From Janet in BLue Springs, MO

Hello all! I haven't posted in awhile! So sorry, but some might remember that I have gone back to college for nursing! I'm currently taking 2 internet classes this summer. Atleast it's 6 more credits out of the way!  Anyway, I just wanted to check in whith you all and send lots of positive thoughts your way!  I began my lap band journey 4 years ago this week! I was almost 400 pounds and am maintaining an 100 pound loss. I stay right around the 280 mark, give or take a few. Still wanting to get down to 190. I need some support in this area! I do well with eating for awhile and then the winter just kills me and I revert back to eating crap! Easy to do with the band. My diabetes is still with me and I kind of regret a little not getting rny, but I have a daughter with special needs and the band seemed to have less side effects for me. My surgeon who place the band never even gave me my first fill. He up and left to practice in the Eastern U.S. So, I kind of fell through the cracks for awhile until a partner started doing my fills. I've had few fill over the years, but they must be done under fluro. The fill doc only practices one wednesday a month for fills at Truman Hospital Hill.I must now pay for my fills on my own and since I'm a fulltime student and have a special needs kid I can hardly afford whatever they would charge me. Oh anyway, let me stop. If I had to do it over again I would ask the surgeon if he were planning on sticking around the practice for awhile. Not that he would of told me. I remain positive that at somepoint I can get a portion of my next 100 pouds off. I've already begun swimming with my daughter. This is my fave thing to do. I feel free in the water. So happy band versary's everyone who is out there. Love here from anyone band or not! Thanks guys! Have a great day! Janet in Blue Springs

Hi Janet so good to have you back on the board. Maybe this will help you in some way to continue to eat right and get more of the weight off that you want to do.  How much more do you need on your schooling? If nothing else we can all give you lots of encouragement and love and prayers.

I Jan! Thanks for the post. I appreciate it! I have alot more prereqs to do depending on what BSN program I want.  I'll be taking College Algebra and a History class this fall. I'm taking 6 credits this summer. Another History and a Composition class. I have A & P, Micro, and Chem.  Also Sociology, and a few others. I try to just concentrate on one semester at a time.   Hope all is going well for you! Are still working as a nurse? The last time we chatted, you had just accepted a new position. Well, I have to run.  Too much stuff to do and not enough time! Janet

Hi Janet; Happy Anniversary! 100 lbs is awesome! You have come to the right place for support and encouragement. Stay with us and you won't feel so alone. I have a niece that is special needs so I understand. It takes alot to raise and your in school too. Its great you love to swim, it benefits both of you. Hang in there it takes awhile with the band but you can do it.

Hi thanks for the encouragement! I appreciate it! I know it takes awhile with the band and I haven't always done what I need to do either. So I'm back moving a bunch more and I feel better.  How old is your niece with special needs? My daughter is 8 years old and very active! This is good, but it just wears me out! I'm an older Mom at 39 and it's hard some days! Thanks again for the post! Have a good day! Janet

My niece is 28 and has Downs. She is a sweetheart. It is hard raising any special needs child. But, I think God only gives them to the special Moms! You will soon be able to keep up with her with the weight loss. Just hang in there. We have another bander on this board regularly, that is Debbie M. you might check with her, shes farther out than you are.