Daisalana

My sister's thing is getting worse.. She's at the hospital right now, the kidney problems. It's called Leptospirosis. There was an article in the paper that the humane society in town has had to put several dogs down due to this illness (and like I told you guys, my sister's puppy had it). It's a 6 week test, so my sister has a while to find out if that's what it is, meanwhile her symptoms are getting worse, she's lost 30lbs in 2 weeks she can't eat, she's throwing up all the time and stuff like that. Back to the doctor today since she can't keep the medicine down that is suppose to fix it. Next stage is meningitus (sp), then liver failure.. So my mom is really stressing over that right now (I didn't realize this was going on, thought she was getting better). Mom was almost in tears, and I said.. well maybe it's NOT that.. even though it sounds like it is, maybe she's just got a flu or something.

I'm trying to be positive! Positive news has come in, Allergan called me about my complaint, and I got somewhere. They're getting in touch with my doctors to get more information and the guy said whether it's their fault or not, he is going to push to get it replaced for free.

Not sure

Thanks for all the encouraging words, I need as much as I can get right now!!! Just a quick follow up, I just got off the phone with Allergan/Inamed (That was a quick response!). He asked me in detail what's going on, and I explained how my doctors called and were denied, he said they likely talked to a sales rep, who won't take you very far. So, he said he's opened up a file for me, and he's going to contact my doctor and send them a packet (to send THEM the defective port), and they will look into it. He said there are no warranties, but if it's defective or from 'wear', they will replace it for free. He said they would credit whoever purchased it, and they would credit me. He also apologized, and said even if it's not a defective issue, he will push hard for me to get it replaced for free.. and he asked my weight progression and stuff like that for the file. I'm a little excited.. Hopefully, my doctor will be diligent in following up with them to get this taken care of. The guy there gave me his number and extension so I can keep in touch with them.

Where is everyone?? I'm on a roll, I went to Allergan's/Inamed website and left a "Product Complaint", about the money I've forked out, and how they aren't standing by their product and making me pay even more money and it's their fault..

Well.. Friday is a go. 6am for pre-op, surgery at 8am. And she forgot anesthesia cost. !@#@#$^&$%@#! She said she begged them to let me not have to pay it up front, because they couldn't do same day yadda yadda, I'd have to make 2 trips down. So they are going to go ahead and bill me afterward for anesthesia time used. For the band, it was $500, but she said since this is going to be less time it will be cheaper. Whatever. So now we're up to $2,596 at most. I'm going to insist on free fills for at least 2 years! Called the hotel we stayed at last week to reserve a room, I asked the rate and she said "you have government rate on your account' and she never gave me an actual number. Last time I stayed, the doctor called in the room and paid for it. So I dunno what that means, it was $60 last time. Hopefully it's not anymore. We're going up Thursday night, getting the room, surgery Fri. Morning.. I said "And I will be able to go home the same day, right?" she said 'barring any complications'. Really, I don't know how I would have complications.. if I did fine in the normal surgery, revising the port surgery should be a piece of cake, right? Tell me right!!

If I had my band removed, I think it would be like the whole yo-yo dieting. If it's not there to keep me in check, it'll all come back. So.. once I reach goal, I plan on keeping it there, and filled if need be. I have a while to go till I decide what to do there... but I know for sure I'm not taking it out!

Due to my brain blowing up, I decided to call the nurse I talk to down there. She said they did have some bands at the hospital, so they're going to take the port out of one of those to give me. She said Allergen since they have the market cornered on the band, they're not willing to negotiate price or warranty blahty blah.. she said both doctors have been trying since yesterday to get them to come down on price. But.. I did ask, due to the cost now, and the fact all my 'free fills' didn't work out, can I get more.. she said definately. So honestly, that's $100 a visit (cost from the other doctor I found, my doctor is $150) and I'll ride that out for a while hopefully. She said they have an opening Friday, if that works for me. I said it'd be perfect.. so she is calling the hospital to find out if they have a room that day. Fingers crossed ladies!!!!!!!! Friday I could be fixed, and this will all be a distant memory, yea? heh.

Tracy- Yeah, well after I found out I have a leak, I don't resent him for not filling me enough anymore. And if Allergen is out of ports (god, I don't get that?!).. that's not his fault either. BUT.. to you and Michelle.. my mom even said "You self-paid, he has plenty of money, why doesn't HE pay the hospital". I haven't told her about the port cost now. This IS leaving a bad taste in my mouth. And my parents are paying for the revision surgery. Which, indebts me MORE to them. I didn't tell ya'll about this weekend. Saturday, I'm in bed, in pajamas, 10pm.. watching a movie (I was depressed that day, still in my funk).. Dad calls, said his a/c is out, they're playing poker, told me to go to wal-mart get them some fans. I'm just stunned.. so.. I said uh ok, hung up and sat there a minute. First off, I have HIGH ANXIETY going to stores. I will NOT go alone. Even for myself. DH had plans in his video game that night (Everquest, stupid hate that game), every sat night unless I give him advance notice, he has plans. So.. I try to beg him to go with me. He can't. So I'm panicy. I start to cry.. so I toughen up, called my mom.. and said nicely "You'll go with me right?". She says..and I quote "We've been doing an aweful lot for you lately, this is the least you can do".. so I just said "Wow.. that's nice" and hung up on her. And so you know-they DO know I have a problem going to stores. Then stopped taking their calls. Then cried some more as I had to put a bra on, get dressed, go to wal-mart (HIGH ANXIETY), get them fans, blah blah. So here I am, picturing this new surgery bill going up and up, and me becoming a slave to my parents for even longer. Sigh sigh sigh. I really am torn. I don't have the personality to say "Look, this isn't my fault, YOU pay for it", nicely or not. I don't know what to do. I think about the revision, and wonder if I should go to another doctor for revision.. but this doctor put it in, he knows my body heh.. I dunno, god my brain is so jumbled right now.. you would not want to be me right now! My last 'free fill' is october, but I wonder with all this mess, if they will at least give me more free fills.. maybe that's what I should ask for. But again, I don't know how to go about saying they owe me anything. I wish my psychiatrist visit were sooner, I really need someone to give me something for my anxiety. I've been having back tension (and pain), and migraines out the wazoo. I have to take double sleeping pills and migraine meds at night just to sleep. The other night it was so bad, I took my hair down and was massaging my scalp and almost vomiting from the pain when I passed out.. woke up the next day and I had made my hair a big mess.. more hair is falling out too, and I wonder if it's stress related as well. Thank you for listening to me rant, I have to get it out sometimes So

I have an issue with eating emotionally. I decided to go see a shrink about it, but the earliest they can get me in is the end of Oct. I'll see how that goes! They said he specializes in eating disorders, and told me to join some group.. and I said.. you realize, it's OVER eating, I'm not anorexic or belemic. And she said she's not sure if there's over eaters in the group, but I could still go and share. And maybe on some big broad spectrum, it boils down to we have some sort of issues with food.. but I'll be damned if I sit my big butt in a chair and try to relate to someone who can't eat.

Your doctor said not to have lemon or garlic?? Can you take cold medicine? Suck on some Halls. I'm not giving you doctor's advice, but really if you think lemon and or garlic (I.E. warm lemon water..) will help you, endulge You can have water! I wasn't told I couldn't have any of those things, I guess it's because they can be fatty or go through your band quickly. But I drink skim milk on a regular basis... and brothy soups, won't fill you up, but they might make you feel better. You shouldn't rely on them to be your lunch regularly as you won't stay full.. and then there's the creamy soups that have a lot of calories.. so anyway, make an educated decision, and if you really are worried about something sabotaging your band, call your doctor

One time of overeating like that isn't likely going to mess anything up. The stretching comes with doing this over a long period of time. Just get back on the horse

Crash- Congrats on your decision. About the cathetar. ME TOO. I was told at my pre-op I would have one. I swear to you, that is the ONLY thing I thought about for 5 days (till surgery). Before they put me under, I was still having butterflies about it.. that was honest to goodness almost a dealbreaker for me. My mom told me it's not THAT big of a deal, I'll be asleep when they put it in.. but not when I wake up, oh dear! So anyway, right before I went under I asked a nurse 'So which one of you is putting in the cathetar?'.. and she laughed and said "Lap-band patients don't get the catheter". And I rambled about how happy they just made me, and how ready I was now, blah blah and was put to sleep.

It's true.. if dieting is all it was going to take to get you there, why hasn't it happened in 20 years? I don't think you really need a lecture on it, you know Good luck with your journey!

Glad to see my thoughts weren't unique! I was going to say.. my husband is my best friend first... and then lover.. I would marry him again.. and again.

BJean-LOL.. We say that here in alabama too

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Congrats Janie!!!!

No... who did you meet?

My first fill was a piece of cake. My 2nd and 3rd (and attempted 4th) were pretty bad.. They had to stick me up to 13 times each time.. and at first the needles don't hurt, but slowly it starts bruising, and then the needles start to hurt. And the worst pain IMO, is when they push on my port with their hands. That is very painful to me.. My port was tilted, which is why they had to poke so much.. my first fill, it only took 1 stick and it was over with (no numbing).

Yaaay Tracy congrats!!! Update on my port... got this e-mail last night: Tim got a call back from Allergan. The cost for the port is going to be $590.00 and they said they were on back order. Tim is going to look in the OR and see if they have a port they can use, then replace it with the ordered one when it gets here. I will let you know the outcome of that. I don't know if we are going to be able to get it arranged this week or not until we get all of these questions answered. So, $1,500 + $590.. so much for warranties. And backordered? What does THAT mean! How can they be out of ports for crying out loud! I e-mailed back asking what kind of time line that is. A week? A month? A year? SIGH.

Well everyone is different. I only exercised once a month for the first 4 months (besides housework). Now, I do a 'walk away the pounds 1 mile' every night.. and eventually plan to do more. My fills never filled me up, after the post-op diet, it was like I didn't have a band.. could eat whatever.. Got fills, and it gave very minimal restriction, but I ate about 2-3 cups of food at a time. Then one fill felt better, and was eating 1-2 cups at a time--knew I still needed another fill (doctor makes me wait 1 month between each fill). So this last fill, I'm still complaining--I can eat too much, and lost the restriction I had. Then found out I have a hole somewhere and my fills are leaking out. So, I have to get it fixed. But the point is, you can only eat xxx amount at a time, and you're SATISFIED with that. It's not like, you eat xxx amount, and you're hungry and want more and can't have it. Before I was completely deflated, my lunches were about 1/2 cup of food.. and I was done.. I didn't *want* more, my tummy was full. By dinner time, was another story though. I make the wrong food choices sometimes, and I've 'overeaten' in terms of what my band wants, and you just pick up and move along.

Hehe, you ladies are funny to read! I have to say though, Raynie I think you'e the one that said "you got pregnant on the pill.. how exciting!!" LOL. I envisioned this bug-eyed cartoon character.. EXCITING?! If you're on the pill, you don't want kids yet.. exciting is the word :confused: I want to start 'trying' for kids at the end of 2008, for a 2009 baby. I am vigilantly on the pill. If I got pregnant now.. maybe exciting one day, but not today!

My vitamins were like candy, till I ran out and bought the 'big bottle', and it's flintstones 'COMPLETE'.. I have no idea what the difference is, except these are about 2.5x the size of 'normal' flintstones+iron and taste like crappy vitamins..leaving vitamin residue on my teeth. But, I am toughing it out till I run out, and just making sure not to make this mistake again.. on the bad side, since I got the BIG BOTTLE, it's going to be a while.

I've been overweight since I came into this world, so I have a million bajillion stories..That have to do with weight and height.. I was always big in every way. I heard the "you're not fat, you're big boned' from my 'true' friends when I was a kid, I believed it too, because being fat didn't bother me till I hit about 17 and graduated high school. But here's my biggest story, that sticks out, and karma helped me out. There was me, and my 3 best friends. The kind you always went to the mall, slept at each other's houses, crushed on the same guys, etc.. this was in 7th grade. We were inseperable. Then one day.. OUT OF THE BLUE.. The 'leader' of the group, if you remember how those kind of things went? Gives me a note. The note says, due to the way I don't take care of my body, they are emberassed to be friends with me, so unless I lose the weight they can't hang out with me anymore. I still have that note, hidden in a book on my bookshelf. I never even showed my DH, because even though it was childish and so long ago, the hurt from that day was unreal. I cried to my mom, who has been a beanpole her whole life and had to go through all my woes of being picked on. So anyway.. the girl who wrote this note, is a friend of a friend of a friend, and so somehow I stumbled across her Myspace one day when I was bored. She has ballooned up. She is outright fat. And here I am, losing weight :confused: My mom was talking about something in the Bible about 'Vengence is mine'.. hehe.. when I told her about how this girl is now fat (mom remembers the note), she said see! Although, I doubt that's what the Bible was talking about, it's still satisfying.