leatha_g

My plans are to fly in on Monday, June 26th. I'll be landing in Charlotte about 4pm and driving to Hickory. I don't know much about Hickory either. I've never been there before, but I'm scheduled to stay somewhere on the 13th Avenue Dr, which appears to be right off I40. I'll be staying until Friday evening and hopefully I won't be working late hours, so I'll have most evenings free (I hope). Or, we could meet up nearer to your place on my way through Monday evening. I'm pretty flexible.

You all look fantastic! So how far is Hickory from Charlotte? I'm flying into Charlotte on June 26th and working in Hickory that week. If anyone is close enough, maybe we could find time for dinner.

I take my shoes off in my own home, out of comfort. I hate shoes. I'm also smart enough to kick them off before going in if I know I'm going to trample something in - as I would at anyone elses home. But, I don't think I've ever been asked (or expected) to undress when going into someone else's home, especially someone I don't know well. Maybe it's a cultural thing, but it would be considered rude to expect or demand that where I live, I think. Or, perhaps I'm such a commoner that I don't know how the other half lives?? lol

The one's I've had were very light, melt in your mouth and disgustingly awesome! Last one I had was well over 3 years ago. It's one of things that early on I developed a mantra.. Krispy Kremes are not your friends.. Krispy Kremes are not your friend...

The port definitely does migrate with weight loss. Usually, it can be felt under the skin, or the doc can located it under ultrasound or flouroscopy.

Warm apple juice.

That's a great NSV. Nothing like moving down a pantsize! Time for pics!

If you eat scrambled eggs, I would highly encourage you to add some softening agent, such as cottage cheese, during cooking and/OR mash them up with a fork, just as you would do with a baby. Then, only take the smallest of bites and wait for it to go through before you attempt another.

Scrambled eggs is one of the very first 'golf balls' for many people. They are simply too dense and don't go through the stoma. I've heard some folks say they add cottage cheese when cooking them to make them softer. Personally, one try was enough for me. It's fried or boiled these days. DO NOT pour liquid on top of it.

I would direct you first, to the makers of the band and the Lapband Patient Handbook see link http://www.allerganandinamed.com/pdf/health/94829-12_LB_Patient_Book.pdf Then, of course, most docs have sheets they have prepared with their own set of rules and guidelines.

I have to keep dangerous foods out of my house, honestly. Then, I have to refrain from finding myself in a restaurant, also. Do I manage to accomplish this all the time? Nope. But most of the time it works. To me, it makes sense that what is 'good' and 'more healthy' for YOU would also be 'good' and 'more healthy' for your family. So don't feel as if you're depriving them by initiating a change in their eating behaviors as well. It's tough. I have to distract myself. Drink Water when I feel hungry. It's been said, often when we THINK we're hungry, we're actually thirsty instead. So that's a place to start. Get up and go walk the mall when my head is getting the best of me. I don't have to buy, but I can shop til my heart's content. Go to the gym and walk a mile or two on the treadmill, swim, take a dance class. Work out in the yard. All these things I couldn't even do when I got banded.

Amazing story! I am so thankful that you've come through and are getting better. I've heard other stories like yours, over the years :grouphug:, but then I also take heart in knowing there are some excellent banding surgeons still in Mexico who do seem to genuinely care about their patients and their reputations going forward. God bless you and continue to strengthen you and allow you to use your testimony to help others.

People are just amazing creatures. I'm so sorry you had to be subject to this. :grouphug: Once, someone did the same thing to me from a car driving down the road. I was stunned, wondering if I could even believe what I'd just heard. Sadly, there is some truth to the old adage, what comes around goes around. People do tend to get back what they give. So even though you get no 'joy' from their consequences, just know it will happen.

Amen. God bless our soldiers, all of them, old and new. God bless our country, the red, white and blue!

LOL, if ONLY that were true.. I have a terrible memory these days. :help: I used to have a much better memory, that is until the computer came into play. Now I just make use of my 'Favorites'. I'm technologically handicapped..:grouphug:

Dody, I'm truly sorry to hear of these findings, however, I'm really glad that you were able to find them before subjecting yourself to lapband surgery. Hopefully you can get these far more important items taken care of and be on your way to better health soon! I'll definitely send up a prayer on your behalf! Hugs and good luck to you!

There is a surgeon locator on http://www.lap-band.com/. I believe www.obesityhelp.com also had a physician locator section as well. :grouphug:

:clap2: :clap2: GOD sure knows how to make em!!! Now, if I could just get Him to hear my prayers for one of my very own.... :grouphug:

hahaha shame on you! lol

You'll definitely have new sensations. And I understand the 'acid' sensation. The true test is this, can you swallow liquids okay? How are things going at night when you lay down? If you have ANY problem at all with nighttime reflux or waking up choking/aspirating in your sleep. Get thee to a doctor immediately! If you are able to swallow liquids okay now ( use warm liquids too, it helps) and begin to move back into solids (hard proteins) with no problem. Then you're probably doing okay. Unfortunately, my litmus test for a fill has become whether I can sleep at night with no issues. For the past year, I have been unable to get a fill without having reflux problems. :grouphug: Like you, if I felt NO restriction by week 3. I'd ask for another fill, but not until then. Usually by about 2 weeks, you'll have a pretty good feel for how much restriction you got out of your last fill. Also, don't just count only how you 'feel' restricted, but discern how you're doing scale-wise. If you are eating less, feeling full faster and actually losing weight. There is no need whatsoever to become more restricted. Less restriction is actually safer for your band and esophagus. Check out this link for the questions to answer before having a band adjustment. http://bigolalaskan.com/lapband/fills.htm

lol, great pics! ya'll er nuts!

I would call, especially if I noticed any choking/reflux symptoms during the night. Some folks would give it a day or two, but I'm just not a fan of being overly filled for too long, it enhances your chances of slippage or esophageal irritation. Good luck!

Sorry to tell you, but TIME alone will make you hate your boobs! LOL. Of course, with weight loss surgery, there is always the possibility that you lose in the breast area as well as anywhere else. In my own experience. I have not lost in the actual CUP size, although I do appear to be deflated more than I was 5 years ago.:faint: I have lost in the actual bra size due to inches lost on the circumference of my body. It's pretty hard to avoid change of some kind with massive amounts of weight loss. Then you have to factor in your skin type, etc.

Please reference this sticky thread for help!http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=7959&highlight=abbreviations Welcome!

Water - I bought myself one of those 64 oz 'water' containers at Walmart. I can mix up Crystlal Light in it or just plain water and it helps me to see how much I need to finish in a day. I'm TERRIBLE about getting water in, otherwise. Also.. water with lemon it. It's great to cut mucous on those days when you seem to be sliming on everything.