Iluvharleys

Welcome Nicole! It sounds like you are doing great!

Whoooo Hoooo! I have been waiting all day to hear something!

Whoooo Hooooo! I'll bet that is a load off your back! Congrats to you!

I go to Dr. Provost in Dallas, he is really good!

OK I hope I can remember everything he said! 1. Carbonation: Does it cause erosion? Does it stretch the pouch? Or do we avoid it simply because it causes gas pains? It only stretches the pouch temporily, the problem is that it stretches it enough to make the opening larger therefore you are able to eat more. It cannot cause erosion. 2. Alcohol: Does it cause erosion, or do we avoid it because it's empty calories? Alcohol does not cause erosion, but can cause problems if your liver/pancreas gets bad that could cause problems with the band in the long run. However, smoking is much worse than the alcohol. It is also because of all the empty calories. 3. Drinking before and after meals: How long to wait after eating? What are their reasons for these rules? He would like to see two hours after eating to drink, but it is only because they want the food to stay in the pouch longer. If you eat too soon, it will empty your pouch causing you to want to eat sooner. 4. NSAIDs - is there any new information regarding them causing erosion? Yes, NSAIDS can cause erosion! 5. Slippage: Any information on what causes slippage. I know we are supposed to avoid vomitting, but what if we get a stomach bug? What are the signs/symptoms, etc. Slippage is caused mostly by wrenching/throwing up pretty hard. That causes the band to turn and flip. That is why it is so important to let your band heal in place really good at the beginning. The signs of slippage are not being able to drink Water or eat without throwing up, being in a lot of pain, or eating and not getting full (not having any restriction and you won't have any signs with this one). 6. What if anything is new in the last 6 months? They are now using the Vanguard band and think it is a better band. The swedish band is coming out real soon too. OK, that is what I found out, so it will be interesting to see what anyone else finds out too.

Liquids the remainder of the day of my fill and solids the next day!

Hey, if your doctor said you can have it, then do it. Most doctors say liquids only so that you can heal properly. The first few weeks of healing is very important to your band. You might want to double check and see if the first week really includes that stuff. You should always do what your doctor tells you to do, not what you read on here, each doctor has a different set of rules.

Angie - You probably shouldn't be on applesauce yet, only liquids. Did your doctor tell you what to eat? Usually right after surgery at least for a week it is Clear Liquids, such as broth, juices, popcicles, Water, coffee, tea. Not everyone gets the shoulder pain, only some of us do. You are one of the lucky ones if you don't get it. The port area is the longest to heal up, so it will get better each day, but usually takes a few weeks at least to start feeing a lot better. I am happy to hear you had a pretty good surgery! Good luck to Larry! I hope his goes as well as yours!

Becky - we are counting the hours with you! Don't forget to come and post when you feel up to it.

Joe great news! Good luck on your appointment, and keep us posted!

You will be fine! When I had my surgery they took me off my BP medicine and didn't put me back on it till after I went home for a few days. My BP went down really low while I was in the hospital even off the meds. And, I didn't have to take one of my BP pills anymore at all. If they thought for one moment that your surgery was a bad risk, they wouldn't do it! Sometimes I think they just need to keep some of that stuff to themselves!

A heating pad works wonders with the shoulder, and the more you walk, the better the gas pains get.

Good Luck, please let us know when you hear something.

Rachel - Ask the attendent before you sit down for a seatbelt extension, they will give it to you descretely. Eat before you get on the plane and you won't have to worry about putting your tray down. You can always hold a drink it you need to get one. Don't worry so much about it, and just enjoy yourself, it isn't worth all the worry and pain you put yourself through!

Wyld - Great job! You should be very proud of yourself!

What a cutie! It doesn't sound serious, but checking it out is a good idea. Please let us know what the doctor tells her.

I was breast fed, I also breast fed my two boys and they are skinny as a rail!

It will be here before you know it! Did you put your name on the May list? I am glad you are finally going to have your day!

Nykee you can do this, sometimes we just need someone to point out what we need to do. Sometimes the seeing what we need to do makes us understand it better. Try eating your Protein first now and see if it doesn't help you. You have gotten great advice from Michelle and Alex, now just put that to work for you!

Glad you are feeling better!

Welcome back! You were missed!

Becky - Please don't dwell on the few that had problems, the majority of us didn't have any problems at all. You will do just fine!

That is great Penni! I know that makes you feel really good! :banana I would take a 2 pound gain anytime I was on the road at all!

I had to go to lunch, and run errands for the boss! 1. What is your first name? Betty 2. How long have you been banded? 6 months 3. How much weight have you lost? 56 pounds 4. What was your favorite food pre-banding? Mexican - pizza - Crawfish 5. What is your favorite food now? Mexican still but eat it different and crawfish 6. Are there any foods you can't or don't eat? I don't do bread, rice, or as many potatoes but only because I choose not to. 7. What is your favorite snack food? Apples/Popcorn and Ice cream when I can work it in! 8. Has your SO changed towards you in any way since you were banded? No, but I catch him looking at me and smiling more. 9. What are some of the things you can do now that you couldn't do before? Walk as much as I want, climb stairs w/o feeling like I need oxygen, bend over and tie my shoes, just be a normal person. 10. Do you have any pets? What kind? I have fish in a pond outside the front door 11. Wht would your dream vacation be if you could go anywhere you wanted? I have always wanted to go to Hawaii 12. If you won a million dollars, what would be the first thing you would do with it? Pay off all my bills so I could quit work, help the rest of the family with their bills. 13. What are your favorite books to read? Health books, romance novels. 14. What is your favorite TV program? ER and CSI

Vent away! Just remember that your health is number one right now! Good things come to those who wait, so just do what you need to do to be healthy, and then get your band.