DeLarla

I really like this thread. I always felt so alone about my school days. Not only did the kids and teachers hurt me terribly, but my a$$hole (father) abandoned ship before I could walk because he needed to hide from my insane mother. That's right, Buddy, leave the whack-job with 3 babies. So my mom was/is Looney Toons, mean, ugly, abusive, no right having kids. Never heard the word "love" growing up - just got beat up a lot. But that's the past. I refuse to blame my past on the way I am today. Sure, I'm fat because of my past, but not because of how awful it was - the only reason I'm fat today is because binge eating became such a bad habit. So I no longer eat for emotional reasons, I eat because of the severe food addiction... wait, I mean I USED TO eat that way. If my band goes wrong... gosh, if it ever goes wrong and they have to remove it I'll just not wake up from the anesthesia! Plain and simple. And no regrets or sadness, just peace. I wish I could find a decent therapist who I could say all these things to. I've seen plenty over my life, but they're all clueless. One woman ate a bag of Gummy Bears during my therapy and watched me intensely, as if I were a Lifetime movie cuz she'd never heard anything so awful. Another one wrote notes and asked if she could use them because she learned so much from me. One guy treated me for seizure disorder - never figured that one out. Who's the patient here?

POOF, we are all at goal! Donali, I doubt it's Alzheimers so you must be healing. I'll never, ever forget how awful life was. People ask me if I'm going to my high school reunions and I look at them like they're crazy. What for? To shoot up the room? Gag at the thought of seeing faces from those horrible years. I always thought God gave us fat suits as a gift. Just think, if we were thin young thangs, we'd have gone through hundreds more men (lying, cheating, hurting.) Not that all guys are bad, but I see the way guys look at my thin friends as if they are hunks of raw meat. Pretty thin girls can never really be sure if guys like them for what's on the inside. At least I know my husband fell in love with me and not because I look hot in a bikini. Actually, I think I was issued the fat suit cuz I'd have been a slut and a pole dancer! HAHAHA Not that all pole dancers are sluts, but I really love being naked. I'd probably be an exhibitionist if I wasn't embarrassed of my bod. I'd definitely have danced at some strip club, because being a paralegal is too hard and too boring while the damn strippers are making 5 times my wages!

Thanks for the tip, Donali, but didn't I tell you I was a superior being that will never PB, will never need a fill, will never have any more problems with my band, and that after I use the bathroom it smells like roses? Thanks for keeping me in line because I keep forgetting that there are fills in my future. I'm still tortured till this day with memories of my childhood. Here's an idea, let's all list the hos & bitches that made life miserable. We can decide what to do with the list later. The people I'd really like to get even with one day are: Leslie Jue Kelly McBride Dirk Dahl Jane Shay Chris Fall Marie Galan Cynthia & Celeste Mrs. Cheetham, 7th grade math teacher most likely 6ft under now Mr. Arrow, 6th grade teacher who teased me about being fat Mommy Dearest Dickhead Daddy Boy, that was kinda fun.

Dr. Ortiz said that most errosion occurs within the first two years. But I forgot to ask what the symptoms are. Can't we just drink battery acid or something to clean the errosion?

Right before my surgery I was in a panic to eat as much as possible. But I was making myself sick and couldn't eat everything I planned. I was worried that I had to eat it all before I got the band, but now I look back and realize I didn't need to do that because I can eat anything now. This is much different than a diet because I can eat whatever I want. A lot of people have trouble with certain foods, but not me. Damn, I always knew I was a freak, but nothing bothers my band. But I eat much slower and chew my food till it's mushy (instead of my old chomp-chomp-swallow.) So I allow myself 20 minutes then I toss out the rest. I'm not sure what "full" feels like yet, so this is the safest way for me. There's a sign in the music store here, right by the guitars that says, "DO NOT PLAY STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN." Funny stuff!

Hi Cindy, Happy Band! Lis

In Vegas we have Plus Size Resale. I take all my clothes there, then they send me checks once a month for the stuff that sells. I suggest learning a musical instrument. I dusted off my old guitar. I also started going to the gym and visiting friends at night. Just show up on their doorstep and force yourself in! I've been spending more time with friends, just watching TV at their homes or laying around their back yards. It keeps my mind out of my kitchen. And they apparently don't mind cuz they keep calling me!

I could only dream of having that flabby thing removed. I have a picture when I was 7 in a bikini showing my "pooch." I've had it way too long. Wow, Sue, that's awesome. Hope you feel better quick since summer is here and you'll want to show off your new belly!

Dr. Lopez did my surgery, but I met Dr. Ortiz while in the hospital. I was extremely impressed with him as well as Lopez. I wasn't even a patient of Dr. Ortiz, but he checked up on me twice anyway. Uh, and he's not a bad looker either! Hot damn!

Oh my gosh, is Sue getting the belly fat removed? That's my dream! Also want my turkey gobble, arm flab and inner thigh jiggle removed one day! Who hoooo! Get better Sue & send pics!

I don't hate you, and I refuse to grit my teeth over this. I have dual insurance coverage (my work plus hubby's.) Neither of my insurance companies would cover the band. I was told to appeal it and was also told that I could probably get my doctors to get the insurance companies to pay. However, one goal in my life is to eliminate any excess stress, so I didn't even try to appeal. Rock on that your insurance covers 100%. Lucky you! I've been getting my nails done twice a month for 2 decades. I gave up that luxury, plus I cancelled our Arrowhead Water delivery and brought one of those Britta filters. These two expenses plus what I'm saving in fast-food will pay for my band. Oh, but my insurances would have covered bypass surgery. Maybe one day they'll cover bands for others.

I lived in So. California 20 years and now live in Vegas. Dr. Juan Antonio Lopez Corvala did my surgery in Tijuana. He used to be partnered with Dr. Oritz, but now Ortiz has his own practice. I was fortunate to meet both of them (there were 2 Lopez patients and 4 Ortiz patients with me in the hospital getting banded.) Both Lopez and Ortiz are the-best-of-the-best and actually train American doctors on lap band procedures. I was apprehensive about going to Mexico, but the staff takes excellent care of American patients. I haven't had a fill yet, but my friend just flew to San Diego for her first fill. She took a trolly from the airport to the border, then walked across the border into Mexico where Dr. Lopez's staff was waiting to drive her to the hospital to get filled. The fill was $50.00 plus $100 for the x-ray. You might consider calling them per Donali's advice. Lopez's staff has California numbers. The clinic is called Obesity Control Clinic, and the coordinator is Nora (619) 247-4813.

Donalie, some of us newbies don't know all the band lingo yet. What is PS? Which Sue are you referring to? I must know ALL! : )

The only thing I was scared of was that I ALMOST had a gastric bypass operation!!! The last thing running through my mind before my band surgery (while the anesthisiologist was standing over me) was a panic thought that, "OH MY GOD, I ALMOST ALLOWED MYSELF TO BE MUTILATED." I was awashed by relief over my choice to be banded. The doctors and hospital staff made me feel very safe and cared for. No, this surgery isn't any fun, but it's also not the worst surgery in the world (by far.) I'm still a newbie (less than one month post op) but I'd be devastated if my band goes wrong one day. I'm relieved that I have a band. I feel very special and fortunate. Good luck, remember to smile in your heart and you'll be fine. We're all here for ya!

Kel, I'm wondering how they charge you for fills and unfills. Do you have to pay for every office visit? Getting a fill is an expensive journey for lots of us who have to fly to Mexico or drive several hours. I hate to think of flying to get a fill then flying to get an unfill, plus paying the doctor's charges.

This goes out to anyone who has lost a hundred pounds or so. Can you give us all an idea of what you eat every day? Today is my first day on real food. I'm instructed to have one protein shake plus 2 real meals every day. I had my shake for breakfast. For lunch 1/3 burrito with a couple chips & salsa. Dinner will be about the same as lunch. It's all so baffling when I read about people who are not losing weight. I could have eaten more of my burrito. How long before I can tell the difference between being full or hungry vs. the tightness and oddness of the way the band feels in my belly? Does that make sense?

Wow, Shelly, amazing. You're awesome! Last time I weighed I was up 2 pounds, so I'm not weighing again till after my monthly cycle passes. It's supposed to be here any day. Friday will be one month post op. I'd like to weigh in on Friday. I wonder if Mother Nature will cooperate and show up today?

If you go directly through Dr. Lopez's office, you save lots of money. I think Bandlite is a referral service because I didn't use them. I called his office direct and saved money.

As most of you know, I've been a big leaker. My port site first leaked from the left for 2 days. It healed, but then leaked from the right for a couple weeks. Last week it slowed to one drop every 10 minutes, so I was told to keep it covered with gauze and change the dressing so the incision wasn't constantly moist. Yestday I went to change the gauze, but it stuck to the wound. I kept the gauze there because the incision finally dried, so I'm hoping the gauze will fall off in a few days (kinda like a baby's belly button, right?) Anyway, my port scar is big and puffy and red. It's not inflamed, but it looks like a red caterpillar, all poofy and raised and mushy. Years ago I had stitches on my shoulder, and the scar looked like this, which my doctor called a "keloid." Does anyone else have this problem? The other 4 incisions are flat and look great, but I think my port incision will be an ugly kiloid.

What's the name of that movie my neighbor kids dragged me to see last month? The good guy in the movie is actually a devil monster. He's a real sensitive guy that works for our government, and even though he looks like the devil he files his horns down to try to "fit in." Donali, he's your kinda guy! I got the kiloid on my shoulder when I was 16. My brother & I were swimming in the pool and both got shot from neighbors using us as targets. Coulda taken out an eye! I got skinned deep across the shoulder and ended up with a cyst from trapped metal. After they removed the cyst I got the kiloid. My mom freaked & took me to a doc who injected the kiloid with something that didn't help much. He said I could have it removed but I'd be taking a chance of it ending up worse. I read about Suprex scar treatment yesterday. It's a patch that's supposed to shrink the kiloid. I'll let it heal more before trying it. I soaked the gauze off yesterday - shouldn't have done it because I'm back to the smallest leak possible. I just stuck another piece of gauze on hoping it will harden again. That's what I get for listening to a man!

I guess I'll just have my scar pierced. It could probably accomdate about 6 small rings or 4 larger hoops. Are you serious with the horn implants? I think just considering doing it with a guy with horns qualifies you as a wild woman! Lemme ask you this: I was still leaking yesterday morning, but when I changed my gauze in the afternoon, it stuck to the wound. So I left it there. It's a quarter inch square of gauze and it's plastered like a cast to the wound, so the leaking has stopped. I was going to leave it until it falls off naturally, but my husband is worried that fibers from the gauze might get trapped in the wound. Odd, but that's how the keloid on my shoulder started. After getting shot with a b-b gun, a fragment of the b-b metal got trapped under the skin and caused a cyst, which was removed leaving the kiloid. I read about some stuff called Suprex, which is a patch you put on the kiloid. I'll try it as soon as my port calms down. It's really red and tender yet.

There's just so much to learn here. Did they do your fill under fluorscopy? If so, how come they filled so tight? Is your tight restriction normal? And why the hell don't we all get skinny faster considering we are barely eating? That was a rhetorical question, naturally, but who said life was fair? Kelly, you're lucky to have a doctor nearby that can see you. I found a local one that charges $150.00 for a consult, then $300 for a blind fill, or he'll do it under fluoro if I pay the hospital in addition to his charges. My port scar is pretty scarey so I'm close to making a consult appointment. It's a big lump that you can see through my shirt. Like a giant red caterpillar ready to explode. How about all of have a normal day tomorrow?

Aspiration pneumonia? Never heard of it but it sounds like something I'd be prone to. I often thought I took Water int my lungs while coughing or from food going down the wrong pipe, or coming back up, which used to happen often when I overate. Where on the boards can I find this post? As far as drinking before bed, I disagree with the 3 hour rule. I drink all night long because I live in the desert and my throat gets too parched to sleep. As long as I don't eat late I'm able to take in a lot of liquids. However, if I eat too much dinner or if I have a snack at night, I sometimes feel a little burp of liquid coming back up. I think it's all about food in the pouch. A bad habit I'm trying to break is snacking after dinner. My normal weight friends don't eat anything after dinner (some of the sickos don't even eat dinner) so I'm trying to have only liquids after dinner. I'm having tea with honey, decaf, or juice, and I'm able to sleep comfy.

JKA, I'm keeping my eye on you since Dr. Lopez did me on 5/5/04. Good luck to us!

Oh, and pack light! Everyone else brought way too much stuff that they never used. I brought a cloth totebag with a shoulder strap packed with basic essentials - nothing more. Sorry for busting my friend's chops, but Francesca brought 6 nightgowns and never wore one (sorry Fran, all in fun here.) People brought laptops, books, magazines, extra shoes, several outfits but never used anything. TV and socializing was all we had the enthusiasm for. Everyone wheeled luggage around while I had a simple bag thrown over my shoulder. However, I was the only one that went alone while they all had family to help with luggage. But really, it's only a couple days, so do yourself a favor and bring just the basics. I brough moisturizer but left all my makeup and jewelry at home. I did bring a bottle of Gatorade, which came in handy. I lugged around my own water but the hospital had bottled water so I could have left it behind. You'll live in a hospital gown while there, so you can wear the same outfit to and from. Something loose & comfy, nothing binding. I started sipping Gatorade the minute I was brought back to my room because I was really nausious and wanted to start flushing the anesthesia & drugs from my system ASAP. I never vomited while others did - maybe the Gato helped?