Belated happy anniversary - I'm not on here often but thought I'd check in! Good for you keeping it off - congratulations and keep up the great work!

For me the revision was the best decision I could had made - granted I'm not working at the exercise as hard as I should be - I am down 76 pounds in 10 months and am totally thrilled. I never get things stuck - I've thrown up maybe two times and that was early out - I can not tolerate some foods but it's a learning curve - just like the band was - but with the band for me the learning curve never made sense because something would be fine one day and horrible the next - the bypass is consistant - if it's not good today - it probably won't be the next and if it's good today - it's reliable - I really wish the band had worked for me as it does for some - but unfortunately it didn't - the bypass has (knock on wood) so far been a good choice. Don't know what kind of advice you are looking for but thought I'd share some positive experience with you!

Best of luck

Hi All - Hope you all enjoy the holiday weekend! I'm doing well, my loss has slowed down a lot - more then I am happy with this soon out from surgery - but I'm down 75 pounds (or so given the day) - I still have a journey ahead but I am so thrilled I revised to the bypass. I am still not exercising the way I should be... one day at a time!

I actually wore a pair of capris that had a size 12 tag on them! I'm mostly in size 14 now - which is a long way from tight size 24! I know to reach my goal of mostly wearing size 8 I need to get my butt moving - and I know I will it's just a matter of time!

Hope you are all well!

Hi Paula - Sorry to hear that you have to endure pain and have to figure out how to get your body to absorb properly -but I'm thrilled to hear what a great attitude you have about the situation!

This board has changed a lot and is very inactive - but I still check in.

Thanks Nancy! I'm scared to see Dr. R - he wanted me down 18 pounds by the next time I see him and I'm only down 4 and I only have 2 weeks before my appointment... I don't want to face him and feel like a failure when I feel so good most of the time... he is very brutal!

I always had issues with chicken and the band - I couldn't eat it - once in a great while I would try it and 99% of the time - STUCK - it was horrible - I hope you get it unstuck soon! I remember it all too well -not fun...

Congratulations Rich - so happy for you!

Well it is PUBLIC knowledge now!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!

I'm so happy for you - may your journey to motherhood be easy!

Sending blessings to you and your little "bean" -
when are you due??

One of the reasons I switched from Dr. Barba's practice was because of his office staff. For some reason that man can not surround himself with the right people to manage his practice - the turnover was unbelievable - the customer service was inferior - they MOVED the office and NEVER sent notification to the patients. I'm so sorry you have to be a victim of incompetence - I can't even fathom the emotional hell you're going through.....

My husband - (who is a normal weight person)has been having an unexplained pain in his left abdominal area - I had an appointment with Dr. R and was very upset about what was going on with my husband - he hasn't had a resolution of his issues since November! Dr. R offered to help!! I faxed all the tests and he reviewed them and requested to see my husband - they fit him in yesterday - he's ordered an ultrasound for my husband - he isn't exactly sure what is wrong - but the point is - THE MAN CARES and is willing to do what it takes to find out the source of his pain - (unlike the GI "specialist" who said keep taking the same medicine that hasn't worked for the last month for 3 more months and come see me - what a JERK!).

His reputation is on-target - he's not warm, he's not fuzzy - but the IMPORTANT thing is he genuinely CARES about people. I have so much respect for him - his follow-up is absolutely unrivaled by any - he is head and shoulders above his peers. He is not a money motivated person and it shows - I'm so thrilled I switched surgeons and my path lead me to Dr. Raftopolous!

11:45 - too bad!

He is very confident and VERY stern - he wants you to do EXACTLY what he tells you to do - for example he told me he wants me at a GYM working out on a treadmill - and he gets annoyed when I tell him I am working out at home - I know he wants the best for his patients - I want the best for me too! He is unbelievable with his follow-up after surgery - I had lap band with Dr. Barba and he never once called me - Dr. R was there right after surgery - came to my room in the hospital and called me for 3 straight days after - he wanted to know how much I drank, how my drain was, etc. - extremely thorough - I have complete trust and confidence in his abilities as a surgeon - I think the man is brilliant. He is definitely not a warm and fuzzy person - but he doesn't have to be - you can feel confident in your decision with him as a surgeon - his office staff is also great and I adore Judy the nutrionisht - she's the BEST!!!

Best of luck on your journey!!

That's a great question! Why is it focused on one area - hair is hair afterall! So far haven't lost any of mine but thankfully I have a ton.....

Does EVERYONE lose hair or are there some that escape it?