jancajun

I was just wondering if there are any bandsters out there in Florida. I met some great people when I was in TJ, but it would be nice if there were someone around that we could occasionally get together for support and maybe socialize with someone that understands what we are dealing with. It would be very cool to be able to get together.

Hi,

My name is Jan and I live in Land o'lakes, Fl., just north of Tampa. I was banded on Nov. 17,06 and have lost 18 lbs so far. I'd love to get togther with other bandsters. Let's plan something!

jan

Got a call from a friend earlier this week that her bro, who had the surgery about a year ago, was in intensive care. He was throwing up when the band split (from what I understand). He was rushed to the hospital and put in intensive care on heavy morphine. During the night had an emergency surgery to try and repair the damage. Ultimately, he had a part of her stomach removed. The doctors see no improvement. He is dying slowly and in great pain. Unfortunately, he is aware of everything going on and knows it's just a matter of time.dietistheway - You did not supply enough facts in your post for it to be considered factual. Why was he vomiting? How long did he wait to go to the emergency room? What co-morbidities does he have? Who is the manufacturer on the band? Where is the hospital where he is being treated?

To post information with phrases such as "The doctors see no improvement. He is dying slowly and in great pain. Unfortunately, he is aware of everything going on and knows it's just a matter of time." is inflammatory, speculative, hearsay and unfortunate at best. If this is a factual event give the details leading up to the band failure. Without more detail you are truly doing a disservice to this man for reporting it here as you have.

"What I need to understand is why anyone would put themselves through something so horrible just to "look good". First if this is not a factual story then your question is moot. If this man decided to be banded he is the one to ask why he went through with the procedure. He can help you understand. If as it sounds is rhetorical then point taken.

"I was 60 pounds overweight, went on a diet and in a year looked great. Anyone can diet; the problem is everyone looks for the easy way out and put their lives in danger. I will guarentee that this is one of million stories of weight loss surgery gone bad. What happens is that people who have had serious complications generally don't post or are dead!" And so you show your true colors in your final paragraph. You have made up your mind already. You are not asking a legitimate question. You have used this hopefully un-factual story to promote your own anti-weight-loss surgery agenda.

"DIET DIET DIET! For the money you are spending, get yourself into a weight loss clinic, hire yourself a personal trainer, DO ANYTHING BUT DON'T GET SURGERY!

You need to be happy with yourself on the inside. Do you think getting skinny is going to solve your problems? NO!

I say to you OPEN YOUR MIND, OPEN YOUR MIND, OPEN YOUR MIND, For the time you are spending, get yourself into a non-judgmental state, hire yourself a therapist. DO ANYTHING BUT TELL EVERYONE HOW TO LIVE THEIR LIVES! You need to be open with yourself on the inside. Do you think judging others is going to solve your problems? NO!

Thank you so much for your post. Many have tried to lose the 60 lbs. as you say you have just to gain it back and more. Their are complications that can arise even from losing 60 lbs. on your own. Many people feel as you do and have never opened their minds to learning what the lapband surgery is truly about. It is a tool to teach the host individual how to eat so they can live healthy happy lives. The band is truly a educational tool and not a way to bypass nutrition or absorption of the food you eat. It teaches the mind to eat slowly and in the correct quantities when correctly used by its host. Combine that with working with a nutritionist to teach you what to eat and you can be successful. A question for you. Would you please give us more information on this man in the hospital? You can email me personally with his name and the hospital he is in. If he truly is hurting as a fellow bander I would like to let him know there are people who care and that want to know the truth of his condition. It is truly sad if this mans condition is as you stated. What is sad also is how you chose to report it here in the manner you have. Kevin

Thank you Kevin for speaking up for all of of us bandsters.

jan