. I had a fill in June 2005 and have not been back since. I had several things come iup in my personal life and I dealt with it by eating and yes, gaining weight. After seeing what my two friends went through (getting yelled at, being threatened that they would not get a fill, etc., etc.) I have opted NOT to return to their office. Being verbally berated (and they both had similar stories and neither one knows the other) is not worth it. Heck, I am still owed money from the office---they charged me for the so called "free fill". When I called them and pointed it out, they apologized and said they'd cut a check refudning me. That was in 2005 and it still hasn't come. I know I should probably call and complain but it's just not worth the hassle. When I am able to come up with the money, I plan to drive 4 hours to Cincinnati and have Dr Curry do my next fill. Several of Duckett/Oweis patients have been going to Curry for fills after surgery. Here is a journal regarding one patient's experience. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/journal.php?do=showjournal&j=137

Taken in 2002 Taken in 2005 I have gained some back since 2005. :phanvan

Is the sleeve another name for Duodoneal Switch? According to my friend, her doctor warned her this could happen. He told her that 30% have this happen. He knew she had past problems with anemia when she was pregnant and he still did the surgery anyway. She has since found out that it's more like 50%-60% have anemia after surgery. Before seeing the hematologist, they had tried pills, liquid ferrous sulfate, shots and twice, she had blood transfusions. Finally, they sent her to the hematologist and he started doing the IVs. She regrets having the DS and wishes she had had the band instead.:eek:

It must run in the family. lol But, you are really tall. I am 5'7, long torso but short legs. :eek: I have no clue where to look.

That video is ridiculous. She is not taking responsibility for what she puts in her mouth. She is looking for the easy way out. I have gained some of mine back and I take complete responsibility. Nobody held a gun to my head screaming "eat!". I did it of my own accord. I have a friend who I love dearly and she had the DS done. She lost 140 pounds and can eat *anything* and not gain...but, that is because the DS is based on malabsorption. And, while she has had no weight gain in five years, she is so severely anemic that she has to have IV ferrous sulfate pumped into her every single week for the next two months! And, was told last week, she will need this about once every 2-3 months for the rest of her life.