Bidmc

[SherryW 4]

Congratulations Dez :thumbup: Geesh I can't even imagine having a baby and then having to move 2 weeks later. God bless ya and I hope all is going well with the move and Nicholas Hugs

[Mergatroy 0]

I was banded in March, and quickly lost 30 pounds. Now it's not going so well. I'm getting a fill on Wednesday (Dr. Jones), and I'm excited and hopeful. I haven't been feeling any restriction.

I need more support. I'm 57, a single adoptive mother of a wonderful 17 year old boy. I'm preparing for empty nest. That's a lot what the band is about for me. Using this year to get myself ready to reenter the bigger world. I've been keeping myself so sheltered all these years, with my focus on being a Mom. Now, time for me, and I don't know how to handle it.

[NewBeginnings2018 81]

Hey Mergatroy! The weightloss definitely does slow down but it will still come off. Finding the right restriction is key. Have you thought about going into the monthly support groups at BIDMC? It's a bit far for me, so I typically don't go, but if you're in Newton that's probably not a bad ride.

I think the band forces us to deal with all sorts of issues we have, and it's a growth process. It's great that you know what you are struggling with and I'm sure just talking about it will help you work through it. I think one thing a lot of overweight people share is that we take care of everyone else before ourselves and it's ok for it to be time for you!

[liquidbluegal 0]

Good Morning Everyone!

I am getting banded on August 11th by Dr. Jones! I am super excited and have had a positive experience with the whole team. I am located in E.Prov, RI but I work in Taunton, MA. I noticed a lot of talk about local support groups. Do they really exist? Heather

[Mergatroy 0]

I wrote a few weeks ago when I wasn't doing well. I had my fill and all is well. I love this feeling of not needing much food!

I still would like to find a support group. I'm in Newton. Anyone?

[SherryW 4]

Hey everyone...it's been a long time since I posted in here and I was hoping we could get the support group back for another get together. We tried this before but, maybe the summer months played a role in us not being able to get a date straight. Anyone interested in a support group in Taunton, MA again? I'm willing to host again if you'd like. Let me know

Sherry

[BigMama 0]

I have met both Dr. Schneider and Dr. Jones at BIDMC. I liked them both so I really don't have a preference. I am hoping for December surgery. I began my journey in September with the 2 info sessions. Oct. brought the blood work-up and the EKG. Then in Nov. I had the ultrasound, psych evaluation, nutritionist and stress test. Now I am just waiting for a surgery date. I live quite a distance from the hospital (3 hrs) so the traveling has been quite extensive...but I'm sure it will be well worth it. The Bariatric Unit is very nice and the staff is wonderful and very accommodating!

Edited November 7, 2008 by BigMama

[SherryW 4]

Hey folks...I'm sorry I haven't put together a date for a support group get together. I've been going through heck with reflux. Went for a slight unfill in August...then tried a fill again the day before Thanksgiving but, it was a no go and finally an Upper GI was ordered. It showed a slight slip/prolasps. My pouch is bigger than before too so revision surgery is set for 12/18/08 for me. Hopefully I can get our support group going again in Jan/Feb if you're interested. It will be held at my place in Taunton,MA

[musicfrommyheart 0]

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

[SherryW 4]

Hello Music, I'll try to help with the questions if I can.... I've had my band since 2/13/06 done at BIDMC with Dr. Jones.

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?

No known dangers when the band is in for more than 5 years that I"m aware of. Older bands had some issues but, not all of them for all patients. I know a few people who's bands have been in since 2003=2004 and they are doing just fine.

2. Why did you all choose the LAP-BAND® over the mini gastric bypass?

Can't say I know what you're talking about when you say mini gastric bypass. I only know of the full bypass and the gastric sleeve other than lapband. I chose lapband because I didn't want to "cut" any organs...just seemed to drastic to me and I like the idea that if something should happen and this has to come out my organs are all the same as they were prior to surgery. Just a personal choice really. I also didn't like the fact of purposely malnutrioning my body because that is what the bypass does...I liked knowing I could still have some of the things I liked occassionally without "dumping" too. The band kept me from over doing any meal because whether eating the good or bad stuff you can over do it but the pouch above the band only allows so much or you'll PB or get that nice golfball in the chest. Many other reasons but, personal really....everyone has their reasons for whatever surgery they choose

All I can say is do your research and do it well before having any surgery. So many folks come in here having had the surgery with no clue on what they just did to themselves and their body, the bandster rules of eating, etc. Pretty scarey stuff. There is plenty of information here but, ALWAYS go with the information provided by your physician and/or bariatric group. BIDMC offers alot of information online and at the center. The nutrionists are also so very very helpful.

Good luck!

[SherryW 4]

Oh I wanted to add too......I've never heard of the band just coming apart inside someone. It doesn't slip just because someone ate too much either...happens for all kinds of reasons and you may or may not realize why. I for one don't know why my band slipped. My husband thinks he remembers me getting sick, 24 hour bug, throwing up really hard but honestly I can't remember. I was in an auto accident this past May and that could have done it or the stress...lots of stress makes you tense and that could have done it. Don't really know...it's not a bad slip but bad enough to give me reflux every night to the point of me feeling like I"m drowning. We did an upper GI and found it then. They have to cut the band I have now out and place a new one higher up. I asked why they can't just move this one back into place and Dr. Jones said they don't do that they replace it. Dr. Lin (intern) said all the literature from the lapband maker says it should be replaced not moved or repositioned so thats what they do.

If you're nervous about it becoming loose or unbuckled you should ask at the information session or when you meet with the doc. They'll help you will all your questions too

[musicfrommyheart 0]

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

[SherryW 4]

We haven't gotten together again since Dez had her baby or since we had the first meeting. It seems everyone was too busy or something. I tried to get a group together but it never came to pass. I'm still open to hosting if we can get a group together but, we'll have to wait now until I heal up. I can honestly say even with what I've been going through I'd do it all over again...but speak up faster and demand testing so I wouldn't waste a year to 1.5 years with no weightloss. It's a great "tool" to help the weightloss journey...just remember it's just a tool. We still need to do the work, including myself. I need to get my butt moving more and I know that whether or not I wake up with another band...it just has to happen. Move to lose.

[dezadoo 0]

ok - i am a loser and not weight either. i am slacking on keeping up with all the bidmc bandsters and with my weight loss. i need ot get my band refilled but having nicholas is very time consuming -great! but time consuming and i have promised myself i will go after the new year. i am all up for a meeting even if i am driving down to the south shore, it's worth it to see everyone! i am attaching a pix of my not so little guy. i miss you all and i'd better see some replies soon! hugs to all!

dez

[SherryW 4]

Awwww so cute and what a great Santa for his first picture with Santa :tongue_smilie:

We'll book a date on a get-together after the New Year Holiday