Just wanted to say....

thank you to all of the bandsters out there who still post and let all of us newbies share in your success.  Everytime I see a ticker that says how much weight you have lost, or you mention that you have been in maintenence mode for XX amount of months or years, you inspire me.  You show me that there is a light at the end of this tunnel and that the life I want to live (the longer healthier life) is within reach. 

I do appreciate reading posts/threads/studies about both failures and successes.  The failed ones will teach me what not to do or atleast what to watch out for as a sign of something problematic, and the successful ones give me so much hope for the future.  I write it all down or print it out so that I can look back on it later.  If someone is having an issue and posts about it and finds resolution I put it in the book so that when I get my band if I begin to see those symptoms I will know if it is something that I need to get to the ER asap or if there is an easy remedy for it.  I also do it because I need to know these things, and I want to be able to help someone else later if I can. 

I appologize in advance if I ask a question that has been answered 50 times or more in here, sometimes I will miss something I want to know as much as I can about this while I am still in the referral stages.  As I get closer to my first appointment with bariatrics (this month woohoo!) Im sure I will be filled with questions, I appologize if I ask too many or bombard a single post with a ton of questions. 

Thank you for sticking around and helping us newbies out.  I really do appreciate it so much.  Congratulations to everyone who has had even the tiniest of success with their bands, a loss is a loss and you deserve a huge pat on the back for every pound of weight lost, every clothing size dropped, every NSV you reach.  You are an inspiration to us all 

Ok I just re-read that and I also want to thank the people here who have not had success or who have had issues or failure with their bands, thank you for coming in here and sharing it all with us.  I am sure it is not your fault so please do not think I was saying that.  I am so sorry that you are going thru whatever it is you are going thru with or because of you band.  My heart goes out to you because nobody deserves to be in pain or suffering from this or anything.  But I thank you for posting about it because we do need to know both sides of this.  It helps us to see what can happen and what to do if we experience certain things. 

I never used to be the type of person who would go to the doctor for things until they got really bad, I realize now that I have to change that, not only for my overall health but because things can go very wrong very fast with this or any WLS and if I let my doctor know immediately, then something can be done to help.  Again Im sorry for what is happening to you, but I thank you for keeping us informed about it so that we can keep a close eye out for any issues that may arise for us.  And I wish you success whether you decide to revise to another WLS or you decide to have the band removed and go it on your own.  You are also an inspiration because it takes a very strong person to go thru all of this, and I thank you for sharing it with us.

Part of my committment to myself (and to my surgeon) before I had surgery, was to 'show up'.

His office is about 45 minutes from my home (I work at home) --- and there is a nurse-practitioner who does fills and is about 10 minutes from my home.  I asked my surgeon if I could go to the N/P.

He said -- "maybe after the first year, but I believe that the number one factor in WLS success is follow up -- especially with the band.  I want to see you regularly -- whether you need a fill or not, I want to weigh you and check you out and follow your progress.  I want to share your success and help you if you are struggling".

I have had to make the time for my appointments (every 3 - 4 weeks at the beginning, now every 4 - 6 months) -- but it has been worth it to make the time (and spend the money).  I am worth the effort.

There is something to be learned from everyone and from everything. 
Even if what you learn is, "I don't want that".

 I scoured these boards, and other WLS forums.  I learned that most of the 'scary stories' started out with someone having their band too tight for too long -- reflux, slippage, etc.

I am not blaming the patient -- I am just saying that it seemed as though many people let that type of stuff go on for too long -- and then had 'bad stuff happen'.  So, I made a vow that I would not allow my band to be too tight for more than 1 day.
If I cannot eat real food for more than 1 day, I call my doctor and get into see him.
If I have a stuck episode, I go back to fluids for a day -- to let my poor little pouch/esophogus rest and recover.  Then, if I cannot eat real food --- I call.

My surgeon is a 'champ' -- he makes time for emergencies (saw me in his office on New Year's night because I could not keep anything down). 

Read posts, take what works for you -- leave the rest and try not to get caught up in the drama.

Your very welcome. I wish u all the best with your WLS.

Hi there!
I, like you, began reading posts in here long before my surgery.  As a result of that I felt like I really knew both sides of the band and could make my decision with my eyes wide open.  I knew what might happen when things go wrong.  I knew what to do and what not to do.  I learned so much from everyone.  I will admit there was a time that with all the surgery wars that can go on, my head was spinning a bit.  I went through many highs and lows.  When I was low I posted about it and got such warm replies.  I have always been the type that wears her heart on her sleeve and I have learned to ask for help when it's needed.  Help was always there for me here on OH.   I thank everyone for that.

I'm still new in this journey but so far everything has gone well thankfully.  I feel blessed to have my band and I know that God directed me down this avenue so that I could experience the freedom from food obsession that I never had before.  I'm not saying that everyday is easy and I certainly have not been perfect always in my food choices but 95% of the time I am. 

I certainly hope all goes well for you too turtle, there definitely IS a light at the end of the tunnel.  Never, ever lose your hope.

Lyn.