Introducing Myself

  Hi all!  My name is Bridget and I'm here because I had my lap band removed in an emergency surgery last Monday.  I was in the hospital for eight days...so I've been  home a little less than a week.  I'm still very weak and sore, but I'll get by!  On my last day in the hospital, my doctor (whom I love...he's been my fill doc as I had my surgery in Mexico 15 months ago) said to me, "I think you should consider gastric bypass.  I can't say another band wouldn't erode again.  However, I can almost guarantee you that you WILL gain your weight back if you don't have another surgery."  Well...I'm about as stubborn and head-strong as they come and this absolutely ticked me off!    I will be a statistical anomoly and show him!  I will be in that small per cent who DO keep the weight off.  So...here I am!   Personal stuff: I'm married, have three children (ages 23, 22, 17), am an English teacher and an animal rescue person (with nine of my ten furkids being rescues).  I love to cook, read, and play on here.  I guess that's pretty much all about me!!!   Hugs...

Oh I know YOU!!!!!!   One of my faves from the LB board!!!!!!!!  We have spoken before! I have two words for the beloved doctor:  HAIL NO!  Bridget will be getting a plan and more support buddies and WILL BE KICKIN SUM MAJOR BUTT!!!!! Jump in here and whine with the best of us and slap us around when we need it!

BTW, that is a trip that your band had to be removed; I'm sure there has been/will be some emotional repercussions for you there? I am also sorry for the second surgery you had to face to remove it.  BUMMER. Deb was lurking here...she has not popped out lately...but she faces the same issues.

Deb H?  Yes...she and I have taken comfort in our mutual plight!  I've had one hell of a month.  I lost my mother four weeks ago today.  My band a week and two days later.  I feel like I had just processed Mother's passing when I was knocked down AGAIN!  Again...thanks for the welcome, Neecee!!!

Neecee....I thought I KNEW you!  How are ya, girlie???  I had two words for the doctor, but they aren't exactly polite for this board...well, except the YOU!  part!  lol

Thanks for the support!  I will need it and feel like I can do this if I have help.  And of course I'll slap ya around when ya need it!  I'm a trained professional!  lol  Kidding!  I'm a good teacher!

Hi Bridget and welcome to the board, I love your attitude!!!  Definitely work on being in the minority that DO keep it off.  We will be here to help you and overcome your struggles with you. Take all you've learned and try hard to put it to work for you.  All we can do is take it one day at a time. Good luck! Donna

Donna...ten years ago, my best friend embarked on a weight loss and health program of her own making.  She lost and has kept off 100 lbs +.  I KNOW it can be done!  lol  I just have to do it.  I agree about taking all I've learned.  I believe that's the only way to make it stick.  To make it FIT me!  So...I'm here! 

Hi Donna, After reading Bridget's post I was interested in the folks who are anomaly wannabe's. What a discovery when I read your blog. I read it and was so inspired. I know from today's blog that you are struggling but you are allready the real deal. You took it off and kept it off for 2 years. The people who I found that have maintained 5+ years all said their journeys are marked by ups and downs. It is their daily commitment and honesty that led to sustained succes. Like you I am taking it a day, sometimes a minute, at a time I am impressed by what you accomplished and hope to follow in your footsteps. Thank you for your blog. Warm greetings from Chunkytown. Marky

Hi Marky, Thank you for your kind words. You can't imagine how they made me smile.  I do need to stop being hard on myself and take that energy and focus it where it needs to be focused.  I am very happy with my success and I will begin to focus on that instead of focusing on what I have yet to attain. Good luck to you as well.  A day, an hour, a minute at a time.  Whatever it takes!!!

Hi Bridget, First off: I am grateful that you survived your band erosion. Second I appaud your attitude.  I would love to say that I am new but I have lurked on this site since 2002. I am in the process of reseraching WLS. I have access to a lot of health care stats so I have been a researching fool for 6 months. While doing this I have adjusted my food intake and lost 40lbs. I have also met 5 WLS surgeons and contacted 3 others. So I have now diagnosed myself as a weight loss industry junky. The one place that consistently inspires me is this site. In the course of this journey I have been in contact with people who amaze me. They are the kind of people who in the face of set backs, pain and discouraging stats dig deep and find their power.  Your post was an example of this. I hope you will keep posting. I hope you will heal soon and join the thousands who are statistical anomalies. Much love from another stubborn, statistical anomaly wannabe. Marky