DeLarla

First, congrads on your decision and good luck with your surgery. But would you mind asking your surgeon some questions? We need some fresh opinions (in my stale opinion!) These things have been discussed many times here at LBT, but all the surgeons have different opinions, so what's the latest opinion on: 1. Carbonation: Does it cause erosion? Does it stretch the pouch? Or do we avoid it simply because it causes gas pains? 2. Alcohol: Does it cause erosion, or do we avoid it because it's empty calories? 3. Drinking before and after meals: How long to wait after eating? What are their reasons for these rules? 4. NSAIDs - is there any new information regarding them causing erosion? Any new info out there? Anything you can share would be greatly appreciated. I've had my band one year but I still get tons of different information, so I'm curious what today's docs are saying. THANKS! Oh, anyone can add to these questions.

I'd be happy with over 11 pounds a month... hell yeah!

AWESOME! Back then we had more chins than a Chinese phone book!

Hmm, more good info. Can you slip your band by eating too much (stretching the pouch too full?)

Boo hoo, I want my own local doctor. A new band doc could make a killing in Vegas. Maybe I'll post an ad on E-bay for one.

What kind of pain are you talking about? I'm surprised that I had no pain. I had a lot of discomfort, but nothing really hurt, and all I took were some funky Mexican pills (I didn't get a good buzz with them like I do on Lortab.) You can ask for something stronger and crush it if the pharmacist says that's okay. And lay on a heating pad. Use it for your back or shoulders, which brought me huge comfort.

Finally, someone talks about stuff I understand considering I work for a construction defect firm and have my real estate license. WOO HOO, girl! I hate when cases have to go all the way to trial. It's such a waste of money. The amount in attorneys' fees alone could have paid the repairs. That should teach C-21 from messing with you! Congrads on getting rid of the headache of the century!

Thank you! That makes perfect sense. I'm able to eat much more if I sip a soda. I never drank Pepsi pre-band (everything was diet) but I got into a new Pepsi-at-2:00 habit. I read that one Pepsi a day for a whole year can add 30 pounds. Maybe they were talking about a Big Gulp. Either way, it's a nasty habit. I like the 2-hour wait rule, also. I stay full all afternoon if I avoid liquids, which is why I pound my Water all morning. Pea... hold on while I chug water for you... done. The only thing proven safe so far is Tylenol (as far as OTC pain meds.) NSAIDs are non-steroidal anti-inflammatories like Motrin or Advil. Regular aspirin is bad, also. Betty, who is your doc? He sound very knowledgeable (unlike some others we all know and love... NOT.)

Go to USER CP at the top left of the screen, then click on EDIT SIGNATURE. Type your information in the box, then hit SAVE.

I've personally never heard of a slip fixing itself. Slips usually require surgery from what I understand. Maybe you could call another doc and get a second opinion? Good luck. Let us know the outcome.

Here's this huge link where they explain about voting for the worst, and it even has a picture of Scott's prison mug shot. They should all be sued and arrested... now THAT would make some great reality TV! ROCK ON, CONSTANTINE! XOXOXO http://search.aimhome.netscape.com/aim/boomframe.jsp?query=vote+for+the+worst+idol&page=1&offset=0&result_url=redir%3Fsrc%3Dwebsearch%26requestId%3D3aff4f74b4c01041%26clickedItemRank%3D1%26userQuery%3Dvote%2Bfor%2Bthe%2Bworst%2Bidol%26clickedItemURN%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.griffinity.com%252Fdave%252F%26invocationType%3D-%26fromPage%3DAIMToolbar%26amp%3BampTest%3D1&remove_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.griffinity.com%2Fdave%2F

They always ask for people that need to preboard, like the elderly or women with small children. Just join that group and board before the rest of the people. They usually don't ask questions, but if they do you can tell them you are recovering from surgery. Then you'll have plenty of privacy and you can ask for the extension privately. You could even tell them you need an extension because of stitches or something.

Votetheworst.com makes sense. How sad that we have sucha screwed up society. I was relating this to when Richard Hatch won survivor. The world HATED him. He was obnoxious and a complete idiot, yet he won the million bucks. Same thing's going on here. I bet Scott wins. Poor guy, this is actually a huge slap in the face for him. He "thinks" he's hot based on votes, but he's just being made fun of.

Regardless of how bad Constantine's performance was on Tuesday, he's got more screaming fans than anyone else. There are message boards all over the internet, and he, Bo & Carrie are the most popular. There's no possible way America voted him out. It's all rigged. Everyone hates Scott except for a few ghetto-lovin' fools - he mumbles and acts like a wannabe gangsta. I was on a game show many years ago, and they manipulated the entire game to get better ratings. It's what TV does. Sad but true. And very dishonest.

According to Boarder Patrol, starting next year you'll need a passport to cross the border.

I'm reading between the lines... Teresa, are YOU pregnant??????? TERESA IS PREGNANT, TERESA IS PREGNANT! Just kidding... couldn't resist.

All I can say is, "I'M JEALOUS." Can I borrow some of that willpower?

Babs, you are the first person I ever heard that had such an extensive psyche eval. Just more proof that every single doctor is different. You should see the extensive testing they do in Mexico prior to surgery (NOT.) They take you to the lab for blood, then straight to the cardiologist for about an hour, then to the nutritionalist/psychologist/assistant for a video and small talk, then straight to surgery the same afternoon. My plane landed at noon and I was in recovery by 4:00 p.m.! Mexico does have it's benefits, that's for sure!

I always knew booze screws up your metabolism, and I also realize that barfing your guts up after a drunken suarez can cause slippage. But can the alcohol itself pickle your stomach and cause erosion? Thanks for all your answers. I like the comment about asking your doctor to back up with proof. I say this cuz I asked Lopez if fizzy carbonation causes pouch stretching, and he laughed and said "there's no proof." He said carbonated liquids pass right through to the bottom part of the stomach as do any liquids, and the only problem is when the gasses try to come back up, it causes discomfort. This is why I like to hear all the opinions, especially ones from different countries. Thanks all!

I've been lucky to some extent. My insurance covered a lot of my complications. I'm still stuck with several thousand in co-payments, but I could have been stuck with $30,000. Think "the squeaky wheel gets the oil." What I mean is to bark up your original surgeon's tree long enough and they might agree to help you out financially if you have complications by giving you reduced rates to some extent.

Never thought of it that way, but I've averaged about 1.35 lbs a week. I'll take that any day!

I gained the other 7 pounds... thanks a lot, soul sister.

Thanks, I know this stuff has been discussed a lot, but with the Band being so new, it's nice to get current info. One I forgot about - slippage: Any information on what causes slippage. I know we are supposed to avoid vomitting, but what if we get a stomach bug? What are the signs/symptoms, etc.

Wait a second here.... I didn't know Old Navy carried Plus sizes???? Wow, I gotta check that out. Congrads on your loss, that must feel amazing.

Dramamine contains the same medicine as Benedryl. You can buy liquid Benedry, which slides right down with no problem. I adored Hawaii... if you are in your mushy stage, you could live off the macadamia ice cream and just spit out the nuts! You sound like me, I go on vacation to eat, but I also weighed over 300 pounds. What's more important? You say you're getting banded in early May and traveling late May? Most people feel good after 2 weeks (a lot of people feel better much sooner.)