donali

Ladyg - Your sister needs an unfill IMMEDIATELY. NO ONE should be so tight that they vomit on liquids. And with as many problems as she has already had, having a slipped band due to vomiting is the last thing she needs. Seriously - she needs a reduction in restriction NOW - I cannot stress this enough! She will probably go kicking and screaming - most people reject the idea of loss of restriction, but she needs time to heal. Vomiting creates swelling, which makes her even tighter and more likely to vomit at the next meal. Since she has been banded for so long she probably knows this anyway, but you as her advocate need to help her. I am so sorry about her stroke - that is truly frightening! As far as getting some good nutrition in her, if she is vomiting on liquids you don't have much hope - she's going to end up in the ER on an IV at the rate she's going. Until you can wear her down and get her to have an unfill, here are my suggestions: 1. Immediately switch to liquids only for a few days to a week to try and allow healing and stop the vomiting. 2. Have her do warm liquids like blended Soups - generally warmth helps relax restriction, and she has a better chance of getting warm liquid down and keeping it there. 3. Add Protein powder and liquid Vitamin to those warm soups to help with her nutrition. 4. Continue working on her to get an unfill. She is in a dangerous place. Vomiting is NOT going to help her with her weightloss. Sending you both the best of luck. Maybe she can log-in here herself and get support as well? This is the best group of people around. Good luck.

Hi Bright!! Congrats on your second fill, but bummer that you still feel nothing. In cases where you do not have easy access to a fill doctor, I would highly recommend a fill under fluoroscope so the doc can see exactly how tight you are before he sends you on your merry way. If that is absolutely impossible, take some applesauce with you. Have the doc fill you all the way up (close you completely off - you WILL feel that, trust me! I feels like an elephant is sitting on your chest even though you can still breathe!) and then take a spoonful of applesauce - very tiny, because your pouch will fill very, very quickly when you're completely closed off. When you feel the applesauce is backing up on you, have the doc start backing off the fill (removing some of the saline) so that you can feel the applesauce start passing through. You want to be able to eat a few bites, feel it backing up, wait a few seconds and then have room for another bite. Have the doc keep removing fill until you are passing the applesauce, but slowly. I don't know if he is willing to do it this way, but I've heard the applesauce test is popular among many blind fill docs - a better test than Water, which of course can run through a pretty small opening. Good luck, and let us know how it goes!!! xxoo

EVERY bandster should know that ASPIRIN is the #1 NSAID! NO aspirin, guys, without your doc's express instructions, and make sure he follows you. NSAIDs cause stomach problems in NON-banded people!

Hi Blossom: NO - sliming and the golfball feeling are just that - sliming and the golfball feeling. It means that the pouch is full and the contents are starting to back up into your esophagus, which is that pain/golfball feeling. If your body thinks something is stuck, it starts producing lots of slime to help slip it through - not really helpful in this case!! PB = productive burp, which means whatever was sitting there in your pouch comes back up. Basically vomiting, but usually without the gut-wrenching action or nauseous feeling. Just a reminder to everyone - it is generally accepted "wisdom" to immediately STOP eating after a PB, and do 24 hours of liquids. The causes of the PB, and the PB itself are traumatic to the pouch/esophagus, and usually there is some swelling as a result. Continuing to eat can aggravate that problem, which makes you even tighter, which usually results in more PBing, and the vicious cycle begins. Please, baby your bands, and yourselves... One more reminder - vomiting (PBing) is the NUMBER ONE CAUSE of slippage. So avoid it at ALL costs.

Holy SH%#*!!T!! Dang, Girl!! You could get to China through there! Seriously, where are all your guts and stuff? It looks like you could see all the way to you backbone... :shiver: How am I ever going to sleep again???? :dead xxoo

PAT!! ROTFLMAO!! Okay, do I have to reimburse my company for the smelling salts, and the carpet cleaning? barf! But I couldn't resist looking... Couldn't, couldn't, couldn't... Just like standing on the edge of a cliff, you can feel gravity sucking you ever closer to the edge... lol

No pop-ups here... Sorry, Leatha...

Lisa - You know I have no words to express how grateful I am that you are finally correctly diagnosed, and that erosion is NOT a foregone conclusion for you. Thanks so much for your call - xxoooxxoooxxoo Penni, in case Lisa (in her drugged stupor) forget to tell you, hugs and kisses for being such a saint and taking good care of our girl. You're the best! Happy b-day, Mr. Penni!! Some more NSAID info: <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width=640 border=0><TBODY><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD>http://arthritis.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.coreynahman.com%2Farthritis_drugs_database_nsaids.html Arthritis Drugs Database What is a Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug? As their name implies, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (or NSAIDs, as they are commonly called) are medicines that block or inhibit the body's inflammation process without the use of cortisone or other steroid drugs. The most commonly used NSAID's are aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen. What is a COX II inhibitor? COX II inhibitors are a relatively new family of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDS). Though not necessarily more effective at reducing inflammation and pain than older, traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, they represent an advance over the older drugs because they are believed to cause less stomach irritation. However, they are still classified as NSAIDS. Some doctors recommend that you not take them on an empty stomach. There is a controversy surrounding the use of COX II inhibitors. Some scientists believe that their use is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attack. However, this is still just a theory. If you have concerns regarding COX II inhibitors, discuss them with your doctor. Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Precautions All NSAID drugs (even the newer ones like Vioxx and Celebrex) have the potential to cause irritation, ulceration, bleeding and perforation of the lining of the stomach. For this reason, it is important that you never take any NSAID drug on an empty stomach. NSAID's should be taken with food, preferably after a meal. Mixing Coumadin (Warfarin Sodium) with NSAID drugs such as aspirin or ibuprofen can cause serious complications. Do not mix any NSAID drug with blood-thinners such as Coumadin (Warfarin Sodium) unless your doctor gives you specific instructions on how to do so. Some NSAID drugs have been known to cause drowsiness. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for their opinion and recommendations regarding this matter. What about Drug Interactions? NSAID drugs are known to have few clinically significant drug interactions. Some researchers feel that NSAIDS can weaken the effect of certain blood-pressure medications, but this data needs more extensive corroboration. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for their opinion and recommendations regarding this matter. This database is arranged alphabetically by brand-name since that is how most doctors and pharmacists know them. Anaprox (Naproxen Sodium) Generic Available Drug Family = Arylacetic Acid; Roche Prescribing Information General Information Medline Compare Prices (Source A) | Compare Prices (Source Anaprox DS (Naproxen Sodium) Generic Available Drug Family = Arylacetic Acid; Roche Prescribing Information General Information Medline Compare Prices (Source A) |Compare Prices (Source Ansaid (Flurbiprofen) Generic Available Drug Family = Phenylalkanoic Acid Derivative; Pharmacia Prescribing Information General Information Medline Compare Prices (Source A) | Compare Prices (Source Arthrotec (Diclofenac Sodium + Misoprostil) Drug Family = Benzeneacetic acid Derivative plus Syntheric Prostaglandin E1 Analogue; Searle Note: Known to cause severe fetal harm; must not be taken by pregnant women Prescribing Information General Information Medline Compare Prices (Source A) | Compare prices (Source Bextra ( valdecoxib; pharmacia) Drug Family = Cox II Official Website General Information Prescribing Information Medline Compare Prices Cataflam also Voltaren (Diclofenac Potassium) Generic Available Drug Family = Benzeneacetic acid Derivative; Novartis Prescribing Information General Information Medline Compare Prices (Source A) | Compare Prices (Source Celebrex (Celecoxib) Drug Family = COXII Inhibitors; Pharmacia Prescribing Information General Information Medline Compare Prices (Source A) | Compare Prices (Source Clinoril (Sulindac) Generic Available Drug Family = Indene Derivative; Merck Merck PI - PDF; PDF File - you need Adobe Acrobat to open this file; [ Click Here to Download Adobe Acrobat Software for Free] General Information Medline Compare Prices (Source A) | Compare Prices (Source Daypro (Oxaprozin) Generic Available Drug Family = Propionic Acid Derivative; Pharmacia Prescribing Information Medline General Information Compare Prices (Source A) |Compare Prices (Source Disalcid (Salsalate) Generic Available Drug Family = Salicylate; 3M Prescribing Information General Information Medline Compare Prices (Source A) |Compare Price Dolobid (Diflunisal) Generic Available Drug Family = Salicylate; Merck Prescribing Information General Information Medline Compare Prices (Source A) |Compare Prices (Source EC Naprosyn (Naproxen Sodium) Generic Available Same active ingredient as Naprosyn; tablet has a special coating To protect the stomach. Drug Family = Arylacetic Acid Derivative; Roche Prescribing Information General Information (for Naprosyn) Medline Feldene (Piroxicam) Generic Available Very Strong; Never take on empty stomach; take with food. Drug Family = Oxicam; Pfizer Prescribing Information General Information Medline Compare Prices Indocin, Indocin SR (Indomethacin) Generic Available Very Strong; Never take on empty stomach; take with food Indocin SR is a sustained release version of Indocin. Drug Family = Indole Derivative; Merck Prescribing Information Merck PI - PDF ; PDF File - you need Adobe Acrobat to open this file; [ Click Here to Download Adobe Acrobat Software for Free] General Information Medline Compare Prices Lodine , Lodine XL (Etodolac) Generic Available Lodine XL is a long acting version of Lodine. Drug Family = Pyranocarboxylic Acid Deriv; Wyeth Prescribing Information General Information Medline Compare Prices (Source A) |Compare Prices (Source Mobic (Meloxicam) Drug Family = Oxicam Derivatine; Boehringer Ingelheim Prescribing Information - PDF ; PDF File - you need Adobe Acrobat to open this file; [ Click Here to Download Adobe Acrobat Software for Free] General Information Medline Compare Prices (Source A) |Compare Prices(Source Motrin (Ibuprofen) Generic Available Drug Family = Propionic Acid Derivative; Pharmacia Prescribing Information General Information Medline Compare Prices (Source A) |Compare Prices (Source Compare Prices For Generic Ibuprofen Naprelan (Naproxen) Generic Available Same active ingredient as Naprosyn; tablet has a special delivery system. Drug Family = Arylacetic Acid Derivative; Elan Prescribing Information General Information Medline Compare Price Naprosyn (Naproxen) Generic Available Drug Family = Arylacetic Acid Derivative; Roche Prescribing Information General Information Medline Compare Price for Naprosyn Orudis, (Ketoprofen) Generic Available Drug Family = Propionic Acid Derivative; Wyeth Prescribing Information General Information Medline Compare Prices Oruvail (Ketoprofen) Generic Available Drug Family = Propionic Acid Derivative; Wyeth Prescribing Information General Information Medline Compare Price for Orudis Compare Price for Ketoprofen Relafen (Nabumetone) Drug Family = Naphthyalkanone; SmithKline Prescribing Information; PDF File - you need Adobe Acrobat to open this file; [ Click Here to Download Adobe Acrobat Software for Free General Information Medline Compare Prices Tolectin, (Tolmetin Sodium) Generic Available Drug Family = Pyrroleacetic Acid; McNeil McNeil PI- PDF ; PDF File - you need Adobe Acrobat to open this file; [ Click Here to Download Adobe Acrobat Software for Free] General Information Medline Compare Prices Trilisate (Choline Magnesium Trisalicylate) Generic Available Drug Family = Salicylate; Purdue Fredrick Prescribing Information General Information Medline Vioxx (Rofecoxib) Drug Family = COX II Inhibitors; Merck Vioxx.com - official website; prescribing info, etc Prescribing Information General Information Medline Compare Prices (Source A) | Compare Prices(Source </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Hi Kibuluna - So sorry about your break-up. As rough as these times are, invariably we look back and think "That's one of the best things that happened to me." because we end up in a much better place, with someone who is much better for us... But until we get to that point, it does so really SUCK. In the meantime... Of course there is no magic "cure" for the heart-hungry eating. I wish I could tell you there is. But now that you have recognized that's what you're doing, and you have acknowledged that you want to STOP doing it, you can at least move on to the part that isn't as easy, and isn't necessarily any fun. You have to do something ELSE besides eat. Boy, I know, "Why didn't I think of that?!?!" The trick, of course, is HOW do you do something else besides eat?!?! Here's the trick - you HAVE to get distracted by something else. When you're turning to food, say, "Wait a minute. I know I'm not hungry - I'm just depressed. So... Instead of eating RIGHT THIS MINUTE, first I'm going to check my email, and write to that good friend I've been meaning to get back to. And then, while I'm there, might as well check the lotto numbers. Shit. Didn't win again. Hmmm... Maybe I should balance my checkbook. Oh, I have an extra $5.00 - wonder if Mom would like to go to a movie with me. Hey Mom! What 'cha doing? Really? I'm just hanging out, thinking about going to a movie. Wanna? Oh you need to run some errands first? Sure, I'll go. See you in a few minutes..." See what happened? You forgot all about what you were GOING to do before you distracted yourself. Walk the dog, call a friend, check out the sales at the mall. Good luck!!

OMG - truly, Ryan, I have no idea how you keep sane. So glad you are both home now, safe and sound. May things only get better from here on out... (((Ryan)))

Dear Ryan - I, too, am coming belatedly to this thread, but am so grateful that all has gone well with the procedure and that you are on your way to bringing her home, even though that means taxing the last of your sleepless strength. I wish Patty quick and uneventful healing, and I wish you a little bit of space to recouperate yourself - as bad as needing help is, being the care-giver is just as draining as it is rewarding, as you carry the load of three - your own, hers, and the care-giver's. I know you wouldn't have it any other way, but there is no denying that there are days when the thought of laying down that load, even for a few blessed minutes, is beyond seductive. During those times we are here for you, cheering you on, marveling at your strength and breadth of heart, intoxicated by your words and emotions, laughing with you, and crying with you. We love you, and we love Patty, because surely she must be an extraordinary being to have earned the love of a man like you. (((Ryan)))

Some new words: 1. Bozone (n.): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future. 2. Foreploy (v): Any misrepresentation about yourself for the purpose of getting laid. 3. Cashtration (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period. 4. Giraffiti (n): Vandalism spray-painted very, very high. 5. Sarchasm (n): The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it. 6. Inoculatte (v): To take coffee intravenously when you are running late. 7. Hipatitis (n): Terminal coolness. 8. Osteopornosis (n): A degenerate disease. (This one got extra credit.) 9. Karmageddon (n): It's like, when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it's like, a serious bummer. 10. Decafalon (n.): The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you. 11. Glibido (v): All talk and no action. 12. Dopeler effect (n): The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly. 13. Arachnoleptic fit (n.): The frantic dance performed just after you've accidentally walked through a spider web. 14. Beelzebug (n.): Satan in the form of a mosquito that gets into your bedroom at three in the morning and cannot be cast out. 15. Caterpallor (n.): The color you turn after finding half a grub in the fruit you're eating. And the pick of the literature: 16. Ignoranus (n): A person who's both stupid and an azzhole.

Cool, and confusing.... This thread now looks totally different than the others - looks like all the replies are being grouped under this post... fascinating... Okay, yeah, fascinating if you absolutely have nothing better to do... lol

So, Megan!!! I'm dying to know... What did you decide?!?!

Had to test the "Yaaarrrr, Matey" quote link...

Now this is really having TOO much money, and too much time on your hands... lol

Apparently this guy didn't see the sign... lol

Last one... SMILE!!!

Twice the fun... I guess it's not always fun on the bottom... :eek

Here's a little purse-snatcher! Or is that a cat burgler???

So the cats won't feel neglected...

You know you're going to HE11 now!!! lol

A life circle...

And this... How do people get to be in the right place at the right time with a camera and a clear shot?!?!

Michelle - My heart breaks for you. I still cry over Max, and I had to put him down in October of 2001... These aren't mine, but I thought they were cute...