WASaBubbleButt

You don't have restriction yet, most don't have restriction until their doc gives them some. Every newbie questions if they have a slip or erosion. I wouldn't worry about it just yet.

Sounds like you might be getting a throat infection. Might want to see your GP if it keeps up. Look at your throat in a mirror, use a flashlight if you need to. Are there white Patches back there or is it just red?

Matrix 5.0... great stuff. 120 calories, 23gms Protein. Matrix 5.0 list of all sizes and flavors. Find all Matrix 5.0 products at AllStarHealth.com

Exactly what are you eating and how many calories are you consuming daily?

I didn't even bother asking mine because I knew he would likely not do it. I bought a bunch in Mexico. My GP just knows "no NSAIDs" and I'm thinking he doesn't really understand why. Most don't. If he prescribes something that is a teeny tiny tablet that I can swallow he still won't write it for tablets, only liquids. He's a "by the book" kinda guy. I have a GP in Nogales, Mexico that does understand why we have the issues that we do and he supports my Toradol choices. Although in Mexico you don't need a prescription so it wouldn't matter if he does or does not support the idea.

I don't think there is really any way to know if you will have problems until you try it. I had no problems with Toradol before banding, now it's a big problem unless I use the injectable version. I wish I had a better answer for you.

nectar... isn't that made by Syntrax? Syntrax makes Matrix and it says on Matrix labels not to pre-mix so I'm wondering if the Protein isn't harmed somehow by mixing in advance??

Dallas/Fort Worth, I'm pretty sure.

Dr. Aceves in Mexicali, Mexico is $8200. He's done over 1400 bands, he's the VP of the Mexican Bariatric Society and the Secretary for the International Bariatric Association. He requires two nights in the hospital as he believes we fatties have more risk for complications after ANY surgical procedure. I seriously did my research before picking a US doc or Mexican doc and he simply had everything I was looking for plus a great deal more. Only problem with Tijuana docs is that Tijuana is one of the most dangerous cities in Mexico. The Mexican gov't doesn't have their army stationed in TJ for no reason, they are needed there a great deal. Dr. Aceves is in Mexicali (other side of Calexico, California) and it is a very safe city. If a doc has done 250 BAND procedures he is considered experienced. Just check out their stats, their patient referrals, everything. Do your research regardless of country you choose.

Phoenix, Arizona.

Is that the same Lopez that is with Betancourt Medical in TJ? If so, OMG NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Not unless you want to come home with life threatening infections. Betancourt is one that has the worst of reputations. If that isn't the same Lopez, I don't know anything about him. Rumbaut I have heard good things about.

The big issue for banded folks vs. non banded folks is that the bariatric surgeons (for the most part) don't want the NSAID dissolving in your pouch. As another poster pointed out, regardless of route (injectable, oral, SL) NSAIDs can cause stomach trouble but for we banded folks the key is to not let the drug dissolve in your pouch. That is "our" issue due to being banded vs. those that are not banded. There are some people that are more likely to have additional stomach problems. Someone who already has an ulcer isn't likely to want to take NSAIDs. Someone who is extra sensitive to drugs/stomach issues isn't likely to want to take this class of drug. If I use injectable Toradol I have no problems whatsoever but if I take the tablet or SL version I have serious problems. It's all because it messes with my pouch. Yet injectable versions give me no problem so I keep injectable Toradol on hand. Others might respond differently and maybe they couldn't even tolerate injectable versions. Each person is different and unique.

This is a question for Alexandra, she's the expert in that area. One question I have is Weight Loss PROGRAM... is that the same as Weight Loss SURGERY? Are they saying they won't cover WW or Jenny Craig? Or are they saying no surgery? Honestly, I don't know.

You both look GREAT! What an inspiration!

Oh Lord... the pretend doctor strikes again.

Some docs are more conservative than others. My doc (from Mexico) required 14 days of clears, 14 days of fulls, 14 days of soft foods, and then gradually reintroduce solids. My doc has better stats than most so he must be doing something right.

Send him here, let us have a little fun with him. (cackle cackle)

Oh my goodness NO!!!! Don't do this! If someone already has quite a bit of restriction and they take an NSAID, it will dissolved in their pouch. This could be quite serious. If you fear that you have too much restriction for a tablet DON'T take it!! Talk to your doc, if your doc says it is okay take the liquid and chase it with at least 8oz of Water. Baby aspirin can be chewed and chased with water as well. Or if restriction isn't a problem take the enteric coated type and it won't break down until it is beyond the stomach and in the intestine.

If you get stuck take a verrrry deep breath and hold it. Sometimes that changes your anatomy and repositions your band just enough for food to go down. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I stretch my head back as far as it will go and that usually does the trick for me, along with taking a deep breath.

Don't feel bad, I did the same thing with Toradol. Being the brilliant nurse I KNOW I am (heh...) I decided I knew more than my surgeon so I bought some SL Toradol in Mexico. It's the type that dissolves under your tongue. I knew the issue was to avoid the drug hitting my pouch so I was extra smart and used the SL version. OMG! What a horror that day was! I was really tight and I didn't sweat it because it was under my tongue, right? The tablet residue ... well, I swallowed it. It hit my pouch and I started barfing blood and blood clots. It was miserable. It was also embarrassing to call my doc and ask how I go about fixing that. He gently reminded me that he TOLD me no NSAIDs. I have to fess up though, I still take Toradol but only the injectable version now.

Sounds like a soft stop to me. I hiccup once and I KNOW to stop eating or else. Your body is telling you something, it's a good idea to pay attention. :eek:

It's a bad bad thing, don't do it. Many believe that when the swelling goes down to the point that you can get food through your stoma you are good to go. NOT TRUE! A couple of the many things that can happen if you don't follow the post op diet are: The sutures are not what holds the band in place, the sutures are short term while you heal. Your body will form adhesions on the outside of your stomach around your band. THAT is what holds the band in place long term. When you drink liquids your stomach does not have to work hard at all to break food down to pass through your GI system. When you eat foods with more substance your stomach has to churn and work hard to break food down so it can be accepted by your GI system. When your stomach works and churns it looks almost spastic. When it becomes spastic it breaks the newly forming adhesions that will hold your band in place. This is a slip waiting to happen. It could happen today or a year from now. Also, when you eat foods you aren't supposed to it tends to push your band down farther than it is supposed to be. Then when the adhesions form it forms with the band too low and your pouch too large and you won't lose weight well. Your pouch is too large. That needs to be surgically repaired and it's doubtful insurance will cover it since it is of your own doing and not a medical necessity. So you may well be physically able to eat solids right now but just like your 3rd grade teacher told you about doing your own homework, if you don't follow directions you really are only harming yourself. It's just not worth it. Nobody ever died from drinking their food for a few weeks. It takes a little will power and determination but you can do it. You are only five days out, you have a long way to go so get "chewing" out of your head completely right now.

You'll do great! Just research the heck out of your potential doctors and know everything there is to know about them. You can make a good decision but it takes lots of time and effort on your part. If you do that you should have a great experience. Good luck to you!!!

Five ounces of solids is my limit and I have no fill right now.

Super Mega FANTASTIC!!! We are all sooooooooo happy and thrilled for you!!