nightingale2u

I am open to any thing... but preferences would be T-shirt.... Black Lettering... Purple Saying.... "So happy to hear of your loss" Size... 1x Price... Up to 20 buckaroos Happy Printing... Darcy

Oh yeah... gas abounds... I've stopped trying to be delicate about it.

Hi Betty... The pain is not completely gone but I am attributing that to giving in and eating things that seem to irritate my stomach. Unfortunately, I'm not the queen of controlling myself! Thanks so much for asking... and I'm sure that with time I'll feel 100%. Nancy... I think I forgot to thank you for your further condensed version of my letter... I Loved it! Now... I just need to start an exercise or walking challenge on the boards to get my butt moving again! We took another set of pictures to compare and I swear... I look exactly the same! Oh the curse of gaining weight evenly from head to toe! TTFN Darcy

Well Marie... if you ever need a real coat... long underwear or a snow shovel... you know who to call! It took a while for this California raised girl to get used to it... WAIT... I still haven't got used to it!

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL Sal!!!!!!

Yup... chilly as can be! I'm wearing a flannel shirt and Miss Em has a turtleneck on! I think the high today is supposed to reach a balmy 58 degrees. I won't say the "S" word and that white stuff needs to stay away until at least November!

Hey Sal... I'd add suger free Jello and SF popsicles to your list. You may also want to keep some chicken broth an or Soups that you can strain the solid stuff out of. I bought the mylanta anti-gas chewables but didn't really find that they helped. Be sure that you have some very loose and comfy clothes to wear post-op... I also had Diet V-8 splash on hand. Just remember to sip... sip... sip your Water post-op and don't use a straw as that will put extra gas in your stomach. Good luck with your surgery and update us when you are feeling up to it! Darcy

Kimberly... I think you said the "S" word???? That is a VERY NAUGHTY WORD... ya hear me girl!?!?! Have fun in Green Bay... you are on your way! Darcy

Lisa... dag nabbit! *sigh* how frustrating is it to need medical care???? I am at a loss... (((hugs))) Dr. Chua called tonight to tell me the results of my upper GI were normal... AND... he asked me how I am feeling??? I told him that I have been feeling better and so he wants me to cancel the EGD. He aslo said they will not do my fill this Friday because of the problems I have been having. Soooo... we shall see how far out they are booking for fills. I guess if I lose more restriction I am going to either have to control myself or shove everything I can find in my mouth... (Lisa... get that thought out of your mind). So... no EGD... no fill... and feel much better that my Dr. called me right away and took the time to really talk to me. I have a hard time staying mad... so all is well for now.

Yeah Michelle... I know what ya mean! Lisa... if you weren't leaking... Sex... Female Darcy

Welcome Rose! I gained 10 lbs before my surgery:eek: You are starting out ahead of the game! Good luck with everything! Darcy

I'd be interested... not coming to Vegas but hopefully there will be a get-together that I can attend one of these days and I am hoping to do the Walk for Obesity... maybe I can wear it then.

Okay... it's still long... but is this better???? Dear Dr. Chua, I must share my concerns about the care provived by your office. I won’t rehash every experience but will just say that the situation could have been avoided if a person with medical knowledge had returned my call and taken the time to collect information on the abdominal discomfort I was having. I feel that an ER visit could have been avoided along with days of waiting by the phone. There should be a triage person and or persons in your office to handle medical concerns that may arise after bariatric surgery. This person should be able to contact you if it is warranted. I started having discomfort with eating and drinking on Friday August 1st. This pain continued and increased throughout the weekend but I thought it was perhaps due to irritation from starting on a regular diet. I called your office on Monday morning at approximately 9:30 am. A staff member said that Deb was in surgery but that she would page her and have her call me in between cases. I waited the ENTIRE day by the phone and finally gave up at 5:30 and called the answering service. They paged you and I gave you a brief description of the pain and you suggested I go to the ER for an xray. I told you that I had been getting fluids in and wasn’t dehydrated. I can’t help but feel that if someone would have called me back earlier in the day… the ER visit could have been avoided and tests could have been ordered as an outpatient. Tuesday…I called your office at 9:15 as I was unsure what testing you wanted. Joanne stated that I needed an order to see the GI doctor and she would talk with Dr. Rudic and get back to me. I waited by the phone ALL DAY once again. Joanne did call me back at 5:15 only to tell me that Dr. Rudic couldn’t handle the problem and that she would talk to you the next day. I also asked her to discuss the possibility of something simple such as gastritis. Wednesday… I talked to Joanne and she said she would page you to find out what tests were needed. I waited ALL DAY… only to be told that she was not able to get a hold of you. She stated that she would be working with you on Thursday at Sinai and would ask you then. Thursday… Called your office and spoke to Kelly and was in tears. She assured me that Joanne was working on the problem and she would be getting back to me. I waited ALL DAY again by the phone. I finally gave up and called the office at 4:15, only to get the answering service… more tears. I then attended the support group meeting in FDL where Kathy called you and in minutes I was able to get the information I had been waiting by the phone for days to obtain. It was an awful week for me and I was left very concerned about the type of after-care I was coming to know. Since this whole thing started... NOBODY has asked if the abdominal discomfort is better... worse... or unchanged and I honestly feel that nobody really cares one way or another. Just as a matter of interest… the place that changes our oil just called to make sure we were happy with their service and to let us know they would welcome any suggestions for improvement. I could feel the friendly smile on the other end of the phone and in mere seconds I hung up with a smile on mine. That’s how quick and easy caring customer service can be. Thank you for your time,

Thanks Neicy... you're pretty nice yourself! I don't feel very nice about this whole situation... I feel pretty disappointed and powerless. It puts patients in a tough situation when no other surgeon's, that are covered by insurance, will take you on because you had surgery with another doctor. I would have choices if I had a pacemaker...other cardiologists would even think twice about taking over my care. Hopefully this is something that will change once Lap Band placement becomes more standard. Lisa my girl... I am soooooo glad you are off to see your primary MD is going to take a look at your incision! Come back and update... Please! You are right about the letter again... heck... maybe I'll just blow a gasket when I see them this Friday. I am considering asking my primary care M.D. if he would like to learn how to do fills. I wonder if there are any primary care M.D.s learning to do this???? Anyhoo... I am going to get my fill FIRST if everything is okay with the testing and THEN I'll speak my mind. Had the upper GI this morning... gawd that chalk tastes like poo. THe radiologist said everything looked okay and I would lay bets that I just have gastritis from irritation to the stomach lining from the new MVI. On a separate note... I had my hubby take pictures yesterday in the same outfit as when I weighed 247... sheesh... I was feeling skinnier but I swear I look the same. *sigh* THat's the trouble with gaining weight evenly... it takes longer to look heavier and it also takes longer to look thinner! Darcy

Okay... I went back and edited the original post with the letter. Does it seem... less nice???? I gotta work on this "nice" problem... hmmm... perhaps a tattoo is in order??? Darcy

Hi Audrey... I am taking Zoloft for the EXACT same problem! I have panic attacks while driving... it started out of the blue and I lived with it for 2 years before finally seeing somebody about it. I was banded 6/30/04 and continue to take Zoloft daily. Good luck on your journey to being banded! Darcy

Leatha... my heart is with you and believe me when I say... I know how you feel! Please listen to your body... and if the pain worsens... go to the dreaded ER. Please keep us updated Leatha... ((((HUGS)))) Darcy

Lisa and Marie... Thanks so much for your input... that's exactly why I posted this letter here before delivering the final draft personally. I will need follow-up care with the Lap Band and since the other M.D. that is covered by my insurance is reluctant to open his door to patients that have been banded elsewhere... I am trying to get my point across as nicely as possible. More flies with honey???? Lisa... I think you are right... I should perhaps move things around and I never thought of sending a copy to Inamed but that is an awesome idea. Marie... I am feeling better but still am going to follow through with the testing. Dr. Chua's office called this morning to let me know that I need and upper GI and that I need it BEFORE the scope so it was a mad dash to get one scheduled for tomorrow AM. What she didn't say is... How are you feeling... is the pain better or worse???? No surprises there. So... joyful week... Upper GI in the morning... scope the next morning and the ever pleasant visit to Dr. CHua's office on Friday. Somebody hold me.

This is the letter I composed to my surgeon... I would appreciate any suggestions and or corrections as I want this letter to be as effective as possible. Ryan... get your butt in here and turn my letter into a real page turner! August 9, 2004 Dear Dr. Chua, I must share my concerns about the care provived by your office. I won’t rehash every experience but will just say that the situation could have been avoided if a person with medical knowledge had returned my call and taken the time to collect information on the abdominal discomfort I was having. I feel that an ER visit could have been avoided along with days of waiting by the phone. There should be a triage person and or persons in your office to handle medical concerns that may arise after bariatric surgery. This person should be able to contact you if it is warranted. I started having discomfort with eating and drinking on Friday August 1st. This pain continued and increased throughout the weekend but I thought it was perhaps due to irritation from starting on a regular diet. I called your office on Monday morning at approximately 9:30 am. A staff member said that Deb was in surgery but that she would page her and have her call me in between cases. I waited the ENTIRE day by the phone and finally gave up at 5:30 and called the answering service. They paged you and I gave you a brief description of the pain and you suggested I go to the ER for an xray. I told you that I had been getting fluids in and wasn’t dehydrated… but off I went as instructed. I can’t help but feel that if someone would have called me back earlier in the day… the ER visit could have been avoided and tests could have been ordered according to the need. Tuesday…I called your office at 9:15 as I was unsure what testing you wanted. Joanne stated that I needed an order to see the GI doctor and she would talk with Dr. Rudic and get back to me. I waited by the phone ALL DAY once again. Joanne did call me back at 5:15 only to tell me that Dr. Rudic couldn’t handle the problem and that she would talk to you the next day. I also asked her to discuss the possibility of something simple such as gastritis. Wednesday… I talked to Joanne and she said she would page you to find out what tests were needed. I waited ALL DAY… only to be told that she was not able to get a hold of you. She stated that she would be working with you on Thursday at Sinai and would ask you then. Thursday… Called your office and spoke to Kelly and was in tears. She assured me that Joanne was working on the problem and she would be getting back to me. I waited ALL DAY again by the phone. I finally gave up and called the office at 4:15, only to get the answering service… more tears. I then attended the support group meeting in FDL where Kathy called you and in minutes I was able to get the information I had been waiting by the phone for days to obtain. It was an awful week for me and I was left very concerned about the type of after-care I was coming to know. Since this whole thing started... NOBODY has asked if the abdominal discomfort is better... worse... or unchanged and I honestly feel that nobody really cares one way or another. Just as a matter of interest… the place that changes our oil just called to make sure we were happy with their service and to let us know they would welcome any suggestions for improvement. I could feel the friendly smile on the other end of the phone and in mere seconds I hung up with a smile on mine. That’s how quick and easy caring customer service can be. Thank you for your time,

Lisa... I am so doggone sorry for your healing troubles. Let's imagine that the drainage is actually fat in liquid form okay??? (((hugs)))

Congrats Alex! Woo Hoo! I was feeling better other than the result of mild cramping and gigantic proportions of gas (not pretty) after eating. I just got to the point where I was hungry and decided that I was going to eat and live with the results. Then... I took that darn chewable MVI yesterday and starting in with all of the previous discomfort. So... not going to take the MVI again... perhaps I will just have to find a liquid MVI? It will still ease my mind for them to take a gander at the inside of mu stomach and make sure everything is okay in there! Michelle... My gallbladder was removed when I had the banding... there still could be a problem in the common bile duct if there is any sludge remaining in there I suppose... hopefully it will all be a matter of history soon. Vegas... FUN... I wish I still lived in California so that a trip there wouldn't be so far! I am so bummed that I won't be able to meet all of you at the Vegas get-together! I rue the day when the scale doesn't give me good news... BUT... I know I would never have been able to lose this much weight with regular dieting. I also would be slipping back into old habits by now... thankfully the band just won't let me!

Thanks Alex... a modern day lap band detective I am...lol. I've always had a sensative stomach... of course... it never stopped me from eating! Kiley... I forgot to respond to your post... The support group in FDL is a groupd started by a patient of Dr. CHua's and mostly comprised of his patients.... however... anyone is welcome to attend. I brought my angel Nicci with me to the last meeting and she is a patient of Dr. Kemmerling in Green Bay. I would love to have more people there that have experienced this WLS journey with other surgeons so that patients starting their journey have comparisons. My hope is that patients will see that they have the right to expect more than just surgical skill... they have the right to be treated with compassion and care from the staff and they have a right to have any problems or complications dealt with in a timely manner. I would love to see you at the next meeting (The first Thursday of every month at 6pm)... I'm going to drag Nicci with me again... and hope you will come too! Darcy

Hope everyone had a good week! Michelle... thanks so much for starting this challenge and it sounds like you are still doing an awesome job with your band! I really didn't think I lost this week because I have felt so bloated from all of the stomach crud I have been experiencing... BUT... jumped on this morning and was down to 229!!!! YAY!!!! That's 3 lbs down this week and a grand total of 28 lbs down total! Wow... I can't tell you all how happy that makes me! We went to a buffet this weekend... I used to cram two plates of food down... two HEAPING plates full... this time... I ordered the baked Haddock and ate half of that and a few steamed vegies. FULL. There was a part of me that yearned to load up a plate and just eat with free abandon... but most of me was just amazed and delighted at how this band helps save me from myself! Here's to another great week! Darcy

LISA... I thought this deserved a frame of it's own... WHAT!!!???!!!???!!!??? MORE LANCING AND DRAINING!!!???!!!??? What the Sam HE Double hockey sticks is going on with your body girl!!!????? What do they think is going on???? Is this related to you healing abilities or lack there of???? Now it is my turn to be worried about you!!!! I would obviously get my fill of wound care if I lived closer to you! You will need to keep me updated on this Harley Delarly! Ya hear??? Darcy

Hi All, Yep... when choosing a surgeon I think it is important to ask... If I have problems is there a contact person that I can discuss those problems with and does that person and or persons have the ability to contact you if they are unable to solve the problem? There are a million more questions that should be asked... but a surgeon's skill is not the only important factor when making your choice. Lisa... I think I have figured out what exacerbated the stomach pain. I bought Centrum adult chewable Vitamins and started taking them shortly before all of this started... I stopped taking them Monday and the problem has steadily improved. Yesterday I thought... hey... I feel pretty good today... so I took my Vitamin again. Guess what... cramping... shooting pains... all of it returned full force. So... still think that the EGD will be a good thing if only to find out why my stomach would be so sensative to a simple MVI. Before... I was taking one chewable children's vitamin... so... maybe it is just a coinkeedink... but it's the only thing that I added at the time the pain started. Today... I start composing my letter... I'll share it when I get it completed and see what you all think! I will take it with me for my appointment this Friday and deliver it personally. (((hugs))) Darcy