New Hope

Teresa, how are you doing from the effects of your car wreck?

Alice, I agree! The band is made to work w/hard proteins. Soft foods go right through and leave you hungrier sooner. Just a tiny unfill will make all of the difference in your ability to eat the right foods. Good for you for "thinking"!

Your best bet will be to contact your Benefits Coordinator for the specifics.

Best of luck to you, Dlynn. Remember, we didn't get this way over night and it may take a bit to get the band. But certainly worth the wait! Did you ever find out about where your dr. does the procedure? You had asked earlier about an "in-office" procedure.

Congratulations! Please post and let us know how you're doing when you feel like it.

Marsha, you might pm "Jack". He's a diabetic bandster and can give you some excellent advice. Best of luck to you!

Wow, Lauren! Just look at that window, it says it all....As much difference as day AND night! You are beautiful!

I'm happier, more content, more outgoing, more compassionate to others. I'm a lot healthier, less health problems, less prescriptions (and their side effects and costs). I enjoy clothes shopping now - a much wider variety of styles and colors. I look forward to what I'm going to go do, not just what I'm going to go eat. I smile a lot more and notice complete strangers smiling back at me.

Congratulations to that next step...Mushies!! Hey, great weight loss, girl!

Now that's an NSV to brag about! And we all know how those men's jeans are cut. Good for you!!

Norma, have you had earlier digestive problems? Perhaps you should mention this to your dr. An endoscope is a tiny laproscopic camera that they can run and see what's going on inside. The "upper" scope checks your esophagus and tummy. The "lower" scope checks your several feet of intestines. It could be that the problems you're having are not band related. I have irritable bowel syndrome and take meds for that (and had it pre-band). There are several other problems that can cause some of the symptoms you're describing. Your dr. would be the one that can give you accurate answers. I do hope you find out what's going on and can start feeling better. have you tried over the counter Gas-X to see if that helps?

Norma, you do realize that you'll have to go through another surgery to have the band removed? And a recouperation period? And you'll have no means of restriction to help you control how much and what type of foods. You'll revert back to your old ways of eating. Please give yourself time to get over the initial surgery. Not everyone has the bleching and farts. I never have had those problems. Best of luck to you. If you don't give yourself an honest try, you'll never know if this was the right thing to do or not.

I wanted to share an e-mail that I rec'd from Philip (Blossom's husband today). He states that he has no problem with any information that we have shared on this thread. He has been honored, comforted, and overwhelmed by the outpour of love. He is happy and proud when he reads all the posts of sympathy and condolences. He said that he could use a prayer or two sent his way and that he will keep in touch. He is truly a remarkable man!

You are doing amazing, girl!! And that pintos and cheese is going to taste so good to you. Keep up the good work!

Norma, what is an average day's menu for you? Are you eating solids now? Are you doing non-food related activities with your time now? Have you thought about seeking counseling for living w/your band? You have really had a struggle and that might be very beneficial to you. There's a lot of mental work to do along w/the physical part of living w/ our band and our new life style changes. Best of luck to you in your decisions.

I don't weigh or measure my foods. I prepare my meal on a salad plate or saucer and that seems an adequate amount.

Welcome, Kara, we have a lot of TX bandsters here...all good folks! Who did your banding and how much weight would you like to lose?

Corgi, congratulations!! I too had a lot of pain that first night. I was glad I stayed in the hospital so I could use the bariatric bar over my bed to pull myself in and out of bed. That really helped. Did you feel like a turtle stuck on your back? It really will get better. Please keep sipping and walking. That will help w/the bleching too. You're an honest to goodness bandster now! Yeah!

Hope, Capitol One offers low interest financing. You might check their website. A lot of drs. will have their application form in their office. Good luck!

It will be a lot easier just getting one eye done. I let my eyes rest that evening, but was back the next day, no problems. I was required to have someone w/me to be released, since they gave me valium (relaxant) for the procedure.

Lauren, that's a wonderful milestone! Keep up the great job!

Oh, Jamie, that makes me hurt just reading about it! Healing (((Hugs))) to both of you. One thing, don't say "What else can happen?" That is a guaranteed jinx and you'll find out (speaking from experience). Take care and BOTH of you, please get well.

Hi, Heather, I responded to your other thread. You might want to delete one so you'll get more responses. It avoids confusion to posters. So glad to hear all is going well for you.

Waving right back at you and hoping for an easy approval process. How much weight would you like to lose? Please keep us posted how things are going. Best of luck to you.

Yeah, Grammi! Now get that date and let us know! So happy for you.