hagerteresa

Hi Sue, I was a nervous wreck too but it all went pretty smoothly. I flew to San Diego on a friday morning, was picked up by a crazy taxi driver, taken to a business office where I had x-rays, cardiogram, blood test, saw nutricianist, etc and then taken to hotel. Had a last dinner with my brother. I was picked up the next morning (they never run on time) and taken to the hospital (Oasis of Hope) which was clean and comfy. Not resort-like like Penni's but pretty comfortable all the same. I was supposed to have surgery that saturday morning but an emergency (not band related) forced my surgery to be postponed several hours. I was starving and nervous. The nurses weren't able to let me know what was causing the delay but I was definitely in a good panic when they came and got me in the middle of the afternoon. I was rolled into the operating room, given an anti-anxiety thing and don't remember anything afterwards. Woke up later sore and odd feeling but was able to get up and go potty without any assistance. I was definitely ready to leave the next day but there was a policy about keeping us two nights. I toured the hallways visiting another band patient and fiddling with their patient computers. I flew home the next day which was a LONG day but it all went fine. I went grocery shopping the day after I got home fine. I took one week off of work and was able to go back fine. Bending over was tough and the liquid phase is tough but well worth it. Best wishes to you and I'm confident you'll do fine. Teresa:)

How long of a break? Ussually when I have a PB episode I am not even interested in eating further until the next meal time and then I make sure it is something that works easily. I think sometimes after a few weeks of none occurring I get a little over confident and don't pay enough attention but it is weird I can go so long without any problem and then suddenly things become a problem. I also get the depo shot and don't experience any part of the normal cycle. Anyway I'll be interested in the experiences of others, Teresa

Hi Sarah, I have been trying to get specifics on how often other people PB too. Sometimes I don't for weeks at a time and then BLAM, I'll have 2 or 3 experiences of it within a couple of days. I tend to believe that when it does happen it is because I haven't chewed well enough but other times I thought I chewed pretty darned good and it will happen. When it does happen it ussually isn't violent or anything, more just an uncomfortable feeling and then a spit up. I haven't even had a fill yet so I just need to be more aware of my eating. I really try to avoid these episodes and I know how frustrating it is having them. How often are yours? Best wishes to you, Teresa

Best of luck Dow and Debbie, I'll be thinking about you!!!! Teresa

Hi folks! I have an NSV and a good weigh week. The other day I tried a 2X shirt on I had gotten (recall I had always work 4 and 5 X shirts) and the 2X fit perfectly and was even a little loose. Could NOT believe it. My mom was even impressed. And then I went to weigh today and lost 3.2 lbs. I had only been losing about a pound a week for the last month or so, so I was really happy to get another decent drop. Didn't really do much diferently last week so ??? I was able to finally go swimming again on Tuesday though. I hadn't been to the pool in a month because of class and pool closures so it was nice to be back. Well best of luck to everybody. Lisa, I LOVE your pic. I think it is really cute. Teresa:)

Hi hanvan, Glad to hear both yours and your husbands work will at least let you get the day off. I do think you need to check the labor laws because in Oregon it is a 30 minute lunch and 2 15 minute breaks as well for an 8 hour day. I thought that was pretty standard in the U.S. Well, at least you only have to wait another week before you can quit if you want. Next week is the surgery!!!! I am sure you'll be getting nervous but remember we are all rooting for you and know you'll do great! Teresa

Those are all REALLY cute!!! I love critters, Teresa

Hi Tellie, I hope you feel better soon and sorry this has been such a painful experience. Best wishes, Teresa

Hi Butta, I got a laugh out of that line too. It is nice to meet you and I hope you come here and hang out often. Best wishes, Teresa

Hi Jodie, Nice to meet you. I know we do have a couple of other nurses on our forum. Glad you had such a good experience and wish you the best, Teresa

Best of luck Kari!!! Teresa

Kathy, So did I understand your email correctly and Tom (It is Tom, I checked) Eubanks moved to Oregon City? I think Oregon City is right up near the Portland area. If you get a new number for him please pass it on. Thanks, Teresa

Happy, happy, happy BIRTHDAY Lisa!!!!! Hope you have a good special day!!!! Teresa:)

Congratulations on that NSV Michelle. That was really a nice story to hear. Very uplifting. Keep up the good work, Teresa:)

Betty!!! I am so EXCITED for you!!! That is so cool! I can't wait till you can join us and ask lots of questions. Teresa

Hi Cindy, So glad you posted and have to echo what Michelle and Alex said. Protein, protein potein. I do one egg and a vegetarian sausage for breakfast, often 2 chicken legs and 1/4 cup of cottage cheese for a lunch or dinner, I also do cheeseburgers with all the fixings but no bun, etc. I still like my carbs but find I eat them much less often. I might have a bread product every few days rather than several in one day. I do still allow one sweet chocolaty treat a day but I try hard not to eat beyond that. Best wishes to you and keep us posted, Teresa

I loved pate's and hummus during my soft food stage. Best of luck to you both, Teresa

Hi Hanvan, Sorry your day has been so tough. It stinks your doctor can do that since he already had surgeries scheduled. Was his office even apologetic about it? How ridiculous... I wouldn't have been happy about it either. I had my surgery in Mexico and took my brother for support ( I had been talked into taking him). I really felt sad and scared down in Mexico without my husband and mom there but once my surgery was over my focus changed to just getting out of the hospital and home again. I know you really want your husband there but if for some reason he can't make it, you will still be better off having had the surgery done. I know it is hard to be tough ( I am a total hysterical wimp in hospitals) but I know you'll pull thru just fine and your hubby would be there as soon as he could. As far as your job, would a letter from the surgeons office explaining the change help the matter? Does your job know what procedure your having done? Shoot, what would they do if you had an emergency illness and couldn't make it in? My mom always told me the "catch more flies with honey than vinegar thing." Is it possible for you to be even more cheerful, polite and helpful the next few days? What kind of work do you do? Well sorry I haven't been too inspirational but I certainly wish the best to you and hopefully it all works out. Teresa

I just noticed it looks like you both have already lost a lot of weight. What have you done to do that? Teresa

It is pretty individual for fill times. I am just about 5 months out and haven't had a fill yet, while most others really need one at the 6-8 week period. I think it just depends on how tight they got it on there and how you individually react to certain levels of restriction. I find I still have to be very careful about chewing or deal with the consequences of a PB and my weight hasn't actually plateaued for more than one week. Being over-filled is more serious than being slightly underfilled, especially if you are still losing. I have a long ways to go before I reach goal and I don't want to run out of fill room either. Best wishes, Teresa

Hi Nancy, Glad you made it safe and sound!!! Nice to hear from you. Teresa

Lisa sorry you came out of that wounded. At least you got the irresponsible twit canned... LOL. A friend of mine decided to go take the local motorcycle class a few weeks ago and hers was brutal too. I think that was the weekend we had our first real drencher rain and not only were students slipping and sliding all over but the instructor also slipped and fell on his bike. Not too brilliant to say the least. My poor friend is probably about as heavy as I had started out with the band and probably 25 years older than I am, so I was pretty impressed she was even willing to try to take the class. AMAZED, actually... Unfortunately she didn't pass and spent the entire weekend rather terrified but at least she learned that she really didn't want to ride a bike after all. I was amazed that instructor had lost control of his bike and fell with it. Your experience reminded me of her recent experience... Glad you passed! Job well done girl! Teresa

I have heard of Dr. Mirande too and had called them before being banded to see if they would take me as a patient. They would but it is kind of as a last resort. They are several hours away from my location and I thought they cost a lot. Glad to hear more good things about him though. Teresa

Darcy and Michelle, I think you are both doing great. Good job!!! Teresa

Hi Ruthie, Congratulations to you and your daughter. How cool is that... I would love to have been banded with my mom. Best of luck to you both and to a smooth uneventful surgery. Teresa