Penni60

Lisa: I really doubt that you have erosion. It can take longer than you have had the band to see erosion. But if you are that concerned then get an Endoscopy and have your GP use a diagnosis that the insurance will cover. Looking for Ulcers, etc.

Yup one in the same. Hey email me Penni60@aol.com got some things to discuss with you about the recumbent bike and a couple other things. I am not a happy camper either. But I have made a decision to NOT go back to Lopez for any reason. I am really disgusted with his staff and how they treated me during the last visit. I know he is a decent surgeon and some people will still go to him and not have any problems but not getting in touch with me or you for our problems is UNEXCUSABLE in my book and just plain bad medicine. Thank God I had the presence of mind to ask for a list of Docs that take his patients. BILLY came highly recommended. He is a great guy and I think he is the sweetest thing. Very supportive and concerned that we get this taken care of soon. It was emergent but he did not want to wait till it popped through the skin. Which it would have done. I knew all this when I went to TJ last month. But I was apprehensive about Lopez touching me at that point. So I am glad that Billy is taking care of it for me. I feel better about him diong the surgery than Lopez at this point. And it will be covered by my insurance as well which is a HUGE plus.

PB = Productive Burping. Not necessarily throwing up but not exactly burping either. LOL!! When you burp some of the excess food that could not go through the opening in the upper pouch of the stomach will come out. I am sure someone can explain it better than I just did.

Vera: I think I mis read your post. I am not sure if he does or doesn't take other banded patients. You would have to call and ask his office nurse Sara Lee. 805-648-2227 I know he takes Inamed but not sure on other bands.

Vera: Who told you he doesn't service Inamed bands? That is not true. I have a Inamed and from what he and I discussed that is his predominate cases of patients. He gave me Inamed literature about the band. SO unless something has changed then the info you got is wrong or outdated. I filed my visit on the insurance so I don't know what he charged me but a friend of mine is going to see him in August and she asked him and he is charging her $300 for two fills. Oh and if you need an adjustment after the first fill he does not charge you for the adjustment. I would call his office again and double check on that info regarding Inamed cause that is just not accurate. Maybe they meant midband patients. But I even think he does those as well but then again I could be wrong. I am not wrong about the Inamed because that is what I have and he is certainly taking me as a patient. My friend is an Inamed patient as well and he is taking her as a patient.

Thanks Vera: Of course it makes perfect sense now. LOLOLOL:D :) :D

HI Angela: CONGRATS to you on the 60 lb loss that is awesome. I was banded in April 04 and have lost 42 lbs as of this morning. We are all such losers. LOL!!!!!!

I am sure if I thought about it long and hard I could figure out what it means but I just don't have the brain power right now. So, what does NSV stand for??? HUGE KUDO's to Alex. Great job! Keep it up.

Leatha: You would think the Sternal position would be between the breasts. But I would highly doubt they would position it there. Sternal position is just a landmark notation for the surgeon or whoever is going to access the port of where to look and feel for the port. The port would be very uncomfortable if it was positioned between the breasts. And it could be damaged if the person needed CPR. LOL!!!

Teresa: GOOD LUCK getting your records. Oh when you ask for them make sure they send ENGLISH copies. I had to finally call the hospital where I had the procedure and ask them to send me a copy. LOPEZ' office still has not sent mine. I got mine in the mail the other day and was all excited to read them being an RN you now. Well I realized I can't read SPANISH. LOL!! Everything was in Spanish. NOTHING was in English. So make sure you ask for an ENGLISH copy. I would advise just calling the hospital where you were banded and asking for a copy to be sent to your home. Or to the doc you are going to. Don't wait on Lopez you will never get them. Mind you it isn't him that is the delay it is Carmen and Nora cause they don't get in a hurry for anyone. LOL!! Just my two cents worth.

GOOD suggestions Donali. I know if I was on my blood pressure medications it would keep my heart rate from going up. I had a treadmill test done one time and they told me to not take that pill the morning of the test or they would never get my heart up. So, pay attention to what pills you are taking. I agree with Donali about the aerobic activity. IF I did the stair master right now I would DIE. LOL!!!

Donali: I love the bra. IT is really pretty. LOL!!! The incisions look like they are closed really well. I see what you mean about the dog ear but I think it is mostly inflammation and could go down. I might be wrong but I think it will decrease in size once all the swelling disappears. Scars always look their worst around this time. Get some mederma cream or Vitamin E and put on them.

Alex your girls are gorgeous. I remember when mine were that young. Oh the days of our lives.

donali: I knew you could do it. I would much rather take my own stitches out than have someone else do it for me. I am just that much of a control freak. LOL!!!! Waiting on those pics.

Ya know I just had an idea. Would love feedback on this from you guys. We keep telling our experiences with PBing, doctors, trips, etc. that are funny or at least entertaining. Why not put those into a book. Wouldn't that be a hoot? The proceeds could go into a fund for people that can't afford to pay for the LAP BAND. Thoughts?

Yes mine is easily felt but it is tilted and hard to access for the doc. One of the things we hope to correct with this next surgery. IT is hard and you can feel the edges of it. At least I can feel mine.

Ann: I notice that you are in Southern Calif. Where to be exact? I am in Van Nuys (San Fernando Valley). The reason I ask is there is a support group meeting at my house on the 25th starting at 1p till 4p. You are most welcome to attend. Email me at penni60@aol.com and I will send you directions if you would like to attend. Anyone else interested is welcome as well. It is pot luck and we will exchange clothes. So come and enjoy. Also, I have a pool so bring your bathing suit as well.

Mine is to the right of my belly button (if you are looking at my belly) or the left if I am looking at my belly. And it is mid way between my rib cage and my waste. So not sure about yours. Is Dr. Rumbault gonna do the fill? If so then he should know where it is located. Get him to point it out. Below the waist seems like a weird place for the port and way too low but there might have been something about your anatomy that it needed to be placed there.

Alex: I wish it was local but alas it is under general. They have to go in as if they were banding me. I haven't heard from the nurse yet so I will call her again in the morning and see what we can get accomplished. I will keep you guys posted. Getting my drool rag out and washed. He is really cute. Did I mention that? I am gonna have to get a pic of him and post it here. Then you guys will see what I mean.

Might not hurt to give them a call and let them know. They might just say take them out. Better safe than sorry.

Thank you for that clarification. That is very interesting. Email me and I will share. How long has it been since you had the surgery almost 13 days? The stitches can come out after 10. I used to take mine out myself all the time. Sharp scissors and a couple of cuts and voila' they can be pulled out. Just remember to grab the knot and pull with that end not the other way around. OUCH!! Did that once. I had a stitch embed once after my tubal. Wasn't a pretty picture and man did it hurt getting that sucker out. It didn't last long but it was tender while they did it.

Donali: The stitches sound like they are embedding into the skin. It just means that they might hurt some when they are removed. Hey, got a question for you. Do you have a friend by the name of Diane Beck? I heard from Anita Jordan from Belighter.com that she is the US liason for Dr. Lopez now. Is that true? Just curious!!

Terry, you make a good point. Initially we were discussing only sending in funny stories. But the more I have thought about it ANY story you want to share will be good. The story of your daughter's wreck is an awesome one and how you reflected on it. Send that to me in an email. Penni60@aol.com Send any and all stories everyone. Good, Funny, Bad, Reflective, Inspirational, Supportive, etc. Send your full name, email, date of banding, beginning weight and present weight along with how much you have lost with the email.

Terry: I am so thankful that your daughter was not injured severely in the car wreck. That is a scary issue. I will keep both you and your family in my prayers.

OOPS!!!