Who are you??

[54Shirley 105]

Greetings from sunny South Florida,

I'm Amy. I'm 48; divorced once; no kids. But I do have 2 cats that keep me company. One is old and ill and gets shots etc so that keeps me busy.

Mandy, like you, I also work with the MR/DD population. I am a therapist/behavior analyst. I have 2 degrees - two careers. They do overlap a lot though.

I am only 2 weeks post op so just started enjoying Soup and yogurt. Trying to figure out how to have a social life that doesn't revolve around food.

A few posts back (sorry I can't remember who) mentioned bad aftercare. Can you tell us more about that. I want to make sure that I know what to expect for good aftercare.

Amy

That's me,,, Shirley.

I hope this sums it up.

i AM LOOKING FOR A SURGEON TO REMOVE THIS PIECE OF JUNK ! !

I GOT ON THE PHONE TODAY WITH THE PERSON IN CHARGE "DR. HASN'T GROWN A PAIR YET !" THEY TOLD ME THE REASON FOR MY FAILURE WAS BECAUSE I KEPT EATING Cookies, AND CAKE. DENIED NICOTENE,ALCHAOL,AND CAFFEINE, AND HE DID EVERYTHING OCCORDING TO THE BOOK. SO THE BAND DID NOT BLOW IN HIS OFFICE.

SO I TOLD MY SIDE "THE TRUTH !" HE NEVER EVEN BOTHERED TO CHECK ME IF I COULD SWOLLOW BY OFFERING ME A GLASS OF WATER! HE CLAIMS HE DID, BUT I WENT HOME AND TRIED TO SWALLOW Water,AND COULDN'T, SO I WENT BAK. HE CLAIMS I ATE A BOLOGNA SANDWICH, IT GOT STUCK, SO HE TOOK THE FILL OUT???????????? ARE YOU SERIOS,,, I GET A FILL, AND I AM GOING TO GO HOME AND EAT A SANDWICH... NOT TO MENTION WHO CAN EAT bread? I SURE CAN'T. HE COVERED HIS A** SO BAD IT WAS PATHETIC. I KEPT TO MY JOURNAL, LET'S NOT FORGET A KEY THING THOUGH... I LOST 100LBS. BEFORE I EVEN SEEN HIM, THEN ABOT 20LBS. WITH THE BAND. I DON'T SMOKE, DON'T DRINK,AND CAFFIENE KILLS MY STOMACH, SO I DON'T USE IT. AS YOU CAN SEE, I ALWAYS SAID " GEE AT THIS RATE, I'M A CHEAP DATE" I STUCK TO MY PLAN THE BEST I COULD, AND I GOT SCREWED RIGHT UP THE A** ! SO NOW i WANT THIS OUT.

IF YOU KNOW OF SOMEONE IN NORTHERN, MICHIGAN THAT WOULD TAKE THIS OUT, PLEASE RESPOND.

THOSE OF YOU THAT I SAID PLEASE BE CAREFUL ABOUT YOUR DECESION.... AFTER ALL THE LIES THAT THEY USE TO COVER THEMSELVES, SO THAT IF THERE IS A PROBLEM, THEY ARE COVERED TO THE MAX ! ! I WOULD SAY SERIOUSLET THINK TWICE. LIKE YOU, I WOULD NEVER THINK THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN TO ME. WELL IT DID,, AND HE COVERED HIS TRACKS, AND COULD CARE LESS. HE'S ONLY INTERESTED IN THE MONEY.

This is a post of mine.

After this posted it was about a couple hours later, that a new surgeons office called me and said they would see me. I got a fill in the hospital (NOTHNG WRONG WITH THE BAND),

and I meet him next week. A little nervous. He trained under my old surgeon. I think he contacted him, and said do me a favor,,,,,, Or,,, some luck !

[zinhaa 363]

Isn't color just the coolest thing? I did not realize how much black and brown I owned until I started replacing clothes! Guess I was trying to blend in.

Yeah Color

[babyk 1]

Nice to meet everyone! I just turned 21 last month and am a junior in college! I'm majoring in Sociology and am going to do a program once I graduate to be state certified to be a Drug and Alcohol Addiction Counselor. My father was killed in an alcohol related accident about a year and a half ago and it has changed my mind about wanting to major in Business. I recently got a place with My amazing boyfriend and my younger brother. I am pretty much a mom to my little bro (he's not so little-19 years old) I love hanging out with my family and going to the lake/river or goin out to the desert to watch my boys (bro and boyfriend) race dirtbikes! We live by the beach and I am happy to say that next summer i might've actually lost enough weight to wear a bathing suit down there!

[zinhaa 363]

Nice to meet everyone! I just turned 21 last month and am a junior in college! I'm majoring in Sociology and am going to do a program once I graduate to be state certified to be a Drug and Alcohol Addiction Counselor. My father was killed in an alcohol related accident about a year and a half ago and it has changed my mind about wanting to major in Business. I recently got a place with My amazing boyfriend and my younger brother. I am pretty much a mom to my little bro (he's not so little-19 years old) I love hanging out with my family and going to the lake/river or goin out to the desert to watch my boys (bro and boyfriend) race dirtbikes! We live by the beach and I am happy to say that next summer i might've actually lost enough weight to wear a bathing suit down there!

Good luck on your choice of major I have my CSAC.

[GlitterG 1]

Hi~

My name is Grace, I am 46, I was born and raised in VERMONT (yes it is a state), and now live in TEXAS!!!

I am married and we will be celebrating our19th anniversary tomorrow (11 April) - could have sworn it was longer than that...

We have 5 daughters (29,28,25, and 10 year old twins). 7 grandchildren (4 boys and 3 girls), two pekinese and 1 cat ... (who thinks it is human that we actually raised since birth).

My husband is military - over 20 years and will be retiring in September.

Hopefully I will be banded on 18 April (second attempt)

[newbandlady 3]

Hi...I am Jackie from Maine.....I am almost 46 years old, single, never married mom to an 18 year old daughter. She is graduating high school and off to college next year....well...not really "off" as she has decided to live at home and commute! I was kind of looking forward to a house without a teenager but I guess that won't happen for a while.

My daughter told me she was going to live at home and commute too. Second semester of college she moved into the dorm. So don't give up hope! Mine is coming back for the summer. I miss her when she's gone. I wish she would just commute like she said she was going to!

[lulu losingit 1]

Pam, I went back to get my Masters in Counseling at the age of 44. I am currently being supervised, need to take licensing exam soon and hope to be all set in private practice by 50. It's been a long haul.

Miss men, huh? so you really haven't dated since your 30's. Wow. I haven't been out in 2 years and thought that was unbearably long.

It will all come together. I am getting my ducks in a row ...

[Llyra 3]

This was such a good idea for a thread! I am enjoying reading about everyone.

Thought I should mention that I have lived in Wyoming for 33 years, but I was raised in TEXAS!!!!! My husband and I are heading to the hill country next week to meet friends and to go motorcycle riding. No one knows how much weight I've lost since the last time I was there a year ago. Wonder if anyone will mention it?

I went back to school at 43 to get my certification as a legal assistant. I worked 11.5 years and retired from the job's headaches. My daughter graduates from HS next month, though she is already taking college classes. She moved out for 2 months, then moved home. Guess it is about par for the course any more.

[123crod 170]

I have to say I am from TEXAS too since everyone else did!

Cheri

[HeatherinCA 10]

Hi, I'm Heather, I'm 25 years old, I'm single, I was banded 12/13/10.. I live by myself in the smallest apartment ever in Hollywood California, which is really really fun! Born and raised in California. I am graphic designer, but I have been unemployed for 6 months . (hire me?) I'm obsessed with all things American Idol (Vote for Stefano!!), I love concerts, movies, shopping, tv show tapings and knitting. My car is orange. My favorite place to vacation is Las Vegas! Haha think that about sums it up!

[Ssauce74 0]

Hi my name is Teresa but I have been called Snoop since I was 6 months old. I was born, raised and live in the GREAT STATE OF TEXAS!!!! I'm 37 years old. I have been married to my soul mate for 19 years and we have 3 kids 18,16,14. 2 dogs both chiauaua/shih tzu mixes. I've been big since right after marriage and have recently gotten HUGE! I work as a 9-1-1 operator and stay chained to my desk the entire 8 hr shift. I was banded 3-31-11 and am SO EXCITED!!!! I will say I'm scared of what my new past time should be since it used to be cooking out, going out to eat and drinking!!! my preop weight was 293 and today I'm at 280....not much loss for 20 days of liquid diet, but I'm hopeful it's gonna get going soon! I love this site, I love all your stories and I wish all of us success!

Thanks for hearing my story!

[carlie9475 0]

Hi! My name is Carlie I am 35, I live in Columbus OH originally from RI, moved to Ohio with my huband when he finished up his Navy Commitment. We have been married 6 years on the 23rd of April. No kids yet for us, we have struggled with infertility for many years now. We are approved for an OPEN ADOPTION and are patiently waiting for a Birthmother to choose us. I am a medical bill reviewer for a workers compensation 3rd party administrator.

We travel back and fourth to RI frequently to see my family. We have a amazing Goddaughter her name is Biannca she is 3 and is perfect.

I choose lap band after struggling with my weight for many years, we are also hoping that maybe loosing weight will bring us a miracle (even though my infertility is due to uterus issues)

I am scheduled for surgery May 4 and I am nervous but excited

Here is our adoption site if anyone would like to check us out, also there is a like button below our main picture if you could click that it gets our profile scene more.

http://iheartadoption.org/users/billyncarlie

[slm2007 7]

Hi, I'm Staci. I'm going to be hitting the big 40 in June so the band is a birthday present to ME!

I live in Pittsburgh...Steeler Country and hope that someday I can retire in warmer weather. Love to move to Myrtle Beach or Hilton Head...but I'll probably stay here forever. I work for the courts and used to work for family law attorneys. I really like my job and love the people I work with.

My husband and I have been together almost 17 years but we have only been married for 4 years this coming May.....can't say we rushed into anything. We have an amazing and beautiful son, who is the love, love, love of my life. :heart: He will be 3 at the end of April. And, we have my daughter, who is a spoiled pit bull named, Roxi....

I've been battling my weight what seems like forever. I weighed about 140 in high school and thought I was huge....went on a "diet" and in the school year dropped down to a pretty low weight which wasn't a pretty sight. I gained some back and maintained around 130 for years. THEN, I hit 21.....late nights, drinking and eating late and a really, really bad breakup....on came the pounds. I woke up one morning and was no longer shopping in the regular clothes section and I swore those darn aliens came and stole my body and gave me a loaner...I still have the loaner and it's getting bigger!

I've been considering WLS for about 5 or 6 years but never was comfortable with bypass which is why it has been being "considered" for so long. Then I learned more about this band and thought....hummm, maybe this is my answer. I started the process once before but started a new job and quit because I didn't think it would be appropriate to take time off for surgery the first year at a job.....this time I've stuck to it and I'm getting banded with a Realize band on April 18th, 2011. I'm hoping that by my birthday, I'll be at least 20 pounds lighter.

After having my son in APril 2008, I've decided enough is enough. I'm going to be here for him and I'm going to be able to enjoy him. I'm not going to sit on the sidelines while the other moms are involved because I'm too tired or to darn fat! I only have a few pictures of him with me in the first three years of his life because I'm humiliated to have my picture taken...that is not cool!

I'm so scared of these changes coming ahead, but I've read so many posts on here from a bunch of wonderful and inspirational people that I know I have to roll the dice and try it. I know I'm going to "regret" this for the first month but the first time I buy that smaller pant size or notice that my face isn't as fat....it is all going to be worth it. I love reading the great posts of success and that "you" would do it all over again.

[bonnie51 4]

Hi ! I am Bonnie, 59 years old and live in IOWA. Married 41 years with two daughters and 4 grandchildren.They are everything they are cracked up to be.

I had a Realize band 8/24/2010 and have lost 62 pounds to date. I am at a weight standstill for a couple weeks and getting frustrated. I had a fill about two weeks ago and am pretty tight at 8cc in 11cc band. I really really need to eat slowly and chew. I can get "stuck" on yogurt in the am, but loser in pm.

We have two golden retrievers, treated like children.

I work three days a week, I am an RN and manage a medical office.

I started at 266 and a size 22 and now able to wear a 14W. We are going scuba diving in May in Florida, something I have not done in 8 years due to a big weight gain during stress.

Nice to meet you folks. I know I come to this sight daily for help and inspiration.

[ElizabethNYC 1]

Hey everyone!! My name is Elizabeth most people call me Liz or Beth, totally up to you! I am 27 years old going to be 28 in August and I live in Staten Island, NY (One of the five boroughs of New York City). I am almost a month banded (surgery was March 15th). I am loving it so far and of course I love jumping on that scale seeing those numbers go down. Right now I am a Sales Associate/Project Manager for a translation/Interpreting/Voice Over/Transcription company. I actually HATE my job with a passion and currently looking for something else. I probably wouldn't cry if I was fired and people yell at me for that BUT I tell them to spend one day here and they'll understand. I had the surgery to improve my health and self confidence. I hate being the fat single friend, I want a happy ending one day too! I love Summer time, swimming, hanging out with friends and BBQ's. I have the same friends since HS and I kind of like it that way, less drama, more loyalty. I have a hard time trusting and letting people in so sometimes I come off a little bitchy (ok so SOME people deserve it heheehe). That pretty much wraps up Liz in a nut shell.

Thanks to the the topic starter for this post, I enjoyed reading everyone's post and can't wait to read more.