Everyone has jumped ship! Hope they went to AGB Heaven!!!

If I still had my band, I'd be tempted to go there too, but in my heart of hearts I am a realist.  I mean I like playing nice but "fake", "fraud", "ignorant" is something else. LB Heaven is that place where all banded are free from any troubles and have 100% success  . . . .  and God forbid you don't and speak of it, they twist your neck so hard you head for the hills.  This is true, I read this forum with disbelief - surprised at what people didn't know or didn't want to know and how they placed the blame solely on the banded if they had "issues"  Even our known here are "superstars there with Mega churches"  Who'd want to lose that one way audience if it were working in your favor.  Some don't need the truth.

I swear I didn't think that place was real but it is.  I personally was creeped out.  Like no way I'd wanna go a VSG forum where all was right and there was no wrong.  Where the heck would I fit in?  I've always been troubled.  Yes there are times when I have short and very long periods  of feeling "normal" in terms of my food and weight but to have issues is my initial mold.  Basically I was born round.  I have not gained weight due to pregnancies, drastic eating change, water retention, getting older, menopause, lack of movement etc.  This is some deep seeded crap.  No way I'd have WLS and be cured of all of my fat/eating ills.  I struggle,  that is truth and I'd like to continue to be able to share that so that I can better be able to get through it.

Today I am in terrible shape even with my sleeve.  I feel like I am 500lbs - I swear I feel like there is no one in this world fatter than I.  My food is "out of control".  My world is dark.  But see, it isn't about my body or my food or my sleeved stomach not working in my benefit.  For me, this is about losing My Mom this time of year last year and not having any control over that.  This is about missing her terribly.  Yet my anxiety, my issues ALWAYS translate to my eating/body.  I am an emotional/compulsive eater who does require lifelong self-care, re-evaluation, re-positioning, adjustment.  And to do any of that, I've got to face the real no matter how terrifying.

I like being happy but not in the "happy town" kind of blowing  ribbons and cotton candy out the butt sort of way.

I wanna go to the transition from this life to heaven though  - when it is my time.  Until they I will keep aware of what is really going on and I am glad there are others who can share and tell it.

And mechanical failure of the Band - do we call it that?  Well,  OMG  no need for me to begin that . . .

Awww Zee I'm sorry about you missing your Mom

As for LAGB Heaven...uh uh...it no exist darlin. and the rest of them went to Hell, oh I'm sorry...I meant to say, They went to their

" Happy " place

Hi Zee,

I'm sorry about your mom, too. I lost my grandma (who was like my mom since my mom was just a teenager when she had me) on April 15 many years ago and I have a hard time around now, too. I get what you're saying.  Do you have any counseling available at all? Even if it's just for around this time when you start to really have the feelings of missing your mom terribly?

As for the everyone jumping ship... well, I'd rather communicate with people who are honest and truthful than people who have no empathy or understanding of how much damage a band can do.

"Mechanical failure of the band" just means that your guts are chewed up and you're in for a world of hurt, in my opinion. Euphemisms, all of it. Just like "PB'ing" is a euphemism for, "puking." Productive burp makes it sound almost dainty... like you've accomplished something. "Ooh, I was so productive with that burp! I'm so proud! Look, I took a picture on Instagram!"

I know I'm going to keep on yammering about the band until it's removed from the market.  I'm not sure why there are still people who think it's harmless. It's denial... I was in it for a while, too.

Layla hugs.  I know what you mean.  My mom and I didn't have a wonderful relationship, but when she passed 12 weeks after her Dx of pancreatic cancer, I missed her desperately.  I still do, almost 27 years later.  

Hang in there 

Steph

So sorry about this time of year and the loss of your Mom!  I feel that way in January.  Wasn't easy with the band out and the liquid diet for the sleeve.  I wanted food to comfort me thru that time and couldn't.

I understand!

I just wanted to add,  I don't believe everyone has jumped ship.  There are over 200 views on some problem post and over 100 on others.  People are still coming for the info, just not posting.  So the message is still getting out.

That's interesting!  Gotta love us, the last bunch of us visually standing and extending a hand.  You guys are awesome! 

*SQUEEZE*

I just reread your post and saw that you said your mom passed just last year. I'm so sorry. I hope I didn't sound cavalier in my response!

I'm going to be traveling the next few days. I'm sending you good vibes through the airwaves, though!

Not at all Nic! It was a crazy post and I know I do that deliberately .

You are amazing!

Hey Groupon is offering a painting class maybe I should take it.  I do no art and I am an artist (generally not fine art like you -  though I have messed with lots of it in my more earlier days).  Maybe sculpting or singing or something, I got to do something because I miss it like crazy and I just need it, always needed it so badly.

Enjoy your travels.