DeLarla

Bruising is usually black, blue, green, but then as you heal it lightens up and looks yellowish. When you say red, is the area hot? Tap on the area - does it seem like it's filled with fluid and ready to pop open? Is it warm, inflammed, red, hot? Any foul odor? Any leaking? Bruising (even yellow) is normal. Infection is not. I've had 2 ports removed due to infection. One doctor told me I was rejecting the port, but another doctor told me there's nothing in any medical literature about "rejection." An infected port, however, could lead to "erosion." If you have any of the above symptoms of infection, see your doctor ASAP.

Something has to give soon. I'm starting my novel-of-a-letter to the FDA this weekend. I'll send a copy every day till something is done. Most of us that had to resort to Mexico for surgery are all in deep doodie right now (the ones that can't find local aftercare.) I'm in the middle of a nervous breakdown because I don't have a local doctor. I'll never go back to Mexico, and right now I don't even have a port. I consider my Band a lifesaving device that my insurance should cover. I don't even know what I'm trying to say, but something has got to be done for those of us that can't find local care.

I've used 6 Band surgeons (4 in Mexico, 1 in California, 1 in Vegas.) I had to go to Mexico three times and have two ports removed, so I've read nearly every post on these boards for support. After all I've been through, Dr. Rumbault would be my choice if I had to do it all over again. I've never met him, but I"m very impressed with his reputation.

I'm in Vegas near Henderson. The Windmill west exit off the 215 Freeway, really close to the offramp. I'll PM you the address. My husband would get a kick out of someone riding their bike to the party!

Sorry to hear you're feeling poopy. Your body has been through so much. Allow anyone and everyone to pamper you. Heck, send them out for a 2nd heating pad if you want to. My heating pad was my best friend, but it didn't stay hot enough. I say get two. I'm also a big fan of pain meds. Lots of people refuse to take them, which cracks me up. I mean, if you're morbidly obese to the point of needing weight loss surgery, then you've eaten more than a fair share of crap that's bad for you, right? So take the meds and relax. My Mexican pain meds were melted in Water. Other ones I had to crush. I never even had any pain because I stayed on them for a few days even if I didn't feel the need. They made the gas & bloating discomfort easier to deal with. And they made me all floaty. I like floaty. Sending healing vibes to both of you. How cute that you're recovering together here!

No wonder I'm sluggish. I don't have a port so my oil is dirty. Sigh.

Struggling, desperately. Yesterday was my first half decent day. I fasted all day after thinking I hurt my band by eating too much, then I made a pot of amazing Soup. I ended up eating 4 medium bowls, but it's all healthy and mostly broth. Then I ate a cup of low fat pudding to get some dairy in. Today I had a Coke. And a Diet Coke (damn it, I hate confessions.) A lowfat Yoplait for lunch. 1/2 gallon Water. That's it so far. More soup for dinner & another pudding if Chris doesn't get to it. I'm doing this whole sabotage thing. Not sure why. Wish the guys in white coats would get here already.

Here's a good one. Before I got my band I was moving forward with the bypass (since my insurance covers bypass.) My primary doc is like my girlfriend, and she begged me not to get a bypass. She asked me if I'd try a new diet pill first. So I took her speed, which made my blood pressure go sky high, then the insomnia kicked in. I had an appointment with my gyno, who knew I was on the diet pills. She gave me blood pressure medicine and Xanax to help me sleep and to take the edge off the diet pills. Pretty blue pill for Breakfast, white one for lunch, blue for dinner. How patriotic. And deadly. So I took out a loan and got the Band.

No matter what way you look at milk, it's the one food that's been around since the beginning of time. Okay, maybe amoebas don't have nipples but you get my drift. The fact that anyone would say milk is bad is just silly. It's got staying power. It's convenient, affordable, healthy, yummy (when chocolate falls in it) and it's even cute. Nothing is really "good" for us if you pick it apart enough. Chemicals in Water, bacteria in the air. I say drink up. This whole dairy thing is popping up all over the place. It's finally one "diet" trick I can live with. Say yes to dairy! Woo hoo. I hate the whole "soy milk" craze as well as the whole "holistic" craze. Screw soy and chamomile tea. Give me a Xanax and a cocktail.

Well, I was gonna fly out for the night but then I saw all them rules. Phooey!

Jenna, not only does it count, but I already crown you Queen Too-Too for such talent. Zoe, you're scaring me... did I actually say something in French? I really am listening to tapes, but I didn't think I knew anything!

You people that get on the computer the day after banding simply amaze me. I was able to get up and walk quite a bit, but the thought of concentrating and getting on-line wasn't something I could handle. I was, however, in Mexico with no computer, but I'm not sure I'd have gotten on the computer if I had one. Just wanted to walk and lay there making grimacing faces at all the swelling and noises coming from me. Glad to see you on the healthy side with a new band. Good luck

A lot of it depends on your surgeon. Many people aren't even given a pre-op diet. I was banded with about 6 other people, and half of them ate piles of Mexican food the night before surgery (bitches, hahaha.) Everyone else had different pre-op dieting instructions. One gal was on a liquid protein shake fast for several weeks. I was simply told to eat low-cal for one week, then fast 24 hours before. I did okay for a couple days, then binged bigtime. I was worried they'd turn me away, but the doctor just said, "don't worry, Honey, this Band is going to help you."

I bet if you tell Ortiz about your money issues he'd give you a break. He might even let you sleep at his facility if it's not a busy day. Heck, ask him if you could sleep on the couch in the lobby. But here's the question of the day: If your Oregon doctor was able to remove the fill, why not beg, plead, hell, threaten if you gotta for them to put the fill back in after you're healed? Have you even asked them? Maybe if you become their new "pet patient" they might consider taking on other fill patients. Stranger things have happened. I understand your money troubles - many of us have been in the same boat. I certainly didn't have money for this band, then the complications I had nearly bankrupted me. I'm in huge debt over the whole thing but we're talking about a life-saving device here. I struggled horribly when I lived in Oregon cause the job & income situation sucked back then. Don't feel bad about asking Ortiz for help. I have little secrets about Mexican surgeons that were very generous to me, I just don't post them because then everyone would expect the same, regardless of how much money they have. Human nature and all. Nykee, when you're ready to go for your fill, just post here. There are generous and helpful people here. You never know, maybe you could hitch a ride or share expenses. Good luck. Glad you're feeling better.

No more hiding in the closet. Come out and play!

I like the one that came with my Danskin weights that I bought at Walmart. It's a cute barbell that only comes with around 17 pounds worth of weights, but it's coated in colored rubber to protect our nails (how cute is that?) It comes with a work out video. Very easy, plus you tone up at the same time, and the weights aren't too heavy. I bought a couple extra 2 lbs weights to kick it up a notch.

Another fun thread! I'm a Libra. Actually, a double-Libra. Many years ago I read the best ever astrology book, it was Linda Goodman's Bedside Astrologer, I think. Anyway, there was the greatest story in there that gave a really cool description of each of the zodiac signs. Does anyone have the book that could copy that story for me? It's a story I tell people all the time. Basically, there's a group of 12 women sitting in a circle, one from each sign of the zodiac. The hostess asks each person to talk about how they feel about old-fashioned calling cards. I guess way before phones were invented, well-to-do folks would have custom calling cards printed, and when they wanted a visit, they'd send their butler or runner to deliver these calling cards as an invitation to "come calling." So the hostess asked each person their opinion on calling cards. I only remember a few of the responses, and it's amazing how they are so much like the friends in my life who share the signs. Here's the responses I remember: Gemini says, "Calling cards? How much do they cost?" In my experience, Geminis are the penny pinchers of the zodiac, so I thought that was an accurate response. Aquarian's response, "Is that thunder I hear?" This one cracks me up because I'm married to an Aquarian, who are famous for being perpetually "out to lunch" and in a world of their very own. Sagitarrius, "Who the hell has time for calling cards?" Virgo (the critical perfectionist) Well, naturally, as long as they are gilded in gold. Libra goes on for pages & pages & analyzes till everyone falls asleep. Did I mention I'm a Libra? Has anyone seen this? I'd love a copy. Virgo

Am I the only one that can eat salted sour cream right out of the container? Not that I do, but ohhhhh, I could! Mouth watering now.

Very, I CAN sing in French. Well, not yet, but along with my guitar lessons I purchased French lesson CDs and have been practicing for over a month. Any requests? Do I even know a French song? Something about a brother named Jake? I feel pretty: Je suis jolie?

I think there's 2 kinds of people when it comes to loving dogs: People that have human children and dogs, and people that only have dogs. I only have dogs. It's all I know. They are my heart and soul and would hurt just as bad as the loss of any human - maybe worse. I share my pillow with a 50 pound Pitbull, the angel of my eyes. I wake up to her face snuggled in the palm of my hand. I think you can only form this kind of bond if you never had a child. I lost my Cockateil 2 years ago. I still keep his feathers and pictures near by and talk to him like he's still here. Anyone got an extra kid?

Everyone get out your tu-tus. This year we are having entertainment - US. Anyone that can sing, dance, perform, get your act together. Penni and I will be playing guitars for sing-alongs to Eagles tunes and You Are My Sunshine. Did I mention neither of us can play a guitar? Penni, can you carry a tune? I can't. Start practicing! I started lessons a few weeks ago.

Okay, everyone go to the 2005 Vegas Bash thread.

www.2424milk.com Everybody go to this website. New fun facts about milk that back up this thread. There's even an eating plan where you can log in your intake.

I tried to avoid this post in fear of what I might find. I can't tell you how sorry I am. My husband rarely sleeps in bed with me any more cause my fur babies have priority in my household, so I know your pain must be fierce. Could you post a picture of baby Jake?

I LOVED the Cabbage Soup Diet... for the first few days. Then I hung a "No Cabbage" sign on my front door.