DeLarla

Here's a related post that I'm borrowing from another board. The woman asked if anyone else experiences horrible heartburn. Here's a guy's response that sounded like he has a slippage based on the "mushroom" description. His doc is giving him 2-3 weeks to heal after unfilling him: hi, i had very bad reflux to the point i was barfing almost every night, i went to my band doc and swallowed barium. what happened is that my stomach overlapped my band causing a mushroom effect over the band. he released some of the Fluid from the band and said we will see if the stomach goes back in the band 2-3 weeks from now. if not he said they could re-insert the stomach laparoscopically. the problem is that i have gained 5 pounds in the last 2 weeks. have you had a barium swallow to see if this happened to you?

Vine, I can't PM you because your PM box is full. This is a friendly reminder for everyone to clean out your PM box or messages will get rejected. I've been rejected by Vines!

Travel safe. Bye!

I have no idea how you made it so far without us, but I'm glad you finally made it home.

Patty, just post a picture, any size. One of us will shrink it. Or e-mail one of us a pic. I volunteer Penni or Kelly unless you want to wait for me to get home tonight. I can do it now from my home puter! lisabones@cox.net

Matt, an avatar is the cute pic you see of our darling faces. Go to USER CD at the top left, then click on "change avatar." You'll have an option to browse your computer for a picture. But you have to shrink it first to smaller than 50x50 pixels. Those that know me are cracking up now because I act like I know what I'm talking about.

Matt, throwing up is much different than a PB. A PB happens before the food gets to the stomach (it gets trapped above the pouch and comes back up with slime.) Too much PBing does cause stress and should be avoided, but vomitting is much worse. Throwing up happens after the food has passed through the band and is sitting inside your pouch. If you get sick and throw up, the food has to pass upward passed the band, through the tiny opening. I hope I'm right about this because no doctor ever explained it that way, it's just coming from personal experience. Many bandsters ask for a prescription of a suppository that you can use if the stomach flu hits you. I'm not sure what it is, but I think I've seen this topic. Try doing a search. Good luck, now post your avatar so we can really talk!

If you can't afford a second surgery, you might want think about this some more before leaving for Mexico. It's a gamble no matter what doctor or country you chose. Yes, I went to Mexico, but who's to blame for my infection? The fact is, a percentage of us will have complications that cost us extra money. I certainly didn't expect it, and the complications financially devastated me (I'm working 2 jobs now pulling myself out of the mess.) I'm not the only one that had to go back to Mexico. You might have to rush back for an emergency unfill, or a port revision. If you live close to TJ, you have a great advantage. In the US, fees are fees. In Mexico, the doctors might "work with you" in special financial situations. You might have to stay an extra night or miss a flight. Be prepared for anything. Call your doc and discuss these concerns. Don't let me scare you because lots of people fly through this with no complications. Keep reading. Making an informed decision is the safest and smartest thing you can do.

Matt, my original port never healed from surgery and became badly infected, so I had a second surgery to remove it. Eight months later the port was replaced, but the doctor should never have put a new port through the old wound, because there were trace bacteria deposits that infected the new port. So I had another surgery to remove the 2nd port. Now I'm portless and trying to just through the year before even thinking about another surgery.

Is it me, or did it get warm in here?

I'm really, really, really supposed to be doing paralegal stuff now. But I can't let go of the Bash and my family here. I love you guys so much, ya know that? I took the first step by going to the post office for passport forms. Zoe, I've been practicing French CDs in my car for months, plus I speak Spanish so it makes it a little easier. But I don't think I'll try to pass my "goodies" through customs. Thanks for all the port-support (haha, rhymes.) Let's see how I feel after the holidays.

WINK, Hi secret friend!

Many weightloss doctors hold regular seminars. I attended one here in Vegas, where 2 doctors work together doing both bypass and Lapband. They explained the pros and cons of each surgery. There were lots of factors, but I ended up with the band. It's a personal decision for each of us. The band is less invasive, a safer surgery, and completely removable. You can gain weight back with either surgery, but once you get the bypass, your body has changed for life. With the band, your body goes back to normal if it's removed. Good luck with your decision.

Okay, I did it. I don't know why, what or how, but some coupon is printing off my puter! Thanks.

Good luck on this wild & crazy adventure!

Hi there, glad you stopped by. Good luck on your journey. Enquiring minds want to know. Are you related to the map people?

My moods ebb and flow like the tides. I never said I won't get a port, I just said "right now" isn't the time to think in that direction. Gag, barf, spew. I can't stomach the thought of another cut or open wound unless it's for full body plastic surgery, then show me the table! Kathy, in a few years I'm leaving my paralegal job. I can't sit on my butt much longer. Slumber Parties is awesome, but there are millions to be made in real estate. Slumber Parties will practically run itself while I buy houses, fix them, then resell them. Also, I'll be making hundreds of presentations over the years, and that's too much personal contact to let slide. So far, all my Slumber gals have been more than fabulous because they come to me. I won't have to go looking for RE clients, but my gals will know I'm there for their bedroom needs as well as the roof it sits under! Like a package deal. My poor husband walked around moping from lack of attention, but even our marriage has improved 110% because of SP. Now instead of missing me, he helps! Ask Jenna about the catalog that she got in the mail that was all jacked up and taped closed because his big pipefitter hands don't know how to work an envelope, but he's trying!

One thing you must rely on is your instinct. If women's intution is telling you to hold onto the band, then listen to your gut. Don't fret and stew over a decision that doesn't have to be made right now. Ditch the gallbladder and keep the band till you know you're ready to let it go.

Wow, Pam. I dig that kind of honesty. Makes me want to torture myself with yet another port replacement and keep my band afterall. Thanks for that.

Good luck, Cissy. See you on the banded side!

Mommy, I'm happy with my band, and I don't regret it. However, I might decide to have it removed some day. You asked for honesty, so here goes. Most people only post about positive experiences. People are often afraid to post negative statements about their experiences or doctors in fear that they won't get further care, and for other reasons, such as simply not wanting to pooh on the parade. The problem with my band is the lack of aftercare. I wasn't able to afford a band in the United States, so I went to Mexico. I've had many complications and ended up having 3 additional major surgeries as well as several local urgent care surgeries. The amount added up to an overwhelming sum. Seems to me that the people who love their bands are the ones that are close to their doctors, or that have insurance that cover both the surgery and the aftercare. It's always going to be a gamble, but you're doing the right thing by gathering all the information up front. If I had a local doctor, this might have been a more positive response. Good luck with your decision. One thing you already have on your side is this site. I would hate to see anyone even thinking about the band without joining lapbandtalk.com first. There are other boards, but there's no place like home, and here you are.

I've been avoiding this thread all day because I was afraid to get on the scale myself. But I finally made it here to read such amazing news. Girl, give yourself a pat on the back! No, forget about the pat, go get yourself a well-deserved spa treatment! Congrads, and it's nice to see you out of the closet.

When my mother-in-law passed, I was sure there was no possible way humans were designed to withstand the pain I watched my husband endure. It was awful for me to see, so I can't imagine how you feel. Sounds like you have wonderful, loving memories - hold them close to your heart, and get that Band for Mom when you're ready.

Fight it with all you got. If you have health problems due to your weight, appeal, appeal, appeal. People can and do win.

I had to delete it for 2 seconds then start over because it was all screwed up trying to make it colored and bolded and fancy. Too complicated. Anything ordered from my site gets shipped directly from the warehouse, completely confidential. The company then gives me credit to shop with, which is how I build my inventory and keep it stocked. Did anyone at my party have to wait for orders to be shipped? Heck no, not in Lisa Land! Thanks gals, this is super fun. If anyone is bored or wants bunches of extra money, feel free to call me. I'm blown away!